Lessons from Narcolepsy: How to Snooze and Not Lose | Lum-Awah Atang Arrey | TEDxAliefStudio

NOTE FROM TED: Please do not look to this talk for health advice. This talk only represents the speaker's personal beliefs and understanding of narcolepsy and meditation, which currently lacks sufficient scientific support. We've flagged this talk because it falls outside the content guidelines TED gives TEDx organizers. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/t...
Narcolepsy is a rare condition, only affecting less than 1% of the United States population. It is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness & sudden attacks of sleep. Lum-Awah Atang Arrey recollects her silent battle with this disease. She narrates her secret struggle to overcome the conflict between her aspirations and the reality of the effect of her condition on her daily life.
In her emotional story, Lum-Awah shares some of the unexpected lessons she learned from living with Narcolepsy. Her inspirational journey will challenge you to shift your perspective on dealing with adversity. You will learn, through her powerful story, how to succeed amid setbacks. And at the very end, you will be left with a powerful tool that will enable you to navigate the challenges of life and transform all of life’s disruptions into beneficial experiences every day. Lum-Awah Atang Arrey is a mother of 3, a Sunday School Teacher, and an Entrepreneur. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from Prairie View A&M University and a Master’s Degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health. Her career in Public Health spans from the Health Department to the hospital where she served as an Epidemiologist & Infection Control Practitioner, respectively. Each role focused on improving health outcomes in the greater community and reducing the risk of infections in the patient population. Although she loved the opportunity she had to make a positive impact, the healthcare space just did not give her the flexibility that she needed. Therefore, she decided to transition into the Real Estate industry. When she is not fulfilling her Basketball/Football/Dance Mom duties, Lum-Awah is the Senior Managing Partner of Legacy Estates International real estate investment company and volunteers with the Houston Food Bank. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@djsmdsleep]

I am a sleep doctor, and Narcolepsy is my specialty. I love this talk! Very inspirational! I will share it with my clients and suggest others view it in my upcoming book "Wake Up Sleepy Head! Diagnosing, Understanding, and Navigating Narcolepsy" Thank you for your insight into this disorder! Debra Stultz MD

[@lum-awaharrey269]

Thank you, Dr. Stulz! I would love to read your book when it is published. This is a topic that needs more media attention. i would like to talk to you more about your work.

[@ReceiveTheKingMinistries]

Thank you for sharing your light! I’m so encouraged!

[@mabr789]

Lum- Awah I am so proud to see you on the TED Talk stage educating all of us. I appreciate you teaching about Narcolepsy while also sharing your journey. Your tools will help many people over come many challenges beyond just Narcolepsy. You are brilliant, beautiful, hard working, and a great mother. God will continue to bless you and the children

[@lum-awaharrey269]

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement! It was an honor to share my experience.

[@azieatang423]

Your vulnerability is so courageous. Thank you for being so transparent to the world. You don’t know how many people you’re helping.

[@lum-awaharrey269]

Thank you!🙏🏿

[@babashabazz5765]

Beautiful and courageous presentation. I have been narcoleptic for 40 years . Lum you have described my journey and soul.❤ I have failed a million times and can’t wait to try again 💪🏾

[@lum-awaharrey269]

I'm so glad my talk resonated with you! Keep "failing" forward. I wish you all the best!

[@GAllanRoberts]

Thank you for this important video. I recovered from narcolepsy 18 months ago, after a decade of suffering from this terrible condition. It cause me to change my career as graphic designer. At the end I fell fast asleep standing simply by blinking and same happen while driving. The final event was when I fell asleep behind the wheel for 30 seconds and I opened my eyes face to face with Mack truck. I called my friend who put me a special diet plan. 90 days later I had lost 45 lbs and my Narcolepsy was gone. I am grateful everyday I am 100% focused on my health. Thank you again.

[@lum-awaharrey269]

My understanding, from my Neurologist, is that the symptoms can improve but not complete recovery from Narcolepsy. I'm glad to hear you are doing well.

[@carlaeskridge8365]

Great presentation! I too have Narcolepsy & can relate to your experiences. It took 20 years for me to be diagnosed. Being followed by a Sleep Disorder Clinic. Retiring end of this year after being a registered nurse for 40 years! God Bless You in your journey with having Narcolepsy!

[@lum-awaharrey269]

Wow! I know how difficult it can be not knowing the reason for the constant exhaustion. I'm glad you finally got the diagnosis & hopefully your treatment is helping. Thanks for sharing!

[@princesst6002]

I was diagnosed 13 yrs ago but I can remember sleepwalking as a child about 6 or 7 yrs old. Fast forward and my youngest daughter and I did our sleep studies the same night and no shocker we both have it. It is a constant battle for me. I work in healthcare myself and everyone thinks it's something funny or minor but just one night with paralysis and that would definitely change their minds. Thank you for being an outstanding role model and someone to look up to.

[@lum-awaharrey269]

Thank you for sharing your experience as well. I have always been concerned about the possibility of my children having the same condition. It breaks my heart but I hope you are both getting the treatment you need to thrive.

[@cessa1309]

Thank you so much for sharing your truth with us! So many lessened learned.

[@lum-awaharrey269]

Thank you for watching. I appreciate your kind words & support!

[@seemab6576]

Same here. Got scoldings from teacher for sleeping in class. Got dismissed from work for inefficiency in work. Got insulted from family people for sleeping during daytime. Nobody understands that i do not want to sleep but not in mu control to stay awake. Afraid of taking a desk job. Cannot get training as i am not able to sit with wakefullness continuously for hours. The tainer misunderstands me to be not interested. So not able to acquire any special skill. Trying to find a soliuton for this condition. Not found anything still.

[@lum-awaharrey269]

This is a very difficult journey & so easily misunderstood by anyone who has not walked in your shoes. I'm still figuring it out myself & can only encourage you to keep searching for solutions that will work for you. All the best!

[@mayauwu8628]

Beautiful video Lum! I have liked and shared the video. Thank you for sharing your story. As Africans we tend to sweep a lot of issues that concern our families under the rug. I am definitely so proud of you for speaking up. God Bless you and your family! Love ❤️ you, Yvonne

[@lum-awaharrey269]

I appreciate your support!

[@feliciabradley1777]

Phenomenal!! I like how you used newly installed “mindfulness meditation” software to redirect negativity. Also, I like how you explained that brokenness & failures can be embraced platforms to promote achievements.

[@lum-awaharrey269]

Thank you for watching! 🙏🏿 I appreciate your support & kind words!

[@jacquelinembanya6141]

Very inspiring, thanks for sharing 👍🏿

[@lum-awaharrey269]

Thank you!

[@helenfusi8215]

I love the aspect of not looking failure as a bad thing but as a learning curve . Thanks for sharing love. ❤❤

[@lum-awaharrey269]

Thank you for your support!

[@cidolineehunyi6872]

Thank for sharing your experience.

[@lum-awaharrey269]

Thank you for taking the time to watch and share my talk! Stay blessed!

[@chimdimmaohiri]

Great talk, Lum Awah!!! Well done

[@lum-awaharrey269]

Thank you!

[@kaya2549]

Very bold introspective with much inspiration.

[@lum-awaharrey269]

Thank you for the kind words! Keep sharing the video.

[@mariefongwa9972]

Thank you for sharing your lived experience with a challenging condition, Lum. You have named it, demonstrated how to successfully live with it and not let it take over life completely. Your bravery, concrete examples, and powerful presentation will do many so much good. Joining many to thank you for the decision to share.

[@lum-awaharrey269]

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts! I appreciate your kind words!

[@lumn1]

Amazing video!!! So inspiring

[@lum-awaharrey269]

Thank you for watching! Stay blessed!

[@geraldineessombe2929]

Thanks for sharing your experiences with the rest of us.

[@lum-awaharrey269]

Thank you for watching! Continue to share the video.

[@EmemWashington]

Love the lessons we all can learn from your experience. Thank you.

[@lum-awaharrey269]

Yes! Thank you for your support!

[@thereset4490]

Great presentation Lum Awah and thank you for sharing your experience and solutions 🙏🏾❤️

[@lum-awaharrey269]

Thank you! 🙏🏿

[@arreyobenson4009]

Nothing is more powerful than learning from one’s experiences to grow. The mind is a powerful tool. Thanks for sharing!

[@lum-awaharrey269]

Yes! Thank you for your insight & support!

[@rourketraining]

This was an excellent talk and shared valuable thoughts.

[@lum-awaharrey269]

Thank you for your support!

[@elizabethnangmenyi5432]

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Great presentation, Lum.

[@lum-awaharrey269]

Thank you for your support!

[@futureleaders-usa]

Awesome. Informative and truly a very serious subject to discuss further. A lot of people suffer from this without knowing what they are going through. Imagine those in Africa and other 3rd world countries. But hey...the world need to know more. Don't stop here. Connect and seek partnership with medical professionals and therapists in this field to work with them. Start writing about this..via blogs/vlogs

[@lum-awaharrey269]

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. I have been connecting with different organizations & one already reached out to me! I appreciate your support in sharing the video with your network. Thank you!