More education needed about narcolepsy

Monday, June 13, 2005

I am writing in regard to the article on narcolepsy on May 15. I know what it's like to suffer from narcolepsy. I was diagnosed with it six years ago.

This has changed my life dramatically, I used to be totally independent. I'd drive anywhere, go shopping, read books, do crafts, etc. But now I depend mostly on my fiance and my daughter-in-law to cart me around, as I will fall asleep just going 10 miles. Shopping is a huge chore. I can't even get around Wal-Mart; I get too tired. Crafting is very hard, as I will lose consciousness. What a mess I make. Reading or watching TV, I might as well go to bed.

There is so much to narcolepsy; I would do anything to see that people get better educated on this disease. People hear that you have narcolepsy, and they say, "Oh yeah, you get tired." I wish that was all there was to it. Being tired with narcolepsy isn't like a normal tiredness.

My great concern is that teachers need to be educated about this. I fear that there are many children with narcolepsy who are being labeled as lazy. Wayne Worcester, the writer of the article in Sunday's paper, says the government has a name for people like him -- dangerous. That really offended me. However, people who have it and aren't aware of it could be dangerous or in danger.

People need to get educated about this disease.

Brenda Norton

Pittston