A young Laois teenager has opened up about his rare brain condition in a bid to raise awareness.
Yesterday, September 22, was World Narcolepsy Day – and this is a condition that Dara Bray Egan from Portlaoise suffers with.
The 15-year-old, who is a Fifth Year student in Portlaoise College, also has Cataplexy.
Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological condition which occurs when the brain cannot control the sleep/wake cycle.
While Cataplexy is the sudden and brief loss of muscle tone and strength.
Dara has opened up about his experience of the two brain conditions in a bid to educate others.
He said: “When i was four-years-old, I began having symptoms of narcolepsy. These ranged from falling asleep after school to not being able to stay awake on car journeys.
“When I was eleven, my symptoms began to effect my school work and I had to attend Temple Street hospital for tests.
“I was finally diagnosed with narcolepsy and cataplexy after several sleep study tests and a lumbar puncture.
Narcolepsy greatly disrupts my daily life due to the excessive daytime sleepiness.
“It causes sleep paralysis, hallucinations, disrupted sleep and affects my concentration.
Cataplexy is triggered by strong emotions such as laughter, embarrassment or stress. I am fully conscious during an attack but i am unable to talk.
“Cataplexy attacks last from several seconds to minutes. The severity of the attacks can vary from minor weakness to the loss of all muscle control.”
Dara also explained how he manages his condition through medication and scheduled naps – and he thanks his school Portlaoise College for all they do to help him.
He said: “My daily routine consists of medication and scheduled naps.
“Naps are not always possible and has to be worked around a school timetable.
“This is where the school needs to be flexible in accommodating my needs with subject exemptions and a room to sleep in to allow me to focus on my most important subjects.
“Portlaoise College has used this day to raise awareness and educate the teachers and students and give a better understanding of my condition.
“All this would not be possible only for my year head Amanda Cripps who has been so supportive and understanding.
“My school life would be very difficult and i would be struggling without her support.”
Dara also called for people to take the brain condition seriously and asked them not to make fun of those who have it.
He said: “Narcolepsy is not funny or contagious. It is not like how it is portrayed in the movies.
“It shouldn’t be used as a modifier in the game Mortal Kombat.
“Narcolepsy is a serious brain disorder and should be treated accordingly.
“I’ve had to come to terms with the realization of how narcolepsy and cataplexy has and will affect me for the rest of my life.”
