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S3E5 Lisa's Story: From Falling Asleep at Work to Entrepreneur
Manage episode 487801686 series 3564242
In this heartfelt episode of Narcolepsy Navigators, Kerly sits down with Lisa Isaac, an inspiring woman living with narcolepsy type 1 and cataplexy in New Zealand. From her days as a sporty teenager needing frequent naps, to being misdiagnosed with epilepsy, Lisa shares her winding journey to an accurate diagnosis — and how she finally found community and support.
Lisa opens up about:
- Her move from the UK to New Zealand
- Being dismissed by doctors and labeled "lazy"
- Her struggle with cataplexy triggered by laughter
- The challenges of living in a country with few specialists
- How creativity became her unexpected lifeline
Lisa’s story is a testament to resilience, advocacy, and the power of finding community. Her laughter is infectious, her honesty is refreshing, and her advice for others is invaluable.
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***If you find these symptoms relatable, please seek medical advice.***
Chapters
1. S3E5 Lisa's Story: From Falling Asleep at Work to Entrepreneur (00:00:00)
2. The first signs and misdiagnosis (00:05:09)
3. Cataplexy’s impact on daily life (00:08:21)
4. Self-diagnosis and finding the right doctor (00:12:23)
5. Living with narcolepsy in New Zealand (00:17:09)
6. Family support and finding her creative passion (00:22:34)
7. Challenges with vaccinations and autoimmune conditions (00:31:49)
8. Would she press the red button? (00:44:27)
38 episodes
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