Join us September 22, 2025 on World Narcolepsy Day for an insightful panel discussion on navigating life transitions with narcolepsy. We will explore strategies for managing challenges and maintaining balance. Learn how to advocate for yourself and how to tap into key resources that can make a difference. Together, we will discuss practical approaches to balancing life’s demands while honoring your health and well-being.

This discussion is perfect for people starting college, navigating career changes, or approaching next-steps.

Our Facilitator:

Dr. Maggie Blattner MD, PhD will join the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN as a Senior Associate Consultant in Sleep Medicine in October 2025. Currently, she is a neurologist and sleep medicine physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and a clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School. She earned her MD and PhD in neuroscience from the University of Illinois, completed neurology residency at Washington University in St. Louis, and pursued fellowships in sleep medicine and sleep/circadian physiology at Beth Israel Deaconess. Her clinical and research interests focus on women’s health and central disorders of hypersomnolence, including narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia.

Our Speakers:

Desireé Gorbea-Finalet MA, came to North Carolina from Puerto Rico in 2017, bringing her passion and tenacity with her. Her passion for disability rights advocacy stems from her lived experience with multiple disabilities, including numerous TBIs and having Narcolepsy Type 1. She has worked for Disability Rights North Carolina since 2021 as their Brain Injury Researcher and Project Director for the NC BRAINS statewide program. She has been committed to public service for 10 years and believes it is her calling.

Ishika Sachdeva has become a strong voice for awareness and advocacy since she was diagnosed with narcolepsy type 1, drawing on her own journey to support others navigating chronic illness. An active member of Narcolepsy Network since 2017 and a former Youth Ambassador, she is passionate about building community and sharing strategies for resilience. She brings her educational and professional experiences, and her current transition toward law school, to inspire conversations about balance, self-advocacy, and growth.

Tori Williams is a former Youth Ambassador for Narcolepsy Network and is from Jacksonville, Florida. She is currently working to establish a career in banking after transitioning from a retail background and is navigating the challenges that come with living with Narcolepsy Type 1. She has come to know the importance of being your own advocate through this and other experiences since being diagnosed in 2015 and strives to empower others to know their needs and educate their communities.

Thank you to our Education and Awareness sponsors and partners: