Wide Awake and Dreaming

A Memoir of Narcolepsy

By: Julie Flygare

Narrated by: Julie Flygare

Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Julie Flygare was on an ambitious path to success, entering law school at age 22, when narcolepsy destroyed the neurological boundaries between dreaming and reality in her brain. She faced terrifying hallucinations, paralysis, and excruciating sleepiness, aspects of dream sleep taking place while wide awake.

Yet, narcolepsy was a wake-up call for Julie. Her illness propelled her onto a journey she never imagined, from lying paralyzed on her apartment floor to dancing euphorically at a nightclub; from the classrooms of Harvard Medical School to the start line of the Boston Marathon.

Winner of the San Francisco Book Festival Award for Biography/Autobiography, Wide Awake and Dreaming is a revealing first-hand account of dreams gone wrong with narcolepsy. It's the brave story of one woman trampling over barriers and finding light in the darkest of circumstances.

©2012 Mill Pond Swan Publishing (P)2018 Mill Pond Swan Publishing

Thank you

I was diagnosed 4 months ago after my symptoms started 22 years ago. It was a long hard journey and the treatment is tough. Thank you for writing this book, it helps with the anxiety of dealing with this diagnosis and wondering what’s all this tingling. Now I know and will work on trying to recognize and control what emotions bring it on. Thank you Julie from the bottom of my heart

Wide Awake and Loving This Book!

To call Julie Flygare’s memoir brave, beautiful and inspiring doesn’t do it justice. I was riveted by her story of first discovering, then living with and ultimately thriving with her narcolepsy. As her symptoms came on and progressed they went from embarrassing to frightening and even life-threatening. I love reading about people who’ve triumphed over seemingly insurmountable obstacles and this book did not disappoint. It was especially interesting to hear the story narrated in the author’s own voice. She did a beautiful job conveying her fear, confusion, struggle and finally her acceptance of her challenges and the sweetness of her victories. Nicely done and well worth a listen!

Very relatable

As I have Narcolepsy Type 2 (no cataplexy thankfully), this book was like listening to my own story, my own journey to diagnosis, my own decision to change career paths because of the need to balance what can get done in a day without borrowing from tomorrow. That was by far the most profound statement in the whole book and really hit home. Thank you for sharing your story and helping so many others understand.

Outstanding account of thriving with narcolepsy

I am so glad I had the opportunity to hear this account on Audible.
I am a PWN - person with narcolepsy, and have been a fan of the author since my diagnosis.
Her account is beautifully written and is a wonderful description of all that we have to balance with our health, meditation, sleep, eating, exercise, social lives, and psychological well-being.
This is not only a book for PWNs, but for all of us since narcolepsy is so under-diagnosed, and most PWNs who receive a diagnosis often are misdiagnosed for 8 to 15 years on average.
I was misdiagnosed by well-meaning providers for about 30 years until I was finally sent to a neurologist and received the diagnosis of Type I Narcolepsy with Catoplexy.

thank you Julie xoxo

I enjoyed Julie's book tremendously. I had only found ber book by a search on narcolepsy. then I read in the narcolepsy info sight they recommended it too. I'm glad I heard this book. after so many years of being ignored and 'its all about your meds' I have found a Dr to take me seriously. threw this book I know understand why my body has given out with cataplecy and my need for so much sleep. the book and finding my understanding Dr I can now move forward in my understanding of narcolepsy. thank you julie

loved this

I really enjoyed this book. As a PWN this book is very relatable. I believe it would be insightful and entertaining to anyone, with or without narcolepsy. I love that her writing style feels poetic at times.
So glad I found this book!

Wish I'd listened sooner!

Listening to this book was the first time I have ever had the opportunity to hear someone recount their experience being diagnosed and living with narcolepsy.

It was so interesting to think through the parralels between Julie's experience and the experience I went through being diagnosed and living with narcolepsy.

While no two people's experiences are the same, I feel as though this book was incredibly helpful for me to think through how to explain what I am feeling when I experience narcolepsy and cataplexy.

An important story to be known

Julie is a strong, smart and inspiring face of what it's like to come face to face with a narcolepsy diagnosis. She brings light to this invisible disorder and breaks the bonds of isolation, bringing hope to those of us who struggle alone with it. Thank you Julie.

Really Inspiring Book

I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook of Julia Flygare's memoir and it was profoundly astonishing. I loved listening to Julia's story and coming from a person with Narcolepsy w/Cataplexy; the book was very relatable.

The REAL Narcolepsy

Julie was able to put into words all the experiences of narcolepsy with cataplexy that I have struggled to explain to others. Her narration style may not be professional level, but hearing her words from her made it more personal. Anyone with narcolepsy, the family and friends of those affected, and medical professionals should read/listen to this book to better understand what this disorder does to us and how to recognize it sooner. More awareness may mean better medication or a cure one day.