From being judged as “lazy” to worrying about a partner’s reaction to a CPAP machine, we’re breaking down the shame & stigma of sleep apnea––together. 

In this powerful discussion, we address the issues no one is talking about. Young people can feel confused or even embarrassed by this diagnosis, often associating it with older adults. 

We dive into the emotional side of living with sleep apnea and how we can help change the narrative.

This conversation is part of Sleep Apnea: Let’s Face It!, a campaign launched by Project Sleep to shatter stereotypes and showcase real faces of people living with sleep apnea.

To learn more and to participate in the campaign, visit https://project-sleep.com/sleep-apnea-lets-face-it/.

About our Guests:

Jason Webb

Jason Webb lives in North Queensland with his girlfriend and comes from a family of four, including a younger brother. He enjoys gardening, fishing, and traveling. Diagnosed with moderate obstructive sleep apnea at 28 after experiencing symptoms for about a year, he faced numerous challenges in understanding and managing his condition. With no specialist in his rural town, he struggled to navigate his diagnosis alone. He has undergone nasal surgery to correct a deviated septum, battled depression, and now happily wears a CPAP every night. Having faced these obstacles firsthand, he is passionate about helping others on their sleep apnea journey, so they don’t have to go through the same struggles alone.

Edgar Castro Tello

Edgar Castro Tello is Venezuelan born and raised, but now calls Tampa, Florida his more humid, tropical home, where he lives with his partner, Frankie. He’s an environmental scientist with a passion for programs and policy in the field of refuse and waste reduction. His career started in environmental consulting with migratory birds and informal education in zoos, quickly falling in love with public service and policy change. He was diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea in 2016 at the age of 25; a diagnosis that was too late in the making. Edgar hopes his story will shed some light on the prevalence of sleeping disorders in the gay bear community and early signs from teenage years.

Learn more about Project Sleep’s partnership with Hollywood, Health & Society for accurate sleep disorder depictions on TV: https://project-sleep.com/hollywood-sleep-initiative/

This conversation was recorded in June 2023.

What does LGBTQ+ identity have to do with sleep? More than you might think. Experiences shared by many LGBTQ+ people can affect sleep health and sleep disorders in challenging and often invisible ways. Our fantastic panel of community members shares how their identities and sleep are closely intertwined.

This discussion is part of Project Sleep’s ongoing commitment to advancing sleep equity through real stories and lived experiences. Learn more about sleep equity and ways to promote healthy sleep for all: https://project-sleep.com/sleep-equity/.

If you are an LGBTQ+ adult age 18 or older, we invite you to share your experiences in our LGBTQ+ Sleep Survey. Your insights will directly inform future advocacy and awareness campaigns. Take the survey and share it with your community: https://project-sleep.com/lgbtq-sleep-survey/

Need support? Reach out to Project Sleep’s Sleep Helpline: https://project-sleep.com/helpline/

During Project Sleep’s Sleep In 2024, narcolepsy community leader, writer, and artist extraordinaire, Tatiana Maria Corbitt, joined us to speak to their narcolepsy journey and artistic endeavors. During this interview, Tatiana also shares one of their favorite poems about their experience with narcolepsy in the outdoors.

About Tatiana:
Tatiana Maria Corbitt is a writer and multidisciplinary artist living in the Pacific Northwest. They have a M.S. in Applied Biological Sciences from Arizona State University. In addition to being published on narcolepsy.sleep-disorders.net and in “Blood Sweat Tears," which can be ordered at https://www.ruggedoutdoorswoman.com/online-store/?aff=4 (please put “narcolepsy” in the purchase notes so that Tatiana can be partially credited for any sales), Tatiana recently published their first poetry book. “Wild Brujeria" includes many references to living with narcolepsy, and can be purchased at https://www.curiouscorvidpublishing.com/product-page/wild-brujeria?srsltid=AfmBOoqFtlUfh_NvqN22JKLNN5qTBeocnzqDsCwvbh4CyBAHsFXw0ICc.

Tatiana is currently writing an autobiographical fictional fantasy novel starring a queer and narcoleptic ex-scientist who hikes into a new world (release date to be determined) and spends their days reading, napping, writing, painting, and hiking with their German shepherd service dog.

Project Sleep's Sleep Helpline: https://project-sleep.com/helpline/

Project Sleep's Sleep Helpline: https://project-sleep.com/helpline/

Karen Wolk

Karen Wolk was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea in late 2015 at the age of 44. Karen first tried using CPAP therapy for two years and had problems adapting to it. 

Karen’s doctor suggested that a hypoglossal nerve stimulator could be a good treatment option for her, and she received her Inspire implant in July 2018. Following her successful implant, Karen is back to working full-time and enjoying life to the fullest. Her memory has drastically improved, and she no longer falls asleep unintentionally during the day.

Karen is the mother of three adult children and three dogs. She works full-time managing a Petco store and uses her story to help others as a volunteer patient ambassador for Inspire Medical Systems. Karen is also an Advisor at the Alliance of Sleep Apnea Partners.

Dr. Meredith Broderick, MD

Dr. Meredith Broderick is a triple board-certified sleep neurologist based in Seattle, WA.  Her passion is combining holistic, preventative, allopathic, and behavioral sleep medicine to optimize health and wellness.  In her personal life, she is passionate about the performing arts and outdoor adventure, and she has climbed some of the highest mountains on planet Earth.  She sees patients one-on-one from her boutique sleep practice, Sound Sleep Guru, and shares from her life and tips as a sleep medicine physician on Instagram and TikTok @sleepdoctormer.

Jody Martin is a husband, Marine Corps veteran, and business owner. He lives in Texas with his wife of 30 years, Rachel. In 2019, Jody underwent testing in a sleep clinic and received a diagnosis of severe obstructive sleep apnea. After a difficult start to CPAP therapy, Jody abandoned it.

Later, when he tried to get help, he was told he would have to go through the entire process again, starting with his primary care doctor. It was a process he was unwilling to repeat. That was until he discovered Lofta, an online sleep apnea home testing company, and was able to go through testing, diagnosis, and getting set up on CPAP therapy entirely from home and with the support of Lofta staff. Jody is passionate about sharing his journey to encourage other people living with undiagnosed sleep apnea to learn about their testing options and get the testing, diagnosis, and treatment they need.

Andrea Ramberg MS, CCSH, RPSGT