Unexplained

Abigail Plaskett

This project is a visual reflection of my experience living with Narcolepsy Type 1. The images are sequenced in a way that shows my experience from when I had no idea there was a problem, to when I was going through the process of getting my diagnosis and finally getting to a point where I’ve found treatment that allows me to function fully in my day-to-day life.

Narcolepsy Type 1 is caused by the loss of brain cells that produce hypocretin (orexin), a neurotransmitter responsible for regulating wakefulness and sleep. Narcolepsy Type 1 is also known as Narcolepsy with Cataplexy. During these Cataplexy attacks, I can collapse, drop whatever I’m holding, and temporarily lose control of my body. It happens when I experience an intense emotion, usually laughing. The worst attack was when I almost drowned when someone made me laugh while I was swimming.

For much of my life, I didn’t realize anything was wrong. Looking back I now know that I have had symptoms since grade 6, I just didn't know it at the time. It wasn’t until my third year of university, when I was 20, that my symptoms became impossible to ignore. I struggled to stay awake during the day, slipping into REM sleep up to 5 times a day. While others experienced tiredness, I experienced a complete loss of control over falling asleep or staying awake.

My symptoms are difficult to put into words, which is why I decided to use photography instead. Creating this project has been a way to process and communicate my experience. It allowed me to visually show feelings that felt isolating and transform it into something seen and shared. I feel a sense of closure from doing this project. Seeing my journey laid out from beginning to end has made me realize how far I’ve come. More than anything, I hope these images offer insight into what it can feel like to live with Narcolepsy.

About The Artist

Abigail Plaskett

Abigail Plaskett is a Toronto-based photographer who brings genuine energy and care to every moment she captures. Curious and creative, Abigail loves experimenting with new techniques and concepts, using them to expand her vision and find fresh ways of telling stories. For Abigail, photography isn’t just about images, it’s about preserving the feeling of a moment so it can be experienced again and again. She strives to create photographs that allow people to express themselves in meaningful and lasting ways.

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