Unexplained

Abigail Plaskett

A high-resolution, close-up portrait of a person's face, focused on the eyes and nose. Both eyes are gently closed, framed by dark, well-defined eyebrows and long, prominent eyelashes. The skin appears warm-toned, displaying natural texture with visible pores and a subtle sheen on the forehead and bridge of the nose. A small, shiny stud is visible in the right nostril. The background is dark and blurred, drawing full attention to the facial features.

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

A close-up of a young woman with long, reddish-brown hair and a gold mesh watch, holding a black Canon DSLR camera with a 24-105mm f/4 L lens to her face. Her right eye is closed as if looking through the viewfinder, against a plain grey background. A watermark reads 'Abigail Plaskett Photography' across the camera lens.

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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