In 2019, Farkle was diagnosed with narcolepsy, cataplexy, and sleep paralysis. When these symptoms manifest in our boy Farkle, we often refer to it as Farkolepsy. Narcolepsy is characterized by sudden sleep spells and daytime drowsiness, while cataplexy is a loss of muscle control due to heightened emotions. Farkle also experiences sleep paralysis, where he is conscious but unable to move parts of his body. In Farkle's case, narcolepsy, cataplexy, and sleep paralysis are often triggered by his excitement over food, and sometimes toys or new smells.
Farkle gets really excited to eat, and that often triggers his cataplexy and narcolepsy. Because Farkle can collapse into his food, we have tried a variety of accommodations to keep him safe during mealtimes. We now feed Farkle on a soft bed or plush carpet and blanket to help cushion his falls. Over time, the traditional stainless steel food bowl has been replaced by a lick mat/bowl combination that won’t injure him if he falls.
Some people feel bad watching Farkle collapse over a morsel of food, while others laugh at the uncanny similarities between Farkle and a fainting goat. There is no need to feel guilty for laughing, and there is no need to feel bad for Farkle. He is a goofy boy who lives life to the fullest and is loved and spoiled beyond belief. While Farkle most likely experiences some frustration during his episodes, that frustration is greatly overshadowed by a world full of warm beds, fun sniffs, delicious food, and a whole lot of love.
