Narcolepsy Advocate Jazlyn Zdan Raises Awareness in Canada’s Penticton Herald

Project Sleep is thrilled to highlight Rising Voices speaker Jazlyn Zdan, a family-centric go-getter from a small town in southern Alberta, Canada, who was recently featured in her local newspaper, the Penticton Herald. The article highlights Jazlyn’s eight‑year journey to receiving a type 1 narcolepsy with cataplexy diagnosis and her commitment to raising awareness of this widely misunderstood neurological condition.

In the Penticton Herald feature, Jazlyn reflects on first experiencing symptoms around age 14, including overwhelming daytime sleepiness and cataplexy — muscle weakness triggered by strong emotions. These symptoms followed her through high school, university, and into her early career, until finally receiving a diagnosis at age 22. Before diagnosis, she often blamed herself, describing how this misunderstanding took a significant toll on her confidence and mental well‑being.

I saw those moments as personal failures rather than symptoms of a medical condition.”

Today, Jazlyn uses her story to help others feel seen, validated, and empowered to seek answers. As a speaker with Project Sleep’s Rising Voices program, she shares her journey to raise public awareness, leading to “earlier recognition, earlier diagnosis, and better support for those affected.” Jazlyn encourages people to learn about sleep disorders, listen to lived experiences, and share accurate information, especially around World Narcolepsy Day, an annual campaign held on September 22.

My hope is that by sharing my story, someone recognizes these symptoms in themselves or in someone they care about and feels empowered to seek answers.”

We’re deeply grateful to Jazlyn for her courage, leadership, and advocacy, and to the Penticton Herald for amplifying her voice and helping raise vital awareness of narcolepsy and Project Sleep’s mission to improve outcomes for people living with sleep disorders.

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