Sophomore Brandie Binns is known by her friends as the sweetest person you will ever meet. A former member of the JV Cheer Team, Binns enjoys being active and expressing her creativity through drawing. However, this February her life was turned upside down. After experiencing frequent muscle tightness and twitching, Binns was diagnosed with Narcolepsy with Cataplexy. “I started experiencing the symptoms months ago, but I had no idea I had Narcolepsy,” said Binns. Cataplexy is a type of Narcolepsy that is common in about half of all Narcolepsy patients. Cataplexy episodes involve weakness of the limbs, causing the individual to slump to the ground, awake but unable to move for up to one or two minutes. Binns now struggles with every day activities such as focusing, balance, and gripping. Binns’ siblings, junior Danielle and sophomore Bradley, help her with little things at home such as picking things off the floor and getting out of bed in the morning. “I constantly feel the need to check on her in case anything happens,” said sister, Danielle. Thankfully, there is potential for Binns to return to 95% normal functionality by taking medicine. However, the Binns family is currently unable to afford the medicine she needs. Without medicine, Binns is unable to do her favorite things, such as drawing and dancing, and is unable to try out  for the softball team in the spring. Although there are many things Binns is unable to do at the moment, she is still the same person she has always been. Binns said, “I haven’t changed. I don’t want people to treat me differently because I have Narcolepsy.”

Brandie would like to recognize the following people who have helped her emotionally, physically, and mentally: Danielle Binns, Lakeisha Jones, Bradley Binns and Allie Kay.

To help Brandie, donate to help pay for her medication by following this link: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/help-brandie-conquer-her-narcolepsy-w-cataplexy-/301039#details