Whereas, An estimated 135,000 people in the United States are affected by narcolepsy, a neurological sleep disorder for which there is no cure and whose cause is not well understood; and,

Whereas, More than half of these 135,000 individuals remain undiagnosed; and,

Whereas, Narcolepsy is a chronic disorder which causes excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy (loss of muscle tone), hypnologic hallucinations, sleep paralysis and disrupted nighttime sleep in women, men, and children of all ethnic backgrounds; and,

Whereas, The quality of life of narcolepsy patients, even with treatment, is often significantly reduced; and,

Whereas, Patients with this disorder experience excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden and uncontrollable sleep attacks, loss of muscle tone triggered by emotional stimuli, realistic and frightening hallucinations upon waking or falling asleep, an inability to move when they awaken, automatic behavior and disrupted nighttime sleep; and,

Whereas, It often takes an average of 10 years to receive a diagnosis of narcolepsy, and medical professionals frequently are inadequately educated on the diagnosis and treatment of narcolepsy; and,

Whereas, Increased awareness and expanded knowledge of the realities of life with narcolepsy will allow the community at large to better support people who struggle with the challenges of this chronic neurological disorder; and,

Whereas, The community's focus on narcolepsy and its impact on patient's lives will help guarantee hope for a better future for people with this debilitating disorder; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim March 9, 2008, as Narcolepsy Awareness Day in Michigan.