Next month, in just over two weeks, I will be in Baltimore for the AASM + SRS SLEEP 2026 annual meeting.
As the primary industry event for sleep medicine, it brings together physicians, researchers, tech companies, non-profits, and pharmaceutical exhibits. This will be my third time attending, but this year is different: I am presenting.
In March, my abstract was accepted, and I will be displaying my 4’x4′ poster on Wednesday, June 17th at 11:00 AM EDT (8:00 AM PDT) in the exhibit hall.
- Poster Title: Redefining Cataplexy: A Patient-Derived Visual Severity Scale and Linguistic Audit.
- The Core: This poster represents a lifetime of connecting the dots, analyzing cataplexy far beyond surface-level observations or isolated neurotransmitter science. It focuses heavily on the actual lived experience, the nuances, and the life-altering impacts that frequently go unspoken and unexamined by traditional clinical standards.
- Where to Find It: I am presenting entirely under my name, Solomon Briggs, as a patient advocate alongside my handle, Narcoplexic. Once the conference concludes, the full poster will be downloadable at Narcoplexic.com.
A Transparent Request for Support: Navigating the logistics of a major eight-day trip independently has created a massive financial strain. I have invested heavily in sleep disorder advocacy to bridge the gap between clinical science and lived experience, but doing this entirely self-funded is no longer sustainable. I am currently operating on a razor-thin margin regarding basic living expenses.
While I am seeking larger sponsorships, I am currently facing a significant funding deficit for the travel and attendance costs. If you want to support this work, become a Patron, purchase art, or contribute directly to help me stay afloat through this event, please message me or reach out directly.
Cover images, which are not part of the poster, are taken from this ‘available to purchase’ infographic: https://sleepwakedynamics.com/product/responsive-care-a-practical-guide-to-cataplexy-atonia/