Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Nesmith.
Rachel, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Like any great #nncon19 #superhero, my origin story is dramatic/unexpected/full of surprises. I grew up in Duncanville, a Dallas suburb with a younger sister and two dogs named Oreo and Taffy. I was known for being a great student in school and was especially fascinated by psychology and biology. In high school, my extracurricular activities included Academic Decathlon, Choir and my friends collectively called The Group comprised of many of my Nerdy Chic Decathletes. Every Friday, we’d pile into the Mystery Machine and see the latest movie at the theater. I met my first husband in Academic Decathlon training during the summer of 1997. I graduated from high school in 1999, went to Mountain View Community College from June 1999 through August 2000, where I raked in 51 college hours.
I lived in the Dorms at Texas Woman’s University in Fall 2000 and Spring 2001, many times I would involuntarily doze during Anatomy and Physiology and my friend Crystal kidded she always had to wake me up in class, despite me being very interested and active in class. April of 2001, I moved out of my dormitory and into a small apartment right off Texas Woman’s University with Kenneth. When the Twin Towers can down, my life crashed all around. Two days after 9/11/2001, I awoke in the middle of the night to an excruciating “BOOM” unlike any loud noise I’d ever heard before, I heard and saw shadows of my family and invading troops as I was unable to move. I felt the searing heat, panic of being unable to follow loved ones into a bomb shelter. I saw and felt tall flames and smell thick smoke in the air of my bedroom – I was terrified. This was World War 3 and I was about to die. I was unable to scream, but I heard the screams of those near to me crying out in horrific pain as they burned alive. Ken shook me saying “Wake up, it’s ok.” He informed me there was no invasion in our bedroom. I was utterly perplexed and horrified as well as isolated and alone in my harrowing ordeal. This scenario replayed itself several times a night each night from this point onward.
I felt terrified at the very thought of going to sleep, I felt afraid to close my eyes. I’m grateful for being able to Advocate for persons suffering from invisible disabilities. However, it bothered me that the media and even society doesn’t give persons with disabilities/invisible chronic illnesses enough respect/credit. That sleepiness is lazy, we’re faking it, exaggerating our plights. More than anything it’s all about helping people with sleeping and other invisible and visible disorders feel like they should, as they deal with pain levels so high while smiling, tear-stained faces, with the fear of Cataplexy and social ignorance anywhere, this coping takes a True Superhero kind of strength, our hearts empathize deeply with anyone suffering.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
NapCave.com is a Specialty ECom Store of custom, one of a kind, designed Carefully Curated Clothing, Home, Personal Items with the goal of Doing Sleep Justice and Defeating Social Stigma by Rachel Nesmith, a.k.a. Sleepy American SuperHero. The NapCave is a start-up small business that believes all persons with chronic, rare illness and disabilities are truely superheroes, and our mission is to bring this spirit and truth to the mainstream with every breath of our being. Completely free of charge, our photography campaign needs funds to purchase photography backdrops, stands, props, special airfare, shipping, room and board to the conference and back. The NapCave @napcavezzz @sleepyamericanhero is thrilled to Kickoff our new Sleep Health Awareness Patient Self-esteem and Stigma Defying social attitude Transformational Photography Campaign at the 2019 Narcolepsy Network Conference October 25th thru the 28th in Albuquerque, NM @narcolepsynetwork to #nnconference2019 #dosleepjustice #sleepyAmericanheroes #defystigma booth free photography shoot of attendees dressed with our fun props and background as a sleepy superhero. Society and Persons with Invisible and visible chronic illnesses need to see and feel just as they should- Superheroes. Living with often misconception misunderstood disorders #Narcolepsy #Fibromyalgia we at NapCave.com want you to feel like a superhero! Free pics taken will be emailed to participants, Compliments of NapCave.com and many prize raffles to be had too Tba later. Together, we will conquer stigma! Rachel, SleepyAmerican #narcolepsyawareness #narcolepsynotalone @napcavezzz @sleepyamericansuperhero the NapCave is a small business created dedicated to defying and changing the stigma and negative attitudes towards persons living with invisible illnesses/disabilities. Remember, you can be a superhero for persons who deserve to feel as important as they are. Buy and cuddle up to help SleepyAmericanHero and Put Stigma to Bed! Shop NapCave- we are #notyourbasicstitch #nnconference2019 #areyouasleepheroorasleepzero.
I took taking superhero pictures with a backdrop for anyone who wants to be emailed the digital images from The NapCave.com‘s Photo Campain “Narcolepsy Superheroes” All Photos are Free of Charge. All persons who want to enter our Photo Campain will also enter the NapCave Raffle for free NapCave Prizes.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
the NapCave is a small business created dedicated to defying and changing the stigma and negative attitudes towards persons living with invisible illnesses/disabilities. Remember, you can be a superhero for persons who deserve to feel as important as they are. Buy and cuddle up to help SleepyAmericanHero and Put Stigma to Bed! Shop NapCave- we are #notyourbasicstitch #nnconference2019 #areyouasleepheroorasleepzero.
Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
Wide Awake and Dreaming by Julie Flygare, Over the app for graphic design resources, The Bible, Anchor for microphone transcription.
Pricing:
- Straight Outta Hypocretin Ladies Curvy T-Shirt Regular price $20.99
- Straight Outta Hypocretin Women’s short sleeve t-shirt Regular price $24.50
- Anytime is a Great Time for Nap Time Mug Regular price $11.00
- I nap Periodically Unisex Hoodie Regular price $32.50
- The NapCave What Happens In Your Bedroom is Our Business🤪 We’re a Sleep Clinic Short-Sleeve Unisex T-Shirt Regular price $30.50
Contact Info:
- Website: https://napcave.com
- Phone: 2145333228
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenapcave/
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sleepyamericanhero
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/sleepyamerica
- Other: https://napcave.com/collections/sleepandsleepingdisorders/products/i-love-raising-narcolepsy-awareness-and-naptime-top
Image Credit:
Rachel Nesmith, Kerry Harrison, Susan Nesmith, Bianca Hemphil
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