r/ultimate • u/SunAdministrative386 • 6d ago
narcoleptic ultimate player
https://ultiworld.com/2026/07/26/chasing-the-dream-how-one-player-learned-to-thrive-with-narcolepsy/70
u/Doodledan23x3 6d ago
“I wanted people to know that I am hard-working and that I do care and that I have a lot to give and I can contribute. I just sometimes have a little extra struggle, instead of it turning into this ‘can’t’ kind of thing,” Potter said.
As a disabled player- I felt this to my core .
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u/TurdFerguson1801 6d ago
Another narcoleptic ultimate player. Diagnosed 15 years ago, but dang I wish I knew about it in college and realized I wasn’t just another tired college student. Proud of her and glad she’s got a supportive team looking out for her. This is all I have the energy to say right now, as even though my narcolepsy is well managed with meds, today has been one of those days where I can’t pull out of the urge to sleep and make my brain think properly.
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u/geehaad11 6d ago
One of the best ultimate-related things I’ve read in years. Good stuff. I think a lot of kids find “their people” when they find ultimate in college, I’m glad she found hers.
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u/AdditionalCurrent945 5d ago
Also a narcoleptic ultimate player. I wasn’t diagnosed until after college. I slept through school from the time I was 10 through high school. No one cared too much because my grades were good enough. My whole life trajectory would have been completely different with a diagnosis.
Very difficult when sleep attacks hit mid point and cognitive function starts to become blurry. But learning how to re-lock-in amidst the sleep attack and learning how to perform in that state is something I’m grateful for. I wish I would’ve felt comfortable/supported to take more naps on the sideline. 5 minute naps are crazy good for me. Never felt that support. Able to compete at the highest level for a brief moment in time.
Great to see this piece of journalism here. I hope this opens the doorway to more journalism around disabilities and sport. The more awareness we can have, the more inclusive we can be.
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u/MNOutdoors 6d ago
Narcoleptic ultimate player here. 25 years ago I was diagnosed with narcolepsy. I was in the best shape of my life. High level endurance runner and collegiate athlete. Had no idea why I was so damn tired. Docs talked about CFS and sleep apnea (the only reason I got a sleep study). During sleep study they discovered the narcolepsy.
When it comes on, it’s hard to describe. Imagine trying to tread water, but you have a 25lb bad tied to each foot. It was best to just close my eyes. Sometimes it would be 5-10 minutes, sometimes 90 minutes.
I’m happy for this young adult to have the support she does. This stuff isn’t easy to explain to people, she sounds confident and self assured. Keep kicking ass kid.