In January 2024, Chelsea Cataldi joined the Board of Directors of Project Sleep, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of sleep health, sleep equity, and sleep disorders.
Born and raised in New Mexico, Chelsea is an avid adventurer and has traveled the world. She was living in Japan when she received her type 1 narcolepsy with cataplexy diagnosis in 2010.
For Chelsea, experiencing hypnogogic hallucinations, sleep paralysis, and vivid dreams has been terrifying. She thanks modern medicine and her passion for creativity for her ability to cope with these and other difficult symptoms of narcolepsy. Whether she’s sewing a wedding dress for a friend, designing a quilt for the newest baby in the family, cooking a unique dish, or baking homemade sourdough, Chelsea keeps busy with her many interests.
Professionally, Chelsea has over 15 years of experience as an executive assistant. She has worked for corporations, non-profits, the US government, and an investment bank in New York city. Additionally, she has volunteer experience teaching CPR & First Aid for the Red Cross, chairing a large auction to raise money for wounded warriors, sitting with patients in hospice care, and much more.
Chelsea completed Project Sleep’s Rising Voices training in 2020. Following the footsteps of storytellers who came before her, she uses her voice to advocate for narcolepsy awareness. Her favorite speaking engagement was the FDA Patient Listening Session on Narcolepsy and Idiopathic Hypersomnia in 2022. Chelsea is currently living in Georgia with her incredibly supportive husband Nick and adorable dog Moco.
As a military spouse, I found myself moving every few years, usually to an area with few options for medical treatment. I had to learn to advocate for myself and help educate those around me on new developments and treatments for narcolepsy. I hope to use this experience to help others in similar situations.”
-Chelsea Cataldi
