From being judged as “lazy” to worrying about a partner’s reaction to a CPAP machine, we’re breaking down the shame & stigma of sleep apnea––together.
This powerful discussion addresses the issues no one is talking about. Young people can feel confused or even embarrassed by this diagnosis, often associating it with older adults.
Our host, Emma Cooksey, was joined by Jason Webb, who shared his story of being diagnosed as a young person with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a small Australian town. Edgar Castro Tello, a Project Sleep Expert Advisory Board member, also joined us and reflected on his own experience navigating life with obstructive sleep apnea.
If you’ve ever felt shame or stigma around your sleep apnea diagnosis––or if you are avoiding testing or treatment altogether––this discussion is for you!
Jason Webb lives in North Queensland with his girlfriend and comes from a family of four, including a younger brother. He enjoys gardening, fishing, and traveling. Diagnosed with moderate obstructive sleep apnea at 28 after experiencing symptoms for about a year, he faced numerous challenges in understanding and managing his condition. With no specialist in his rural town, he struggled to navigate his diagnosis alone. He has undergone nasal surgery to correct a deviated septum, battled depression, and now happily wears a CPAP every night. Having faced these obstacles firsthand, he is passionate about helping others on their sleep apnea journey, so they don’t have to go through the same struggles alone.
Edgar Castro Tello is Venezuelan born and raised, but now calls Tampa, Florida his more humid, tropical home, where he lives with his partner, Frankie. He’s an environmental scientist with a passion for programs and policy in the field of refuse and waste reduction. His career started in environmental consulting with migratory birds and informal education in zoos, quickly falling in love with public service and policy change. He was diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea in 2016 at the age of 25; a diagnosis that was too late in the making. Edgar hopes his story will shed some light on the prevalence of sleeping disorders in the gay bear community and early signs from teenage years.
