When Sleep Turns
Into A Disability

Philadelphia (January 22, 2003) — Sleep is generally considered a necessity in life. Some people try to dismiss it as more of a convenience, especially when you consider the pace of today's non-stop 24-hour society. For others, sleep becomes a hindrance.

What happens when sleep no longer serves its primary role of refreshing you? What happens when sleep becomes a liability? Or, worse yet, what happens when sleep turns into a disability? To explore that topic, Howard Hyman, a local attorney will give a presentation on this very topic, as well as touch on other areas of importance to those who suffer sleep disorders.

Howard will address Awake In Philly on Wednesday, March 12, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Room at the Northeast Regional Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, 2228 Cottman Ave.

Some of the information to be covered at the meeting includes:

• When is a sleep disorder considered a disability?
• What exactly does it mean if my sleep disorder is classified as a disability?
• When does the Social Security Administration consider sleep disorders a disability?

Howard, who has more than 20 years of legal experience, graduated from Central High School, and then received his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor from Temple University. While in law school, Howard received the American Jurisprudence Award for outstanding academic achievement, and is listed in Who's Who in American Law.

In private practice and self-employed since 1988, Howard's practice is concentrated in the areas of estate planning and administration, real estate, business planning, Social Security Disability and elder law, and general litigation. He's a charter member of the Trust Counselor's Network, where he has served as both an officer and a board member, and is admitted and practices in state courts in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as federal courts.

In addition, Howard has long been active in the Cheltenham Township Drug, Alcohol, and Mental Health Committee, where he has been very interested in the needs of handicapped and mentally ill persons, as well as their family members. He is also active in local and national civic, charitable, and religious organizations. Howard's also a recipient of an award from the Knights of Pythias for “exemplifying the principles of friendship, benevolence, and charity.”

Sleep disorders, which contribute to the national sleep debt, are more prevalent than most people believe. In fact, it's estimated that approximately one in every five people suffers from at least one sleep disorder. Sleep apnea, narcolepsy, periodic leg movements, and insomnia are just a few of the many sleep disorders that can, and do, rob us of the sleep we need.

The impact of sleep disorders, especially apnea, on a person's life may be many, and appear in many forms, but there are some telltale signs. While the impact is unique in each person, some of the most common areas include causing excessive daytime sleepiness, heart and lung damage, greater risk of stroke and high blood pressure, memory loss, the potential for greater involvement in traffic accidents because of tiredness, sexual dysfunction, mood swings, a decrease in productivity, weight gain, among others.

A Control 3 Home Care Kit, from Maril Products, will be given away at the meeting. Maril Products donated the Home Care Kit to Awake In Philly for giveaway at the meeting. See the rules for all details.

Awake In Philly sponsors, in alphabetical order, include B.F. Ascher & Co., Inc.; the Free Library of Phila. (NE Regional Library); Hans Rudolph, Inc.; Maril Products; and Respironics, Inc.

The Northeast Regional Library is conveniently located on several SEPTA bus routes, as well as being conveniently located near a SEPTA train station. For public transportation to the Northeast Regional Library, please call SEPTA at 215-580-7800 or visit the SEPTA website at http://www.septa.org.

The Northeast Regional Library is about one-half mile northwest of Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard, and may be contacted at 215-685-0501. Driving directions to the library may be accessed on the Awake In Philly site at http://www.AwakeInPhilly.org/Meetings/NERL.shtml.

Awake In Philly meetings are designed to offer support to anyone who must deal with the impact of sleep disorders, including the patient, the spouse, a co-worker or supervisor, researchers, physicians, attorneys, among others. Everyone is encouraged to attend the meetings.

Contact Dave Jackson at:
PhillyAwake@scoop0901.net