In the years leading up to the Civil War, Harriet Tubman secretly operated the Underground Railroad to help slaves escape to the North. Tubman was born a slave herself, but eventually escaped. From there Tubman fled to Philadelphia and planned several trips back to the South to guide her relatives to freedom. Because she was so succesful at her work (over ten journeys freeing hundreds of slaves), she gained the nickname "Moses." During the Civil War, Tubman served as a cook, nurse, and then as an armed scout and spy. She even led a raid that freed seven hundred slaves.
During her early childhood, Tubman was struck over the head and injured. Though her injury healed, she had head trauma and brain damage. For the rest of her life, she suffered from hypersomnia (excessive sleepiness) resulting from her narcolepsy (sudden sleep attacks sometimes accompanied by seizures). During her bouts of sleep attacks, she would often claim to have religious visions. These visions/premonitions actually inspired her to continue her work because she believed that God would protect her from harm.
During her early childhood, Tubman was struck over the head and injured. Though her injury healed, she had head trauma and brain damage. For the rest of her life, she suffered from hypersomnia (excessive sleepiness) resulting from her narcolepsy (sudden sleep attacks sometimes accompanied by seizures). During her bouts of sleep attacks, she would often claim to have religious visions. These visions/premonitions actually inspired her to continue her work because she believed that God would protect her from harm.
Even though such an illness as narcolepsy would seem to be a major hindrance for a regular person, Harriet Tubman managed to turn her weakness into strength and determination. She is a national hero, and I admire her for her bravery. In many cases, narcoleptics are held back from the things that others can do. For example, driving can be hazardous if you fall asleep intermittently. For this reason, Harriet Tubman's story is inspiring and I hope that narcoleptics can achieve their goals regardless of their condition.
3 comments:
Narcolepsy is one of the strangest diseases to have. It must have been awful for her to try and save all those people, but like, fall alseep when she got too excited. This was a really interesting post.
It just shows how much more determined Harriet Tubman must have been if she had to battle not only the social/cultural norms against her, but also the condition of narcolepsy. I wasn't aware she suffered from this, and it only adds to her legacy in my eyes.
Your post was very interesting, especially the part about hypersomnia. I can only imagine the difficulties this would cause her, or any other person with this condition.
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