KLS is a rare neurological disorder causing recurring episodes of excessive sleepiness, sometimes lasting days to weeks, along with confusion, lethargy, and altered behavior when briefly awake.
Nicole typically slept 18-19 hours daily but had prolonged bouts, including this one starting in November (likely 2011 based on reports) and ending in January.
During her 64-day sleep, she woke briefly in a disoriented, sleep walking-like state to eat or use the bathroom but remembered nothing.
Diagnosis and ImpactIt took 25 months for doctors to diagnose her at Allegheny General Hospital after initially suspecting West Nile virus; no cure exists, but medication helped space out episodes.
She missed holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, family trips to Disney World, and even a Katy Perry meet-and-greet (later rescheduled).
The family raised awareness through TV appearances to help others.