15-year-old Louisa Ball is afflicted with an extremely rare disorder called Kleine-Levin Syndrome, in which sufferers often fall into slumbers that can last up to several weeks at a time! Ball first developed the condition back in October of 2008 after recovering from a week-long case of the flu. She now misses school and life in general for long periods of time whenever she has these bouts of "hibernation." After waking up from her extended naps, Louisa is also famished and heads straight for the kitchen!
Scientists do not know what exactly causes this disease, but it is thought to have something to do with the hypothalamus, the section of the human brain that regulates sleeping and appetite. In February of this year, Louisa was put on a new medication, which doctors hope will regulate her sleeping habits somewhat.
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