Last year, I discovered that I have something in common with Biden. No, I don’t mean I should be executed for my crimes against humanity (although I’m sure some of you tankies will beg to differ); I discovered that we are both using CPAP to treat sleep apnea. I struggled with chronic sleep deprivation for around three years until I finally got diagnosed and started CPAP around 18 months ago. I want to try to avoid being ableist, but as someone who has personally experienced impaired memory and reduced neurological ability from untreated sleep apnea, I know full well what it can do.

I do not know the full details of Biden’s treatment, but articles suggest that he only started CPAP last year despite being diagnosed in 2008. Maybe it’s unfair to speculate about his personal health, but it seems like there are one of two possibilities.

1. Like roughly 50% of CPAP users, he struggled to adapt to it and quit within the first year, but had to give it another chance after his health inevitably deteriorated.
2. A CPAP was unnecessary at first, as he could manage his symptoms through undergoing surgery or using a dental device, but they progressed (as they generally do with age) to the point where he needed to start CPAP therapy.

In either case, he was probably sleep deprived for some time before his doctors noticed and advised him to start CPAP therapy. It can also often take at least six months to overcome sleep deprivation (it took more than 18 months in my case), and even longer to repair the damage it caused.

My sleep apnea is likely much worse than his, but I’m also half as old as him, and I would not describe my memory as fine. I never expect to remember important information unless I write it down immediately, and I sometimes struggle to remember the names of people I’ve worked with for several years. I’ve just had to accept that dealing with my poor memory is part of managing my symptoms. I don’t think he deserves to be mocked, but I think he should accept that his memory is far from fine.