VEDA member, Andrew Galloway, recently completed a 10K run to raise awareness for vestibular disorders. Thanks, Andrew, and congratulations on your accomplishment! If you'd like to help raise awareness (and funds) for VEDA, stay tuned - Balance Awareness Week is coming up in September!
P.S. Here's a letter Andrew sent to his friends and family announcing this event.
Dear Friend,
I'm running the Manchester 10k next Sunday (20th May) and I'd like to ask you NOT to Sponsor me.
These days it seems everyone is raising money for a noble cause and there is a danger of compassion fatigue.
So instead of asking for your cash, I'd like to ask for a moment of your time to read this e-mail.
As some of you know I have experienced something called a Vestibular Disorder for several years. Vestibular Disorders are related to the inner ear and cause problems with balance, dizziness, nausea, headaches, tinnitus, amongst other symptoms. They are not well understood, even within the medical profession and are often misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed at all. People with Vestibular Disorders are often left feeling abandoned by doctors and misunderstood by friends and family.
I am fortunate. Through a combination of rehabilitation physical therapy, medication and shear determination I have been able to get on with my life, but some people with these disorders are left very restricted in what they can manage, often becoming housebound.
I am a member of VEDA, the Vestibular Disorders Association based in the USA. There is not currently an equivalent organisation in the UK.
VEDA work to promote awareness of Vestibular Disorders, support for sufferers and research projects.
If you have time I'd be grateful if you would have a look at their website: http://vestibular.org/
Many Thanks
Andrew Galloway