While most people may not be familiar with the word “vestibular”—a system in your inner ear that sends signals to your brain to tell you where you are in space—many of us have likely experienced the awkward, sometimes even scary feeling, when we momentarily lose our balance.
Whether it comes on gradually over time or all of the sudden, bouts of dizziness, vertigo, and nausea can make many of life’s routine tasks virtually intolerable. Everyday life – from getting around your house to grocery shopping—becomes a progressively challenging obstacle course to navigate.
That’s why VeDA pioneered Balance Awareness Week (BAW) in 1997—to shine a light on invisible balance disorders. When everyone is more aware, we can better understand the vestibular patient experience and be empathetic to those who need our support—family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. While many balance disorders are incurable, faster and more accurate diagnosis, along with effective coping strategies, can greatly improve quality of life for those who suffer with these invisible chronic illnesses.
Join VeDA this September 18-24, 2022 for Balance Awareness Week, and together we can support people struggling with dizziness, vertigo and imbalance on their journey toward a life rebalanced.
As Balance Awareness Week gets closer, updates about the event will be published here. To make sure you are always up to date on Balance Awareness Week and all things vestibular, you can subscribe to V-News, our monthly e-newsletter.
Advocacy Rebalanced is the latest Life Rebalanced Chronicles Vignette, short stories from the cast of our six-part docuseries, the Life Rebalanced Chronicles. It tells the story of David Morrill who, after a stroke left him with chronic vertigo and dizziness, found meaning through his work advocating for the vestibular community. Among his many acts of service, he founded the VeDA Ambassador program and leads an online support group. David has touched the lives of countless people struggling with vestibular dysfunction and enriched his own life in the process.
Balance Awareness Week is your time to stand with David, shining a light on the vestibular patient experience, helping people understand vestibular disorders, and supporting people on their journey back to balance. Get started making a difference this BAW by making a donation, holding a peer to peer fundraiser, and joining Fiona's Flock.
Stay up-to-date with the latest vestibular news.