Making Vestibular Visible
The vestibular community came together September 15-21, 2024 for the 28th annual Balance Awareness Week (BAW), a global event to raise awareness about vertigo, dizziness, imbalance, and conditions caused by damage to the vestibular system.
Most people take their balance for granted. But when the delicate organs of the inner and brain that control balance are damaged, your world can literally be turned upside down.
Vestibular patients have a long road to diagnosis, and because there is no “cure” many have to learn to manage their symptoms and adjust to a “new normal.”
Vestibular disorders are invisible to the observer. Friends, family, coworkers, and even healthcare professionals often don’t “get” what a person with a vestibular condition is experiencing, and sometimes accuse them of malingering, or even making it up.
That’s why raising awareness about vestibular conditions and the impact they have on people’s lives is so important.
Thank you to everyone who organized events, posted on social media, and shared their vestibular story during Balance Awareness Week! Together, we can Make Vestibular Visible!
Fiona Flamingo
Fiona Flamingo is VeDA’s mascot, inspiring us to better balance. During BAW we embrace Fiona and flood the internet with flamingos!
Congratulations to this year’s Fiona Flamingo Photo Contest winners!
- Dana Tress & her canine companion, “Rookie”
- Danielle Tolman and her daughter, Eisley
- The Dizzy PT of Texas Health, Burleston
- University of Scranton Physical Therapy Department
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Global Reach
Thanks to our many global partners, who hosted workshops, created videos, and posted on social media to bring our message of hope to a worldwide audience. Here is a sample of the amazing work done by our academic and corporate colleagues.
- University of Antwerp – Hosted a course on vestibular disorders for physiotherapists in Belgium and the Netherlands.
- Maastricht University – Hosted a series of workshops with demonstrations, including a vestibular bedside test.
- Vertigo, Tinnitus & Hyperacusis Association (Romania) – Ran ads on TV and radio, created an event video.
- GDR Vertige (France) – Invited colleagues from all over Europe to join our BAW collaboration. Produced a video representing the European community.
- Tunisian Vertigo Medical Society: Hosted a 5K run in honor of BAW. Focused awareness on seniors and fall prevention.
- Stitching Hoormij NVVS (Netherlands): Organized webinar on vertigo in children.
- American Balance Society: Produced a video and shared it on social media.
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Asociacion Sindrome de Meniere Espana: Promoted BAW on social media.
- Gyrostim: Created “fun facts about Fiona Flamingo” and posted on social media.
- American Speech-Language Hearing Association: Issued press release about BAW.
- Urban Poling: Issued press release about BAW and posted on social media.
- Otolith: Posted about BAW on social media.
- Vestibular First/Dizzy Care Network: Created a webpage dedicated to BAW; daily social media posts.
- Vertigenius: Posted about BAW on social media.
- American Hearing Research Foundation: Posted about BAW on social media.
- Association of Migraine Disorders: Posted about BAW on social media.
- Motol University (Czech Republic): Hosted workshops for patients and healthcare professionals and promoted BAW in the media.
- Audigy: Posted a video about BAW on social media.
- Moroccan Balance & Audiology Center: Posted about BAW on social media.
Fundraisers
Thanks to everyone who created a personal campaign page and asked friends and family to support your effort to raise awareness about vestibular disorders. Special thanks to our top fundraisers:
- Sandra Roberts
- Etrily Laitphlang
- Christine Moyer (aka “That Dizzy Girl”)
It’s never too late to raise awareness. Follow VeDA on Facebook and Instagram and share our posts, or share your story on our Patient Spotlight.