I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
IMAGINE LIVING LIFE WITHOUT BALANCE.
No really. Close your eyes and stand on one foot. It’s hard right? Now imagine having that same disorienting feeling on two feet, and with your eyes open. Balance is something most of us take for granted. It’s automatically hardwired into our bodies at birth, evolving and adapting as we grow and age. While basic balance is innate, some of us are able to perfect or even master our balance through exercise and practice. But we don’t often think about our balance—until of course, we lose it.
While most people may not be familiar with the word “vestibular”—relating to your inner ear, brain, and sense of balance—many of us have likely experienced the awkward, sometimes even scary feeling, when we momentarily lose our balance. Maybe it’s taking a wrong step or getting motion sickness aboard a jostling boat or that nauseating, head-spinning sensation after one too many alcoholic beverages. Eventually our balance comes back and life moves on.
This is not the case for the over 69,000 Americans who suffer from the mostly invisible and frequently debilitating symptoms of chronic imbalance associated with a vestibular disorder.
Whether it comes on gradually over time or all of a sudden, bouts of dizziness, vertigo, and nausea can make many of life’s more routine tasks virtually intolerable. Just try getting a good night’s sleep with a high-pitched ringing in your ear. Or try to focus on something as everything around you appears to be spinning. For those living with a vestibular condition, everyday life becomes a progressively challenging obstacle course to navigate.
I have been battling Vestibular Migraines for over 7 years now. I’ve had multiple tests done, tried different medications, and now I am medication free. In addition to the occular migraines I get, my right vestibular nerve is barely functioning thus forcing my left side to compensate for the right forever. This disorder is not something that has a cure nor is it something that will ever go away completely. I have my good days and bad, but am so blessed to be supported by those around me, and blessed to share my story in hopes I can help someone else through their struggles.
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