For years, Heather navigated life as most do—busy, active, and moving forward without questioning the simple act of balance. That changed when Meniere’s disease and vestibular migraine entered her world. What began as pressure and tingling on top of her head radiating down one side of her face and occasional dizziness soon evolved into unpredictable vertigo, hearing fluctuations, and an overwhelming sense of instability. Life as she knew it was turned upside down. The worst days weren’t just about the physical symptoms—they were about the darkness that swallowed her whole. The isolation, the unpredictability, and the fear of never finding solid ground again brought about intrusive thoughts of taking her own life as she lay lost in an unfamiliar sea of uncertainty.
Adjusting the Sails – Perspective Change
One day, a friend visited Heather, sitting on the side of her bed trying to understand what was happening to her. She didn’t understand the magnitude of the symptoms but knew Heather was a shell of herself. As she got up to leave, she turned to Heather and said, “ I guess you should dream another dream”. As Heather watched her quietly leave, pulling the door closed behind her, those words sank in and hit her deep in her stomach. Dream another Dream? She never once thought of the dreams her husband and her built, never happening. That thought never crossed her mind. They had a few more years until their son graduated high school. Their plan was to sell their home and most of our belongings, buy a sailboat, and travel. It’s what they did when they had downtime: build their dreams by binging Sailing YouTube channels. In the wake of her friend’s statement, Heather realized she had to figure out how to live life with these symptoms. She had no idea what this journey would look like – she just knew she wanted to find the light again and be the person people remembered her being and step toward that dream.
Beacon on the Horizon – A light in the darkness
So the journey began. It was one of deep self-reflection while also searching for answers in a medical community that often lacked understanding of vestibular disorders. In that uncertainty, she took to the internet and found something unexpected — community. Through the Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA), she connected with others who understood her invisible struggles. She found connection and support from total strangers that ultimately became her guiding light, giving her the courage to find her own voice. Hearing other people’s stories living with vestibular disorders and knowing that she was no longer alone was, in fact, what was missing from her life: hope and connection.
After becoming an Ambassador for VeDA and pouring into others, she was learning to love herself again while also mourning her previous life. She realized that connecting with others while learning to navigate this new life was a major catalyst in her healing. She decided to figure out how to give back to a community that helped her so much; that’s when the Meniere’s Muse Podcast was born. Heathers podcast has become a space where vestibular warriors share their personal experiences, struggles, and victories. Through their shared vulnerability, laughter, and tears, vestibular warriors are feeling heard, learning they are NOT alone, and realizing that navigating a life with these symptoms is possible.
Beyond the podcast, her advocacy continues leading to her a deeper connection with many vestibular patients, Heather lovingly refers to as her “vestibular family” or “vesties”. Heather has also collaborated with three other Menierian’s; Julieanne Wallace, Steve Schwier and Anne Elias compiling letters, artwork and poems for a passion project titled “Dear Menieres: Letters and Artwork; A Global Project” this real, raw, heartfelt book (which can be found on Amazon) shares the journeys of patients living with Meniere’s Disease, while all proceeds raised are donated for Meniere’s research.
She was recently invited to the ARO Meniere’s Symposium 2025 in Orlando, FL and was honored to represent Meniere’s patients, sharing her story with healthcare professionals and researchers about navigating life as a patient with Meniere’s and vestibular migraine. Each opportunity to share her story is another step toward bridging the gap between patients and healthcare providers.
Trusting the Wind – Adapting
Her story isn’t just about advocacy—it’s about resilience. Despite the challenges, she has learned to adapt. She embraces her love for sailing, writing, and leans on her faith, all of which remind her how beautiful life is despite the symptoms. She now sees her vestibular journey as more than just a struggle—it’s a calling. Whether through The Meniere’s Muse podcast, social media advocacy, or events like moderating the patient panel for VeDAs Life Rebalanced Live, her mission remains clear: to bring visibility, understanding, connection, and hope to those navigating the unpredictable waves of vestibular disorders.
She can’t change her diagnosis, but she can continue to change the conversation by using her voice, which is proof that while chronic illness takes, it also teaches, and that, to Heather, is balance.
Check out the Meniere’s Podcast through the links below