Welcome to a special patient spotlight series in celebration of Dizzy Parents Day, hosted by the Dizzy Moms Club in partnership with VeDA. By sharing these real-life journeys and practical ‘dizzy parenting hacks,’ our goal is to help parents navigating chronic dizziness find their way out of isolation and into a supportive village. Each feature highlights the voice, vulnerability, and inspiring resilience of a parent navigating an invisible vestibular disorder.
Mary’s Story
What is your specific diagnosis (or type of chronic dizziness), and how old are your child(ren)?
PPPD, Vestibular Migraine, and Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence
What is a “dizzy parenting hack” or tool you rely on to get through the week?
I keep moving, take brief walks each day, and stay hydrated with electrolytes.
How do you talk to your children about your dizziness in a way they can understand?
My children know my dizziness as my “symptoms”. They know sometimes Mom can’t do certain things because of symptoms that day, so we modify activities in a way that works for me. We pray together as a family for healing and celebrate the “good” days together too.
What has been the most challenging or surprising emotional hurdle of parenting with an invisible illness?
The most challenging has been leading a less productive life than I want to, and not having the stamina I want as a mom for my boys.
What is a moment where you felt incredibly proud of yourself as a parent, despite your symptoms?
I was able to drive my kids around a little more this summer, doing errands or lunch or park dates, without another adult always with us.
How did finding an ally network or a support group (like the Dizzy Moms Club or VeDA) shift how you view your diagnosis?
Finding this community immediately eased my fears and made me feel less alone in my struggles.
Why is an international advocacy day like Dizzy Parents Day so important to you, and what message of encouragement would you send to another parent who is currently suffering alone right now?
Dizzy Parents Day shines a light on silently struggling parents. My advice is to never give up hope. Many people with these vestibular issues find healing and improvement. Sometimes it is about trial and error, seeing what works for your body, specifically.