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.
Puja’s Story
What is your specific diagnosis (or type of chronic dizziness), and how old are your child(ren)?
I have been diagnosed with vestibular migraine and Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD). My son is 2 years old.
What is a “dizzy parenting hack” or tool you rely on to get through the week?
I try my best to start each morning with a mindfulness routine and involve my son whenever I can. It gives me a sense of balance when life literally feels off balance because of dizziness. We start and end our days with our breath, which helps me reconnect with my breath when I begin to feel symptoms creeping in, and if I forget, my son reminds me when it’s time to breathe.
If I don’t feel balanced internally, I try to create that sense of balance around me through our routines, our environment, and the way we move through the day together.
My partner and I have also created a support system for when I’m experiencing a flare. Over time, learning how to navigate dizziness as a team has become a parenting hack in itself. We’ve learned to communicate, adjust expectations, and share responsibilities when I need more support.
The most important thing is showing my son that Mama sometimes needs a “time in” too…not because I don’t want to be with him, but because taking care of myself helps me feel better and allows me to be more present with him. I hope he grows up understanding that caring for ourselves is part of caring for the people we love.
How do you talk to your children about your dizziness in a way they can understand?
Although my child is only 2 years old, he is already beginning to understand what dizziness feels like as he explores his own body in space by spinning around in circles. Labelling the experience for him has helped me communicate when I’m having a dizzy moment. He understands that sometimes Mama needs to pause because she is feeling dizzy. When that happens, I might set him up with some independent playtime or choose a low-intensity activity we can enjoy together. One of his favourites is playing grocery store, which he loves so much that he’ll often ask to play it even on my higher-functioning days.
What has been the most challenging or surprising emotional hurdle of parenting with an invisible illness?
This is something I think about every day. I often wonder whether parenting would feel easier without a chronic illness and all the breaks I need on difficult days. There is a lot of guilt that comes with needing to rest and asking for help when I appear “normal” to others, but my body needs a break. I also feel guilty when I miss an activity, or I am not able to attend an outing when I know how much my son wants me there.
I try my best to be as present as possible when I have more capacity. I often explain my need to rest using the metaphor of “filling my tank with gas.” I give him simple visuals and metaphors that help him understand that Mama sometimes needs to recharge.
When we have to be apart, we also have a little chant we say together: “Mama is always in your heart, even when we are apart.” I’ll blow a heart bubble toward him with my hands or draw a little heart on his hand. These small rituals help me reassure him that even when I can’t physically be there, my love is always with him.
What is a moment where you felt incredibly proud of yourself as a parent, despite your symptoms?
I have proud moments every day. I’m proud knowing how well I understand my child’s needs and, most importantly, knowing that he knows how deeply he is loved.
Whenever we share bursts of laughter, take our mindful walks, or simply enjoy a quiet moment together, I feel proud that I’m there in the way I can be. I’ve learned that quality time doesn’t need to be grand or elaborate to be meaningful, and I choose to focus on quality of time together rather than quantity.
Making memories every day is something to be proud of.
How did finding an ally network or a support group (like the Dizzy Moms Club or VeDA) shift how you view your diagnosis?
Without the incredible support of these groups, organizations, and the advocates who share their experiences online, I think I would still feel very alone and misunderstood. Finding a community showed me that I’m not the only one navigating dizziness while parenting. It has given me a sense of validation and belonging that I didn’t have before. Even on the days when I can’t talk to the people in my personal support system, I know there is still a community out there that understands.
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 is so important because parenting with chronic dizziness can feel incredibly isolating. Invisible illnesses are often misunderstood, and as parents, we can put so much pressure on ourselves to keep up with everything our children need and deserve.
Having a day dedicated to dizzy parents reminds us that we are not alone and that our experiences matter. We deserve to be seen, supported, and understood.
To another parent experiencing dizziness, I would say, give yourself permission to parent differently. Rest when you need to. Celebrate the small moments. The cuddles, laughter, walks, games, and little rituals all count. You are still making beautiful memories, even on the days when your body asks you to slow down.
And please remember: you are not alone; we are in this together.