I’m supporting Balance Awareness Week! Will you?

Every year in September VEDA (Vestibular Disorders Association) aims to raise awareness for vestibular conditions. They also aim raise money for research into these disorders which causes dizziness and affects the balance system.

According to the VEDA website:

The goal of Balance Awareness Week is to reduce the time it takes to diagnose a vestibular disorder. We help patients recognize the symptoms of a vestibular disorder and urge them to seek help from a professional specialist. We also encourage family and friends to learn more about vestibular disorders so they can support their loved ones’ who are suffering from dizziness and other debilitating symptoms.

Although, I do not suffer from a vestibular disorder myself; dizziness and disturbances in my balance is a large part of my life. Due to a neurological condition, I am constantly dizzy as well as frequent episodes of vertigo and as a result my balance is affected with these symptoms affecting my gait (the way I walk) and causing falls. Therefore, I understand and have experienced the loneliness, frustration and isolation these symptoms can cause and as a result I am supporting the ‘Balance Awareness Week’ (September 15th – September 21st 2014).

One way in which I have already shown my support for VEDA and raise awareness for Balance disorders is by purchasing a t-shirt designed by my great friend, Marissa. Marissa has been a fantastic advocate for everyone affected by dizziness and vestibular conditions. Marissa not only blogs about her own battle with dizziness and balance issues at her site Abledis.com, but she also founded ‘The Spin Sisters’ a podcast that discusses life with chronic dizziness and coping with a chronic condition. To find out more about why Marissa is raising money and helping VEDA, then you can read so by viewing her personal campaign page here.

There are two t-shirts available in the Balance Awareness storefront – one funky and lighthearted design that features the phrase ‘Dizzy not Drunk’. This is because many people who suffers with vestibular disorders often are accused of being drunk because it can result in an unsteady gait when walking which is also a sign of intoxication. The other design is a simple and plain design with the hashtag ‘Cure Dizziness’ and ‘Balance Awareness Week 2014′ underneath. The ‘Cure Dizziness’ design is available in adult (men and women) and youth sizes.

There is only six days left on the t-shirt campaign, so please if you can then purchase your own to show support for everyone affected by dizziness and balance disorders. These disorders can affect anyone at anytime and is something that could affect at you at some point. As Marissa says:

Rocking an awareness t-shirt means we all get to stand in solidarity with those suffering in silence… PLUS you’re getting a cool looking t-shirt!

If you aren’t able to get your own t-shirt then please help spread the word and raise awareness about such conditions on social media and help all those who are suffering with such conditions in silence. Awareness is a catalyst for a change so help and be a change agent!