This year, September 17-23 is being recognized as Balance Awareness Week. Organized by the Vestibular Disorders Association, a Patient Worthy partner organization, the goal of this campaign is to help spread awareness among both the general public and the medical community about vestibular disorders, which affect balance and coordination. Such diseases are estimated to impact as many as 69 million people in the US alone.
About Vestibular Disorders
A vestibular disorder, or balance disorder, is any medical condition that affects coordination, balance and stability. Patients are generally affected by a loss of balance, a sense of wooziness, nausea, and feelings of floating, spinning, or other movement even when the patient is still. The body achieves balance through the activities of the vestibular system (inner ear), the vision system, and proprioception (the body’s ability to sense its position in a given space), so any impacts to these systems can potentially affect balance and stability. When severe, the symptoms of vestibular disorders can be very debilitating, causing serious disruptions to the patient’s ability to go about their day. Examples of vestibular disorders include vestibular migraine and Meniere’s disease.
How to Spread Awareness
One of this year’s initiatives is joining the BAW Flamingo Flock in recognition of Fiona Flamingo, the VeDA mascot. You will become part of a team that advocates for balance disorder awareness. If you’re a patient, you’ll get access to a personal webpage for sharing your story. Click here to get started.
Want to get involved in other ways? There are many other opportunities for participants to help spread awareness. Some examples include:
- Support the vestibular disorders community with a donation. Click here to get started.
- Send a Letter to the Editor to one of your local media outlets about balance disorder awareness.
- Follow the Vestibular Disorders Association on Instagram and Facebook.
- Post on your own social media about vestibular disorders during the week using the hashtag #BalanceAwarenessWeek and make sure to tag VeDA in your posts!
- Wear some Vestibular Disorders Association merch and start a conversation! Check out the online store here.
- Don’t miss out on the Fiona Flamingo Photo Contest! Decorate your space with flamingos and then post on social media with the hashtag #FionaFlamingo.
Get involved and help spread critical awareness about vestibular disorders.
