“You are more powerful than you think you are. Act Accordingly.” – Seth Godin

When you live with a vestibular disorder, life becomes a lot more complicated.

Uncertainty follows you everywhere, like a dark cloud ready to rain.

Even the simple things, like going out for groceries, or taking a shower, can suddenly become difficult and dangerous.

It’s hard to face that kind of adversity.

But as challenging as things may seem, we aren’t ever powerless. We might be overwhelmed by fear, and stuck with unwanted limitations, but we always have some measure of control over our situation.

We can push ourselves to do a little bit more, to be a little bit better, and to fight a little bit harder.

You are more powerful than you think you are, and I’m going to prove it.

Introducing the new and improved Dizzy Dash:

For the last few years, the Dizzy Dash has been a virtual 5k walk to raise money for the Vestibular Disorders Association during Balance Awareness Week.

(This is what I looked like after running the Dizzy Dash 5k in 2016 and 2015)

Created by my fellow VEDA Ambassador Katie Mahoney, it was designed to get people up and moving.

But this year, it’s a standalone event on May 20th, and we’re doing it a little bit differently. I’ll let Katie explain:

“My original idea for the Dizzy Dash was to get people moving. It didn’t have to be a run—it could be a walk, a stroll, or a crawl. Whatever a person could do. And it didn’t have to be all at once.

But a 5K (3.1 miles) walk/run is out of reach for many of people with vestibular disorders. So, this year, our focus is still to get people moving, but moving toward on a goal of their choice.

If you can barely get to the end of your driveway, make your goal getting to the end of your neighbor’s driveway by May 20. If you can only drive to the corner store, try to make a goal of driving a little further.

It’s going to be a fun event, and offers a unique chance to push yourself harder than you have before.

It’s an opportunity to reach deep down within yourself and do something you thought was impossible.

My goal is a 50-mile bike ride:

When I was first diagnosed with Meniere’s disease, riding a bike was inconceivable.

I was dizzy all the time, fatigued and brain fogged, and having constant vertigo attacks. There were many things I thought I would never be able to do again.

But that was then.

Today, I live a very different kind of life. I’ve found ways to manage many of my symptoms and substantially increase my quality of life.

So, I’m setting a goal for the Dizzy Dash to reflect that – to show myself, and others, that we’re capable of so much more than we ever could have imagined.

(I’ve been training hard! This was my longest ride to date.)

A 50-mile bike ride translates into 3.5 hours of intense physical exercise. I’ve never done anything like this before and know that it’s going to push my endurance (and balance) to the limits.

But in the end, I know it will be worth it.

What is your goal?

Everyone has something they’d like to accomplish. It doesn’t have to be exercise.

Ask yourself, what goal can you strive for? What will be your dizzy dash?

I encourage each and every one of you to sign up for the dizzy dash, set a goal, and really go for it! You just might be surprised at what you’re able to accomplish.

(PRO TIP: Use this free tool to help you plan)

Together, we can make a difference. Our voices will be heard.

Help me raise hope (and money) for the Vestibular Disorders Association in support of the millions of people around the world who are still suffering.

Click here to sign up for the Dizzy Dash

Click here to support my 50 Mile Bike Ride with a donation to VEDA