Vestibular Disorders Association
Life Rebalanced
In this episode, we explore how, having learned to cope with all the ways vestibular impairment affects your life, many people discover a “new normal.” When life becomes unbalanced due to a vestibular disorder, people have no choice but to adapt to a “new normal,” a term common in the vestibular community and now the world, too, due to COVID-19. It’s hard to adapt to changes in our lives, especially when those changes have been forced upon us, and even more especially when they limit what we can do. But humans are infinitely adaptable. This process of adaptation may involve a lot of trial and error, ups and downs, and support from peers and our loved ones. What does your “new normal” look like?
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Life Rebalanced Chronicles documents the stories of nine vestibular warriors. None of them expected to be knocked down by a vestibular disorder. All of them looked fear, anxiety, and loneliness in the face and said, “You will not define me.” Their message is one of hope for everyone who struggles with invisible chronic illness and others who are navigating life’s challenges. The new six-episode docuseries will air weekly starting August 10, in conjunction with Balance Awareness Week (Sept. 19-25, 2021). The series is a collaboration between the Vestibular Disorder Association (VeDA) and Kimberly Warner, filmmaker and founder of Unfixed Media and Unfixed Community youtube channel. In 2015, Kimberly was diagnosed with cervicogenic vertigo and Mal de Débarquement Syndrome (MdDS) that manifests as a constant perception of rocking, bobbing and swaying.
The Life Rebalanced Chronicles documents nine vestibular patients who are learning to live with disorders such as vestibular migraines, MdDS, Meniere’s Disease and vestibular neuritis. Through intimate conversations, they explore parts of the human experience impacted by their vestibular dysfunction – mind, body, spirit, relationships, self and life. They also share their personal toolkits for living and thriving with their disorders and provide strategies from meditation, yoga and journaling to advocacy and finding meaning and purpose within their “new normal.”
“This honest and inspiring docuseries shines a light on invisible balance disorders and brings more awareness and empathy to the vestibular experience,” says Cynthia Ryan, Executive Director of VeDA. “We are honored to work with filmmaker and vestibular patient Kimberly Warner, who brings lived experience to each episode as she compassionately helps each individual share their unique journey toward healing and hope.”
About VeDA
For almost 30 years, VeDA has been a highly respected source of scientifically credible information on vestibular disorders. Through publications and an online community, VeDA has reached millions of vestibular patients with critical information and support. The organization provides education and emotional support to patients with dizziness and imbalance. They connect patients with medical specialists through a provider directory of clinics that specialize in diagnosing and treating vestibular disorders. VeDA advocates on behalf of all who are impacted by vestibular disorders. For more information, visit https://vestibular.org/
About Unfixed Media
Unfixed Media Productions was created by award-winning producer and filmmaker Kimberly Warner and focuses on stories of humans living with chronic, incurable conditions. People love fixer-upper stories, miracle cures and answers but many wake up each day without any of these. The world needs more models for how to live a meaningful, unfixed life – a life liberated from fixed notions of how we must feel in order to live fully. The Unfixed portfolio of projects demonstrates that living well is not about eradicating our wounds and weaknesses but understanding how they complete our identities and equip us to help others. Programming includes Life Rebalanced Chronicles docuseries, the MS Confidential webcast series, the Unfixed Podcast, and the ongoing Unfixed monthly docuseries (and future feature film) available on The Disorder Channel and the Unfixed Community YouTube Channel. For more information, visit http://www.unfixedmedia.com/
Director - Producer - Editor: Kimberly Warner
Segment Director/Producer: Mia Allen
Graphics: David McLaughlin
