Eleven years ago, Sylvia Hemby’s joyful vacation in Hawaii turned into a challenging experience due to her diagnosis of Mal de Débarquement Syndrome (MdDS). The disorder caused a persistent sense of rocking. Yet, she found solace in creating seashell art, channeling her struggles into beauty and resilience, representing her journey of growth.
For eight years, Rocking Candles has been explaining to others what daily life is like for MdDS sufferers. Kate, owner and MdDS warrior herself, has also been giving back through donations to support research so we can all “get off that boat.” Read to learn more about Kate and her custom candles.
Jo spent six months almost grieving for her old self. But now she’s managing MdDS and even cruising again. Read Jo’s story on the blog today.
It’s been a privilege for us to raise awareness through the eyes of MdDS Warriors. Let’s keep working together and find the better life we deserve.
I hope my book and paintings touch anyone who is at the “bottom of the sea” and can’t find the way out. You are not alone. You can do it. 😄 ~Victoria Cantarelli
TRIGGER WARNING: this picture I took causes me great anxiety due to the swirls. 😟 But I really want to share it with my story so others who can relate know they aren’t alone. ~
…my head is spinning like a whirlpool it never ends ~Lucy Newman
My story is a little different than your traditional MdDS patient, but this is a poem and a drawing I made describing the nonstop dizziness. I would give anything to live in a world that is still. ~Joanna