I am Stephanie, officially from The Netherlands but living the dream in sunny Spain.
In October 2021, I was 31 years old and living a full, active life—running my business, walking outside daily, and enjoying simple things like shopping or meeting friends. But one morning, out of nowhere, I woke up feeling “drunk.” My balance was off. My head felt strange. And that sensation didn’t go away.
At first, I thought it would pass. But instead, it got worse. Supermarkets became overwhelming. Busy streets made me anxious. Even walking down a hallway took effort. I felt constantly overstimulated and exhausted—mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Over the next two and a half years, I went from doctor to doctor. Each one told me the same thing: “It’s just stress.”
I knew it wasn’t.
No matter how I explained my symptoms—the bouncing vision, the heaviness in my head, the fatigue—they didn’t take me seriously. It was frustrating. Lonely. And deeply invalidating.
It wasn’t until 2024, when I was 34 years old, that I finally found a doctor who listened. After several specific tests, I was diagnosed with Bilateral Vestibular Hypofunction (BVH) and oscillopsia. Finally, I had an answer. And with it, a mix of relief and sadness. Relief that I wasn’t imagining things. Sadness that I had lost so much time being dismissed.
About a years after diagnosis, I started using the BalanceBelt. And honestly? It changed everything.
Now, after three months with the belt, my life has improved in ways I never thought possible. I can walk while texting. I can walk and talk while looking at the person next to me. I can go into a shopping mall or a supermarket without feeling like the world is spinning out of control. The belt doesn’t fix everything, but it gives me a feeling of stability I haven’t felt in years. When I wear it, I feel normal again—especially when I’m outside.
But I also want to be honest: BVH is still a big battle. Living with this condition at my age isn’t easy. I get tired much faster than I used to. I still notice that I can’t do as much in a day as I once could. The oscillopsia—where the world seems to bounce when I walk—is still there. And I’m still struggling to fully accept this diagnosis. Some days are really hard.
But the BalanceBelt gave me a piece of my life back. It gave me confidence. It gave me permission to hope again. And while I may still be figuring out how to live with BVH and oscillopsia, at least now I feel like I’m not fighting against my body quite so much.
“This belt didn’t just help my balance. It helped me feel safe in my body again.”
Now with the BalanceBelt I am eager to continue travelling the world and enjoying live with my dogs!