OCEAN
Above are a set of illustrations I made to accompany my sound story (below). Both are meant to convey my personal experience with the sensation of Mal de Debarquement Syndrome. Discretion is advised when listening to the audio, especially those with a balance disorder, as the audio is very disorienting to listen to. and may disturb some listeners.
December 4, 2021, I went on a two hour cruise. I sat in the window seat, and felt odd for the whole trip. It was like my brain was struggling to understand the sensation of the moving boat. Soon after the cruise ended, we got off the boat and I went straight to work. A few hours into my shift, the floor suddenly felt like it gave way beneath me, and the world felt like it shifted. I was thrown into a disorienting dizziness that made it hard to stand for long, and I was sure it was vertigo, something I've experienced before. I was driven home and weeks went by as I tried and tried to get rid of this "vertigo" that was constantly present. I soon learned that I had developed Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS), a rare condition that can happen after someone goes on a prolonged boat ride. Most cases resolve themselves quickly, but mine never went away. Years later today, I still feel the constant sensation of bobbing and swaying while sitting still. I've learned ways to cope, but it's still there.
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I took my time to grieve my old life, but now I want to bring awareness to the condition and comfort those struggling with invisible disabilities. Sometimes all it takes is more awareness to bring more funding and development to MdDS research. I want more people to be aware of this condition so it doesn't go under the radar. The more awareness there is of the condition, the more likely it'll be researched.