The Vestibular Disorders Association (VeDA) has officially announced the winners and participants of its 2026 Poetry-4-Balance Contest, an annual initiative held in conjunction with National Poetry Month. This year, the organization received 21 entries from individuals across the globe, each utilizing the medium of poetry to articulate the complex, often debilitating experiences associated with chronic vestibular dysfunction. The 2026 winners—Gemma Clarke, Samantha H., and David Pavia—were selected for their poignant use of metaphor and rhythm to describe the "invisible" nature of balance disorders, ranging from Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) to Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV).
For those living with vestibular conditions, the world is often a place of perpetual motion, characterized by dizziness, vertigo, and a profound loss of equilibrium. Because these symptoms are internal and rarely present with visible physical markers, patients frequently face skepticism from the public and the medical community alike. VeDA’s annual contest serves as a critical platform for patient advocacy, allowing individuals to reclaim their narratives through creative expression.
Clinical Background and the Prevalence of Vestibular Disorders
To understand the significance of the Poetry-4-Balance Contest, it is necessary to examine the medical landscape of vestibular health. The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, is responsible for providing the brain with information about motion, head position, and spatial orientation. When this system is damaged by injury, disease, or aging, the result is a vestibular disorder.
According to data from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), approximately 69 million Americans aged 40 and older have experienced some form of vestibular dysfunction. These conditions include Meniere’s disease, vestibular neuritis, and labyrinthitis. One of the most common forms, BPPV, is characterized by brief episodes of mild to intense dizziness triggered by specific changes in the position of the head. Another increasingly recognized condition, PPPD, involves a chronic sense of unsteadiness or dizziness that lasts for months.
The entries in the 2026 contest reflect these clinical realities. For instance, the recurring themes of "rocking," "swaying," and "brain fog" described in the poems are direct symptoms of the neurological struggle to integrate sensory input. By translating these physiological failures into verse, participants provide a window into a world where the ground is never quite solid.
Analysis of the 2026 Winning Entries
The 2026 winners were lauded for their ability to synthesize the physical and emotional tolls of their conditions. Gemma Clarke’s winning poem, "Flamingo Days," utilizes the metaphor of the flamingo—a bird known for its precarious one-legged balance—to describe the resilience required to navigate daily life. Clarke’s work touches on the frustration of misdiagnosis, noting that what was once dismissed as "anxiety" is actually a constant, physical "storm" of zig-zag vision and ringing ears. Her poem concludes with a message of adaptation, suggesting that while the "color" of one’s life may fade during the height of illness, recovery and a "new normal" are possible through persistence.
Samantha H., another top honoree, contributed "The Unsteady Loop," which chronicles the aftermath of a concussion. Her poem highlights the "thunder" of subsequent impacts and the development of PPPD. The work is particularly effective in describing the psychological weight of chronic illness, noting how the fear of a "spin" can take deep roots, choking the progress of recovery. Samantha’s poetry underscores the "lonely dark cycle" of a life on delay, a sentiment echoed by many in the vestibular community.
The third winner, David Pavia, offered a stark look at the social implications of balance disorders in his poem, "I call myself a burden." Pavia’s work focuses on the sensory overload of tinnitus—described as a "high wire hum" or a "radio between stations"—and the resulting grief over lost identity. He addresses the "bills that stack like a stone wall" and the guilt of having to rely on loved ones for physical support. His poem captures the "hollow hours" of chronic illness where the physical environment itself seems to breathe and sway.
The Role of Narrative Medicine in Vestibular Recovery
The Poetry-4-Balance Contest is more than a creative competition; it is an exercise in narrative medicine. This interdisciplinary field recognizes that the act of storytelling can be a powerful clinical tool, helping patients process trauma and helping clinicians understand the lived experience of disease. For vestibular patients, whose symptoms are often difficult to quantify in a standard 15-minute doctor’s appointment, poetry allows for a more nuanced communication of their state of being.
"Poetry can be a powerful way for those living with a chronic vestibular disorder to express their invisible and often misunderstood experiences," VeDA stated in its official announcement. The organization emphasizes that for many, writing offers a sense of control and validation in a life that otherwise feels unpredictable.
This year’s entries, such as "Vincent" by Simon Mahan, even draw historical parallels. Mahan’s poem suggests that the famed artist Vincent van Gogh may have suffered from similar vestibular issues, linking his "starry nights" and "distorted auras" to the symptoms of Meniere’s disease. This historical context provides patients with a sense of continuity, suggesting that they are part of a long lineage of individuals who have found "terrible beauty" amidst neurological chaos.
Chronology of the Event and National Poetry Month
The contest is timed to coincide with National Poetry Month in April, an event established by the Academy of American Poets in 1996 to increase the awareness and appreciation of poetry in the United States. VeDA has integrated this cultural milestone into its advocacy calendar, using the month to highlight the intersection of art and health.
The 2026 timeline began with a call for submissions in early spring, inviting members of the vestibular community to submit original works. By late April, VeDA had curated 21 entries, which were then reviewed by a panel. The announcement of the winners serves as the culmination of the month-long celebration, providing a permanent digital archive on the VeDA website for others to find comfort and information.
Broader Implications for Public Awareness and Advocacy
The implications of the Poetry-4-Balance Contest extend beyond the individual poets. These works serve as educational resources for the general public and healthcare providers. Many of the poems, such as "Life Unsteady" by Rebekah Bates and "Despite the Dizzy" by Careen Hannouche, touch on the theme of "looking fine" while "silently suffering." This discrepancy between outward appearance and inward reality is a major hurdle in vestibular advocacy.
By publicizing these poems, VeDA aims to reduce the stigma associated with balance disorders. The poems describe the specific triggers that can render a patient incapacitated—busy grocery stores, flickering lights, weather changes, and loud noises. For a person without a vestibular disorder, these are minor background details; for a patient, they are "thorns" and "brambles" that must be carefully navigated.
Furthermore, the contest highlights the economic and social impact of these conditions. Poems by Sarah Page ("Stolen Independence") and Peter Nicklin ("Hurdles") discuss the loss of the ability to work, drive, and participate in family life. This data, though presented through art, reflects a significant public health issue. Vestibular disorders are a leading cause of falls in the elderly, which in turn leads to significant healthcare costs and loss of autonomy.
A Collective Voice for the Vestibular Community
The 2026 Poetry-4-Balance Contest concluded with a diverse array of voices, ranging from the resilient ("Navigating the Storm" by Stana Peete) to the contemplative ("The Realm" by Siera Garcia Cortes). Each participant contributed to a collective map of the vestibular experience, proving that while the "floor doesn’t settle," the spirit can remain "unbowed."
As VeDA looks toward the 2027 contest, the organization continues to encourage patients to use every tool at their disposal—medical, physical, and creative—to manage their conditions. The 21 entries of 2026 stand as a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of a world that refuses to stay still. Through the use of metaphor and the shared experience of verse, these poets have turned their "unsteady loops" into a steady platform for global awareness.
