Ménière’s Disease & Faith Stories

Our why.

 

God offers his hand to pull us out of our darkest moments. For many Christians, faith is what helps them through the seemingly insurmountable moments, and the hope that it brings. In Ménière’s Facebook groups there are many Christians who lift others up in difficult times. You may not know they are Christians. But they are there. They offer help to others, pray for others, and ask for prayer. They have their own backstory about their relationship with God our Father, Jesus, our Saviour, and the Holy Spirit, our Helper. This book is to honour God with our love and thanks, and maybe, it will help others in a way that only God knows. We’re not trying to convert people, just sharing our story. And you know, we may plant the seed, but it is God who waters it.

Our biggest why is honouring our Heavenly Father for his love and mercy and grace.

This book is not just about our stories, it’s about our prayers, our poems, our heart songs, our art, our thanks.

 

Your Story.

 

If you are writing your about your story of MD and your faith, it’s a bit like a testimony - the story of where you were and what God did in your life.

Your story could refer to:

• How your faith and/or prayer worked to change you with your Ménière’s, etc.

• How your faith brought you through a difficult situation.

• How you found faith in God in your journey of Ménière’s.

 

How to write your faith story.

 

The following guidelines are just that, guidelines, but may help you to write.

Before your begin. God first. Pray.

 

PLEASE NOTE: AI written material will  not be accepted.

 

1. Keep it short - 3000 words maximum.

2. Have a before, what happened, and after.

3. Perhaps have a theme (optional), for example, a scripture that helps you through.

4. Is there scripture/s that are your go to? 

 

Tips to Remember as You Write -

 

• Stick to the point.

• Be specific. Include events, genuine feelings, and personal insights that clarify your main point. Make your testimony tangible and relevant so others can relate to it.

• Be current. Tell what's happening in your life with God right now, today.

• Be honest. Don't exaggerate or dramatize your story. The simple, straightforward truth of what God has done in your life is all the Holy Spirit needs to convict others and convince them of God's love and grace.

• Avoid ‘Christianese’ phrases (listed below), or churchy words that can alienate readers, or listeners, if we do an audio book. The reason for this is because people may have negative associations or experiences with particular words. We want our words to resonate with real life.

 

'Christianese' Words to Avoid

 

Stay away from "Christianese" phrases. "Churchy" words can alienate listeners/readers and keep them from identifying with your life. People who are unfamiliar or even uncomfortable with church and Christianity might not understand what you are saying. They may mistake your meaning or even be turned off. Here are some examples:

 

• Avoid using the term "born again." Instead, use these words:

given a new life

my eyes opened

 

• Avoid using "saved." Instead, use terms like:

delivered from despair

found hope for life

 

• Avoid using "lost." Instead, say:

heading in the wrong direction

had no hope

had no purpose

 

So, what is your faith story and Meniere’s?

Is it your journey of survival, or coming to know God?

Is it a letter to God?

Perhaps you have your own idea.

 

Please know that writing means revising and rewriting until you feel like it is ready. Pray over your story, asking God if there is anything else you need to refine or add.

​

My recommdendation for writing is to:

• 'Just write'. Let the words flow without trying to stick to any planning or rules etc. Once you have your story written, then go back to it and see where you might be able to improve it. 

• Don't worry about wrong spelling or punctuation. We will edit it for you. Ask for help if you need it.

• You might compose your submission as a testimonial, a before, during and after Ménière’s, a poem, a prayer, a song, art. Be as creative as you like!

 

We also want to fill the book with prayers, poems, songs, letters to God and or Jesus, and artwork.

​

You can have multiple submissions for the book, e.g. your story, a prayer, artwork, etc. If you aren’t sure whether you can submit something, send us an email and we’ll answer your question.

 

​The collection of personal stories etc and art will be collated, edited, and beautifully bound

as a soft cover print book, and eBook.  

 

Artwork

 

•    We’re also looking for artwork to include in the collection, and how it relates to your Christian faith:

•    Traditional mediums, drawings, paintings, sculpture, metal work, sketches, lino print etc.

•    Photography etc

•    Quilting, sewing, embroidery, etc

 

Please provide a photograph of your artwork, or the digital picture if it is created with digital tools (e.g. procreate and similar programs). Ensure there are no shadows on your photograph, and that you photograph your artwork from either directly above the art, or directly in front of the art so there are no distortions to perspective.

Be aware that we may ask you to retake the photograph, or even to refine your artwork to make it better. It's not a rejection, just a request for improvement so your submissions is the best it can be.

 

Guidelines:

 

Submissions open on 20th September 2025 and close at 9pm on October 31st, 2025.

If you are submitting artwork, and would like a little longer, please let us know.

Submit your work as a Word document – times new roman, size 12.

The word count for all written work is up to 3000 words.

 

• Email submissions to lillypillypublishing@outlook.com

• Please add MD book of faith writing in the subject of the email (for stories, poems, prayers, songs etc) For Art, please add MD book of faith art in the subject of the email.

 

Either write your submission in the body of the email, or attach it as a Word doc. Please include your name and email address (this won't be included in the book, it's just so we know who the letter is from for future reference). 

 

International submissions are welcome.

You retain full copyright of any work submitted.

All submissions will be accepted, except for work completed with AI.

 

Profits from sales will be donated to Ménière’s Research to help find a cure – multiple organisations for the donations will be chosen by the publishing team.

​

​

​

​

​​

​​

​

​

​

Meet the Team

​​​

​​

​​

​​

​

Heather Davies - Heather was diagnosed with Ménière’s and Vestibular Migraine in 2017, soon after she became a VeDA  Ambassador to help bring awareness to vestibular disorders. She has narrated 'The Color of Broken', a novel with a Ménière’s character for Audible. In early 2022, Heather began the Ménière’s Muse podcast for Vestibular Warriors to share their  personal journeys, in hopes that the power of connection will give hope and inspiration to others living with vestibular disorders. Heather believes that together, we can find strength by empowering each other. We can move forward in our journeys by learning to lean on and support one another so that no one feels alone.

​​

​

​

​

​

Steven Schweir - Steve was diagnosed with Ménière’s in 2012. In the month of September, 2020, Steve Schwier rode an e-bike , 400 miles from Denver, Colorado to Columbus, Ohio to bring awareness to Ménière’s disease. His difficult and grueling ride is  chronicled in his memoir, 'On the Vertigo: One Sick Man’s Journey to Make a Difference'. His ride raised more than $10,000, all of which went to Ménière’s disease awareness and research. Steve is the founder of On the Vertigo Org - a nonprofit seeking to provide community and support to those with Ménière’s disease, while raising awareness and funding research.

​​

​

​

​

​

G Lakin Rosier - G. Lakin Rosier II (Lakin) was bilateral when diagnosed with Ménière’s in 2010, but had symptoms in the left ear for at least 30 years prior to that. He also has vestibular migraines, although that diagnosis was fairly recent. When diagnosed, he became active in the Ménière’s Facebook community. After going on Government disability in 2015, he was asked to moderate/admin several Facebook Ménière’s pages. In February of 2022, he helped to start the Ménière’s Disease Zoom Support Group, and continues to co-host those meetings. Helping people learn to manage their Ménière’s symptoms, through the zoom group and Facebook pages, has given him the purpose in his life that was lost when he could no longer work. Lakin has found joy in drawing and painting, which he never had time to try prior to being on disability. He has a very supportive wife, two understanding adult children, and in 2024, became a granddad, which he loves.

​​​

​​​

​

​​​

​​​

​​​​​​​​​​Angel Selar - Angela's journey with vestibular symptoms began at birth, when she was born hard of hearing and continued when she was diagnosed at 13 with bilateral Ménière’s.  Vestibular symptoms have constantly been a part of her life. She went on to obtain her Bachelor's of Education with a minor in Geology and Astronomy from the University of Toledo in 1993 and worked towards her Master's in Special Needs/Language Specialist and Deaf Education at Notre Dame College in Cleveland, Ohio. Her advocacy for vestibular disorders began over a decade ago, drawing from her own journey as a lifelong bilateral Ménière’s and vestibular patient. For over 7 years she has been running online support groups,  pouring into others walking a similar path with these disorders, helping them move through life with these challenging symptoms.

​​​

​​

​​

​​

​​

Julieann Wallace - Julieann was diagnosed with Ménière’s in 1995. In 2020, she received a cochlear implant. She is the author of a best selling novel with a Ménière’s character, 'The Colour of Broken (2018)', twice longlisted to be made into a movie, and #1 on Amazon numberous times. It's available as an eBook and Audiobook. She wrote the sequel, 'All the Colours Above (2021)', where she cures Ménière’s with nanobot biomedicine technology, due to reader requests. She is the author of the 'Daily Ménière’s Journal', and 'It Will Change Your Life ~ a cochlear implant journey', and 'Ménière’s Woman'. 'Vanilla Swirl' and 'Blueberry Swirl' are picture books written for children who have a parent who is unwell. In 2023, Julieann released a middle school chapter book called 'The Adventures of Captain Vertigo ... and Fart Man'. She has released 10 novels under the name of Amelia Grace so far, and always mentions Ménière’s disease in them somewhere. She also writes picture books under her own name. She donates 100% of profits from the sales of her Ménière’s books to research to help find a cure. Julieann is a Ménière’s Research Australia Ambassador, Cochlear Implant Buddy with Cochlear Australia, and is also a part-time secondary teacher, artist, chocoholic, tea ninja, paper cut survivor, and tries not to scare off her cat with her terrible cello playing.​​​​​