AHRF Note: This story includes difficult content.
Many – but not all – individuals who have Meniere’s disease are able to bring their symptoms under control. As Lauren Hedrick describes her grandfather’s experience, we’re reminded why it’s so important for AHRF to support and promote Meniere’s disease research.
Like many disorders, the symptoms of Meniere’s disease – which may include vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss – can affect a person’s life to varying degrees. Lauren Hedrick’s grandfather, Samuel “Sammy” Weavil (“my papaw” as she says), lived to age 75, and he struggled with the symptoms of Meniere’s disease for about 55 of those years. In fall of 2023, Lauren and her friend Kenzi Reddick hosted the first “2Morrow Needs You” run with proceeds going to prevent suicide, which took her grandfather’s life. Lauren made sure a third – $6,500 – went to AHRF for Meniere’s disease research. Laura explains, “I wanted to do something in his name, because he was one of the most wonderful people I’ve ever known.”
Lauren’s grandfather’s vertigo episodes began at age 21 after he finished his stint in the U.S. army in Germany and returned home to North Carolina. Sammy’s hearing diminished permanently with each episode. He also developed a ringing in his ears. By the time Lauren knew him in his 40s, she recalls him “saying it was roaring inside his head.”
Sammy eventually was diagnosed with Meniere’s disease by the nationally known neurotologist, Michael E. Glasscock III. Lauren noted, “My papaw really respected him” and tried many treatment options under his care.
One of Dr. Glastock’s suggestions was to focus on a hobby. Lauren explains that her grandfather “took up video. He dove into having the best equipment and was interested in technology advancements.” Lauren describes how he enjoyed weekend visits with his grandchildren, and videotaped everything from their activities to simple breakfast conversations like the one with Lauren pictured above. He worked hard to keep physically fit, using his at-home gym “when the noises weren’t too bad. He had six-pack abs into his 50s.” And his religious faith became deeply important.
But losses began to take a toll. Sammy missed the music he loved as a teenager. He had to quit his job in the furniture manufacturing industry due to disability. He and his wife divorced, and he struggled to communicate with family members. Eventually he stopped seeing Dr. Glasstock when treatment options didn’t help.
In his 60s, Sammy had cochlear implant surgery. “I was there when they turned on the CI,” Lauren recounts. “He said he could hear me, but I sounded like a chipmunk.” The audiologist explained that his brain would need to be trained. “As much as she tried to help, and as much as he tried, when he knew he wouldn’t actually hear what our voices sounded like, he gave up. He’d turn the CI device on in his later years because it would cancel out the tinnitus. Sometimes he’d turn it on just to take a nap.”
Throughout her childhood, Lauren saw firsthand how her grandfather “loved our family more than anything” and how his life was impacted by his Meniere’s symptoms. Now she wants to make the 2Morrow Needs You 5K an annual event. She explains, “I hope anything I can say or do will play a part in research to find help for these people” who struggle with Meniere’s. This year’s race takes place September 28, 2024, in Archdale, North Carolina.