Julieann was diagnosed with Meniere’s disease in 1995.
In 2004, she received a full-strength dose of gentamicin into her left ear through her grommet to destroy her balance cells to stop the violent debilitating vertigo. It saved her life. And in late 2019 and early 2020, she received a cochlear implant that changed her life. Both were answered prayers.
Julieann is the author of a bestselling novel with a Ménière’s character, The Colour of Broken, twice longlisted to be made into a movie. And she wrote the sequel – All the Colours Above – due to reader requests. She is the author of the Daily Ménière’s Journal, and It Will Change Your Life ~ a cochlear implant journey. 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 (adults love it too!). And then in 2024, Julieann released Meniere’s Woman, after being frustrated that there were no books for Meniere’s women written by a woman.
In 2025, Julieann is the subject of The Brisbane Portrait Prize, asked to sit for the portrait by artist Denise Cross, who was inspired by Julieann’s journey, and how she has turned around the negativity of Meniere’s disease, into positivity by helping others.
Julieann donates 100% of profits from the sales of her Ménière’s books to research to help find a cure – including Universities researching Meniere’s disease in Australia, the Meniere’s Society UK, and The American Hearing Research Foundation.
Julieann is a Ménière’s Research Australia Ambassador for Meniere’s Research Australia. Through her pre-Meniere’s days, active Meniere’s days, and Free from Vertigo days (thanks to gentamicin), Julieann worked as a primary teacher, a secondary teacher, artist, writer, and has three now adult children.
Julieann is also a self-declared chocoholic, tea ninja, paper cut survivor, and tries not to scare off her cat, Claude Monet, or her mini dachshund, Pable Picasso, with her terrible cello playing.
My Shadow - Meniere's 