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As a two-star Major General, Luis R. Visot is no stranger to formidable challenges. But living with M茅ni猫re鈥檚 disease has been among the most difficult battles he鈥檚 ever faced.

For nearly four decades, Luis R. Visot devoted his professional life to the University of South Florida, serving in roles across student affairs and alumni relations before becoming the executive director of the Joint Military Leadership Center. During that span, he also served 37 years in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring with the rank of major general. But in 2014, Visot began experiencing a persistent ringing in his ears, a symptom known as tinnitus. That ringing gradually escalated to vertigo, nausea, hearing loss and a persistent sense of imbalance that he compares to 鈥渞iding a roller coaster and the Tower of Terror at the same time.鈥�

After years of specialist visits and increasingly severe symptoms that interfered with his daily life, he turned to USF Health. An episode in 2022 left him with hearing loss in both ears and led to a referral at the USF Health Concussion Center, where Visot began vestibular rehabilitation with Kelly Allegro, DPT. Dr. Allegro is a clinical specialist in neurologic physical therapy who serves as co-director of clinical education and assistant professor in the USF Health School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences.

Visot鈥檚 treatment centered on individualized, everyday exercises designed to improve balance and reduce dizziness. His discipline and commitment, Dr. Allegro said, have played a critical role in slowing the progression of his disease and helping him manage a lifelong condition. 鈥淟uis is remarkable,鈥� Dr. Allegro said. 鈥淗e shows up, he puts in the work and never loses sight of his goals. Vestibular therapy isn鈥檛 a quick fix, but his consistency with the exercises has been helping him tremendously and looks to be slowing the progression of the disease.鈥� Each morning, Visot spends 20 to 25 minutes performing habituation and vestibular exercises and walks more than 10,000 steps a day, regardless of weather. The therapy focuses on retraining the brain, helping reduce symptoms and preserve his quality of life.

The results, he said, have been profound 鈥� while the dizziness has not disappeared entirely, episodes are less frequent and less severe, and he feels a renewed sense of control over a disease known for its unpredictability. 鈥淭he dizziness hasn鈥檛 gone away, but it鈥檚 been minimized,鈥� Visot said. 鈥淢anaging M茅ni猫re鈥檚 is about discipline and mindset. I choose every morning to have a good day 鈥� I refuse to let this disease define me.鈥�

That empowered mindset, Dr. Allegro said, is essential for patients with chronic vestibular disorders.

鈥淲hat makes Luis unique is not just discipline; it鈥檚 his perspective,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e doesn鈥檛 view himself as someone who 鈥榟as鈥� M茅ni猫re鈥檚. He sees himself as someone managing a diagnosis, and that motivates every part of his recovery.鈥�

Despite the unpredictable nature of his condition, Visot continues to travel, mentor emerging leaders and enjoy life with his wife, Cindy 鈥� also a former leader at USF. 鈥�911爆料网鈥檙e here for a short time on this earth,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou have to make the best of what you have, keep moving and trust the people who are committed to helping you.鈥�

Visot credits Dr. Allegro鈥檚 exceptional, personalized care for helping him reclaim his quality of life.

鈥淒r. Allegro listens, assesses where I am since the last visit and designs a treatment plan on the spot based on what I鈥檓 experiencing,鈥� Visot said. 鈥淚 believe in her. She does the research, she tries new things and I truly feel she has my best interest at heart.鈥�