Testimonials
Harry
“My voice started fading away when I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. My wife would tell me to speak up but I already felt like I was shouting. I didn’t understand how to do what she wanted. When our grandchildren would come over, they would try to talk to me but would run off when they couldn’t hear my responses. After a few times they just stopped coming over to me. I became invisible at the dinner table, when we were watching the football game, and at family gatherings. My friends don’t even bother to invite me over anymore because they know I can’t talk to them like I used to. Deep down I wanted to go to Joe’s birthday party but I didn’t want to face the realization that I was different now. I had no voice. I started working with my therapist and my voice came back. I read to my grandchildren, go to dinner with my friends, and am happy. I feel like me again!”
Gene
“I was the CEO of the company and everyone listened to me. I commanded people’s attention in the boardroom. When I started losing my voice, I was afraid that I would lose their respect. They were always asking me to repeat myself. I started delegating my role to other people and felt like my employees were confused and questioning my authority in the company. When I started therapy, my confidence returned with my voice and I took back control over my life and my job. People listen when I talk, again, and I can do my job the way it needs to be done.”
Mark
“When I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, I thought, “Oh well, it will take me a little longer to get dressed in the mornings, a little longer to get where I want to go – I can live with that.” But I had no idea that Parkinson’s would come like a thief and rob my body of the ability to speak. I no longer have relationships with people and it has especially affected my marriage and my wife. It slowly invaded my life so I did not notice so much until now, my life is no longer what I had planned. I want my wife and my marriage back. I want my children and grandchildren to include me instead of me just sitting in my chair and watching them. They don’t talk to me because they can’t hear and understand me. I am still here but trapped in my body. I want to be a part of the conversations I hear. This is very lonely. Now that I have started therapy sessions with Parkinson’s Speech Recovery, I am finding my voice again!”
Audrey
“Singing was my life. I used to be the lead vocalist in a band and we would sing Linda Ronstadt tunes. My heart and head are full of lyrics and music but when I open my mouth, jumbled words fall out. I stutter and repeat and nothing comes out the way I want it to. Speaking is so difficult; I know I’ll never be able to sing again. It just makes me feel empty and alone inside. My doctor tells me this disease is degenerative when I tell him my problems. He just wants me to track what is happening and then gives me a prescription to solve the problem. Parkinson’s Speech Recovery has explained what has happened to me and given me the tools to begin to speak again, and I am even working on singing. I now have hope!”