A challenge for many people with motor speech symptoms from Parkinson’s disease is that they may not recognize and acknolwedge that their speech has actually changed. Because the common symptoms of low volume and reduced clarity have come about gradually, speech pathologists often need to focus on re-calibration and help the individual establish a new normal when speaking. Depending on the therapy approach used, patients may be coached to internalize a cue to “speak loud,” or to focus on every word and “speak with intent.” It is rewarding as a clinician to participate in a patient’s transformation from denial of a problem to motivation to improve, and it prompted the little Christmas Carol below.

On the 1st day of treatment, a patient said to me I am just a guy with PD

On the 2nd day of treatment, a patient said to me, I don’t have a problem, I ‘m just a guy with PD.

On the 3rd day of treatment, a patient said to me, my wife might have bad hearing, I don’t have a problem, I’m just a guy with PD.

On the 4th day of treatment, a patient said to me, I need to speak loud, my wife has bad hearing, but I  might have a problem, cause I think my voice got lower from PD

On the 5th day of treatment, a patient said to me:  it feels like I’m shouting, but I am speaking louder so my wife can hear me, I’m working on this problem, so my voice doesn’t suffer from PD.

On the 6th day of treatment, a patient said to me: my friends say I sound better,it feels like I’m shouting. I am speaking louder so my friends can hear me, working on this problem, so my voice won’t sound like a guy with PD.

On the 7th day of treatment, a patient said to me: I can feel the effort, friends say I sound better I don’t think I’m shouting; I am speaking louder so my wife can hear me, and so I can stop voice changes from PD?

On the 8th day of treatment a patient said to me: This is the new me, I can feel the effort, friends say I sound better, I don’t think I’m shouting, but I’m speaking louder so my wife can hear me , and so my voice won’t get worse from PD.

On the 9th day of treatment, a patient said to me: I can’t stop talking, this is the new me, I can feel the effort, friends say I sound better, I don’t think I’m shouting but I’m speaking louder so my wife can hear me, and to counter the effects of PD?

On the 10th day of treatment, a patient said to me: I’m glad I met you, I can’t stop talking, this is the new me, I can feel the effort, everyone can hear me, and my voice no longer struggles from PD.

On the 11th day of treatment, a patient said to me: This was worth the effort, I’m glad I met you, I can’t stop talking, this is the new me,  everyone can hear me, I know I must practice, so my voice no longer suffers from PD.

On the 12th day of treatment, a patient said to me: Who would have believed it, this was worth the practice, I’m glad I met you, I’m enjoying talking, this is the new me, I can feel the effort, everyone can hear me, and my voice no longer sounds like PD.

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My MissionTo enlist individuals in their treatment, and help them express their personality & spirit through voice. To educate  and empower. Mary Spremulli, MA, CCC-SLP * FiTOUR® Group Exercise Instructor * Voice Aerobics® A Whole Body Approach to Voice Practice

Voice Aerobics the heART and Science of Voice Practice