I have been employed as a speech-language pathologist since 1981. I have enjoyed providing therapy to a wide range of ages and speech/language disabilities. I have a long history of success in the field, and was enjoying the job I felt I was meant to do in my life. 

    However, in late April of 2004, my life changed. After a year of great stress, a bout of laryngitis failed to abate. Instead, I plummeted into the devastation of Spasmodic Dysphonia. Over a period of about 6 months, I became almost unable to speak intelligibly. With a formal diagnosis of Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia in August 2004, I set about to challenge and overcome this condition. I was told that the only treatment for it was to receive botulinum toxin injections for the rest of my life. I simply could not accept it. My voice became so strangled, I could not continue working. I took a leave of absence in December 2004, with the idea that a problem as severe as mine would require a full-time commitment to the process of recovery. It was a frightening place to be, but I did believe that I could recover my voice with the right approach.

    I did recover my voice, so that I began to foresee this as something that happened for a reason. I lost my voice, and recovered it, so I could help others do the same. I’ve had periods of complete remission, and periods of mild-moderate struggle. I have not utilized botox, but lifestyle management and vocal exercises. Currently retired from practice.