Our Speak Out! Programme for people with Parkinson’s continues to receive positive feedback from its participants.
The therapy programme is run by our Community Speech and Language Therapy team and was developed by the Parkinson Voice Project, to help people with Parkinson’s and related neurological disorders regain and retain their speech. The treatment combines education, individual and group speech therapy, daily home practice, and continuous follow-ups.
Here Russell Gorham, a patient who has completed the therapy programme, tells us about his experience.
“I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2021, which came as an unpleasant surprise. Since then, I have managed quite well with the help of my wife, who has been wonderfully supportive and patient, and similarly my family. The physical changes have mostly affected my mobility, particularly my balance. Some changes I don’t notice myself, and they have to be pointed out to me to take note of and deal with.
“One of these was that my voice had become quieter, making it harder for people to hear me, coupled with a blurring of my diction at times. I was unaware of this as it all sounded the same as always to me. My Parkinson’s Nurse recommended speech therapy and I was added to the waiting list.
“When my turn came I was both pleased and somewhat apprehensive. The Speak Out therapy has proved to be very beneficial, and the excellent therapists very quickly dispelled my apprehension. They have been empathetic, supportive and made the learning fun.
“Having learned what to do I am now trying to apply it to my daily life by speaking out, being more careful with diction, pronunciation and speaking louder. This re-learning is taking some effort to apply, especially speaking louder, but am getting there.
“The Speak Out therapy is very well worth while, but needs good therapists, as I have had, able to empathise and encourage. You also need to recognise and accept that others have difficulty hearing you – even though you think nothing has changed – and that you need help to improve.”