Today I completed my 4th week of LSVT LOUD therapy sessions (1 hour a day, 4 days a week) with Michelle Chastain-Gaid, Speech-Language Pathologist, at The Swain Center in Santa Rosa, CA. Looking back over the journal Michelle had me keep I remember my feelings and concerns during this time.
In the beginning I was given a baseline evaluation. At that time my voice was quite raspy, strained and weak. It was not steady and would fade in and out. Michelle said I have nice, high pitches, but my lower register sounds were much more unsteady and difficult. I had an 'ah-ha' moment about the importance of taking a deep breath before speaking, making it easier to project so much better. With each session I have become more aware of how I am sounding and how my throat is feeling. I have been trying to control my breath so that it an help me to project. THINK LOUD is a constant reminder--whether it is from Michelle, the sign on the wall, my own thoughts or the red button that says those words! Since Parkinson's came into my life (my diagnosis was a year and a half ago) I have felt my speech was not only weak, but also slow and hesitant. Often it was difficulty for me to formulate what I was wanting to say. I also felt I had lost some of the expression and animation in my voice. Since being involved with the LSVT therapy I have become much more aware of the concentration it takes to overcome these weak areas. It takes work--and homework!--but it has definitely been worth the effort. I feel so much better about the way I sound and this has boosted my confidence.
I was videotaped at the beginning of the course and again on the last day. The improvement shown is remarkable! My plan is to keep practicing all the things I have learned these past 4 weeks so that my voice will sound strong and confident for a long, long time!
In the beginning I was given a baseline evaluation. At that time my voice was quite raspy, strained and weak. It was not steady and would fade in and out. Michelle said I have nice, high pitches, but my lower register sounds were much more unsteady and difficult. I had an 'ah-ha' moment about the importance of taking a deep breath before speaking, making it easier to project so much better. With each session I have become more aware of how I am sounding and how my throat is feeling. I have been trying to control my breath so that it an help me to project. THINK LOUD is a constant reminder--whether it is from Michelle, the sign on the wall, my own thoughts or the red button that says those words! Since Parkinson's came into my life (my diagnosis was a year and a half ago) I have felt my speech was not only weak, but also slow and hesitant. Often it was difficulty for me to formulate what I was wanting to say. I also felt I had lost some of the expression and animation in my voice. Since being involved with the LSVT therapy I have become much more aware of the concentration it takes to overcome these weak areas. It takes work--and homework!--but it has definitely been worth the effort. I feel so much better about the way I sound and this has boosted my confidence.
I was videotaped at the beginning of the course and again on the last day. The improvement shown is remarkable! My plan is to keep practicing all the things I have learned these past 4 weeks so that my voice will sound strong and confident for a long, long time!
Ann Walker
Santa Rosa, CA
March 24, 2011
Santa Rosa, CA
March 24, 2011
No comments:
Post a Comment