Re: Speech Therapy-success story

[Guest guest]

Sara

I had great success with speech therapy. I know I HAVE to be

different. I had to do the exercises 12 times a day. My therapist

has all this equipment to measure every aspect: nasality,

articulation, intonation. When I started even my swallowing was

affected and they gave me 6 months to live. The problem was the

flopping soft palate. At my low point 78% of my talking air was going

out my nose (normal 35+/_5%).

I'm now at 40%. Granted 12 sessions a day controled my whole life.

I'd drive people crazy by shopping and doing therapy. lol

However, I felt my choice was therapy or die!!!!

While all exercises work the most beneficial were:

Blowing through a straw to move a marble across a counter. I used a

shooter marble.

Blowing up new balloons three times in a row. Note - when I started

this one I would have had better luck if I could have fastened the

balloon opening around my nose. lol I tried pinching my nose closed

to get the balloon started. Now if you want people to really look at

you funny try this one at the stoplights. lol

I went from 60% understandability to 90%. I do one therapy in the

morning now - sort of stretches things out. I follow that by an hour

of gum chewing. Seriously that also exercies those muscles. Our

speech muscles are like our legs if they sit idle they freeze. I'm

now known as the woman sho can't talk right but won't shut up/

Eva is WV

Finding a way everyday

[Guest guest]

Morning Eva in WV,

Enjoyed reading your post to Sara on exercises for speech.

When I went to local hospital for therapy she said exercises would only

aggravate the problem. Made an appointment for me to see about a palate

lift, which I canceled because of having to use a partial and tongue

affected and bad gag reflex. Don't think she was really much good at

what she does.

I can't blow out a candle without holding nose.

So I know I have nasal problem some.

Is your tongue affected at all? By that I mean is it bulky looking? I

can move tongue, no problem, just not as much room in my mouth as there

used to be. Neuro said tongue was not " fatter " but I am not blind.

I have kept your exercises to try but would like to hear from you.

Thanks for the info.

Are you the one moving to Fla?

Smiles,

Arlene

[Guest guest]

Hi Arlene

When I first started with the speech therapy my tongue was 'thick'

and would hardly move at all in the side to side exercise. All the

doctors kept watching for fasiculations in my tongue to confirm their

suspicions of ALS but that never happened. My tongue now moved

normally except on occ. bad days when it slows.

I never thought I would get it to move normal again nor did I ever

think I could blow up a balloon again. But it worked.

Granted my family and friends were so tired of hearing and seeing the

therapies that they would automatically start chanting with

me...which is really irritating because they would try and speed me

up.

Now the only part of my speech I haven't been able to improve is the

speed at which I repeat consonants. You probably know that

one:pateka, pateka, pateka or

I went to the Episcopalean church. repeated 5 times as quickly as

possible.

And yep I'm the one moving to Florida solo

Eva in WV

Finding a way everyday

[Guest guest]

Eva

Where in Florida have you looked ? My Sweety and i are going down in May to buy

Somewhere on the west coast or Midddle ?Have a Nice Day GEO

Re: Speech Therapy-success story

Hi Arlene

When I first started with the speech therapy my tongue was 'thick'

and would hardly move at all in the side to side exercise. All the

doctors kept watching for fasiculations in my tongue to confirm their

suspicions of ALS but that never happened. My tongue now moved

normally except on occ. bad days when it slows.

I never thought I would get it to move normal again nor did I ever

think I could blow up a balloon again. But it worked.

Granted my family and friends were so tired of hearing and seeing the

therapies that they would automatically start chanting with

me...which is really irritating because they would try and speed me

up.

Now the only part of my speech I haven't been able to improve is the

speed at which I repeat consonants. You probably know that

one:pateka, pateka, pateka or

I went to the Episcopalean church. repeated 5 times as quickly as

possible.

And yep I'm the one moving to Florida solo

Eva in WV

Finding a way everyday

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