community for people with voice problems started by The Lary Project

Hello Again!

Dear Friends,

A number of years ago I joined The Lary Project but due to various reasons I have not been able to commit very much time to the cause. However, i'm now hoping to contribute once again. I'll provide a short recap of my story...

Back in 2005 I was diagnosed with Recurrent Respiratory Papilloma (RRP) a condition that causes benign growths in and around the larynx and/or respiratory tract. Due to these growths impacting on the vocal folds my voice quality is effected and I have some associated swallowing issues. Currently there is no cure for this condition as its viral in nature and so far I have had surgery 8 times since 2005 to debulk the papillomata on my vocal cords and to give me back some voice quality. The papilloma tend to regrow back between 3-5 months after surgery. Surgey under general anaesthetic is the only effective treatment available in UK. My condition is kept in check at my local hospital voice clinic where I attend three times a years. Left untreated the papilloma can grow so large that they would close off the airway and cause breathing difficulties.

When I first discovered The Lary Project, it was fantastic to learn of others who were in a similar position to me - the feeling of not being alone in my voice impaired world was very comforting. Additionally, I found some of the very practical advice offered to be really useful. Since diagnosis in 2005 I have been on quite an emotional roller coaster. Like many people who suffer from a voice disorder, the condition came on very suddenly and previously I had a 'normal' functioning voice. The dramatic deterioration in my voice and my inability to interact with family, friends, co-workers and clients at work had a profound effect on my emotional well being and as a conseqence I suffered a period of reactive depression for a number of years. A succesful career in local government was in tatters and due to sustained discrimination all linked to my voice disorder I was resigned from my post on the grounds of constructive dismissal. Through the support of my partner, a very understanding GP and a course of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) I eventually came out of this bad period and survived to fight another day!

Since I have accepted my voice impairment is here to stay (until a cure is found) it has enabled me to concentrate on just getting on with my life! I have needed to adapt my lifestyle as I can't socialise the way I did before, if friends and family want to spend time in my company then it has to be on my terms, organising a get together in a pub or bar on busy saturday night is just out of the question for me! friends and family understand this now and we choose voice friendly venues (just some where we can hear each other speak!!) Since leaving my local government employment I am in my secod job now working within the NHS. Unlike my previous local government employer, I have been supported by my new employer and offered help and support right from the application process through to on-going help in employment.

I hope to make contact with as many of my 'voice problem friends' as possible in the coming weeks and months.

Very best wishes, Nathan x

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Permalink Reply by Becky Doggett on December 11, 2011 at 23:47

Hi Nathan, nice to meet you (in a way!!)

I have been on the lary project website for about 6/7months now, and like you I found it such a relief to be able to talk to people who have similar problems to myself, and no I'm not alone! I have also found it interesting to discover quite how many different voice problems there are out there, as you don't really tend to hear about them unless you have got one yourself.

It is believed I have a psychogenic voice problem. Last November I was unwell and kept picking up cold after cold. I had a cold and had the flu jab, and then that night was really unwell, the same the following day, and then the day after that I woke up without a voice. They think I got laryngitis and because of everything that was going on and the stress I was under, I essentially "forgot" how to talk, and have only spoken in a whisper since. I lost my job as a result of it, and have had lots of other health issues such as severe headaches, loss of concentration and fatigue. Similar to you, as a result of all of this I have suffered from multiple mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. It's taken me a long time to agree to go and get CBT but I am finally coming round to agreeing to do it.

When all of this happened, I had taken a year out of Uni to do some work (which as mentioned above, I lost my job about a month after becoming unwell) and spent a long time essentially doing nothing because of my health issues, and for about 3/4months all I was able to do was spend the majority of time in bed, because the problems with my head where so severe. I finally got fed up of doing nothing with my life and decided to come back to Uni at the end of September, which has been a massive struggle, and it has been really difficult to study with all the health issues I have had, added to the anxiety I have had through loosing my voice, being in public and meeting new people.

Although I am finding Uni extremely difficult I am still fighting through each day, and although the motivation isn't always there, I have a lot more determination that my peers and plan things more thoroughly (mainly because I have to, as there are times I physically can't do anything and clearly these times can't be planned for, so I need to ensure I work when I can).

When I find the time I have decided to continue with my original plan and try to find a graduate job within HR (my degree is in Business and HR, and the job I had was in HR), however I know I am really going to be at a disadvantage when there are hundreds of graduates going for the same job yet they don't have the health issues I do and can speak on a phone properly! I am really pleased to hear you have found the help and support to get your new job! Was there anything in particular you did or seeked to help you gain employment?

Sorry, that turned into a big rant about me!! Just thought I would introduce myself anyway!