"Speech Therapy at Coathill Hospital"

I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease this year and my initial experience with the Movement Disorder Clinic at the Glen Affric Day Center was very negative.   

However, I was fortunate to be assigned to Leanne for speech therapy and finally found an empathetic and caring person who was prepared to listen.  She provided me with the names of some of the symptoms I was troubled by and exercises to improve the problem.  Leanne also gave me the telephone number of the Parkinsons Nurse and suggested I call her and get her input on medication adjustments. This was good advice and I am very glad I took it,

Leanne also arranged to have me meet Katie, another empathetic and caring speech therapist to be tested for the LVST programme; and when she had a cancellation on a recent course gave me the opportunity to take it.  Knowing that Parkinsons would eventually impact my voice I was thinking of it as a prophylactic measure.  I was wrong, I was already having problems. Since finishing the course my friends have noticed that my voice is stronger and have said they no longer have to strain to hear me. 

I have noticed that my sentences do not die away due to lack of breath and volume.  I have more confidence in speaking up in social situations with strangers  and acquaintances and as a result have become more social.  I join the knitting group for tea and conversation once a week (hats for the homeless) and conduct a weekly armchair exercise session for fellow residents who have balance difficulties. (I know they can hear me because they laugh at my jokes :) ).

I also have conversations regularly now with fellow dog walkers.

An interesting beneficial side effect of the LSVT training program is that I no longer have the characteristic writing style of a Parkinson patient and have my normal signature once again.  

In conclusion, I have found the  Speech Therapy  Department  to be the most helpful to me in adjusting to life with Parkinsons and feel very lucky to have met both Leanne and Katie.