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I finished Lee Silverman as well in May with the same positive results; however, I did NOT continue practicing even though i had intended to - probably because i was distracted by the chronic back pain that started just about then, and the related stress. IOW - excuses, excuses. But i have started my 20 minutes/day again last week and am confident i can get it back. I really slipped. PD is a battle, a war, the best you can hope to do is fight it to a draw. But if you value the quality of your life, it's worth it not to give up and lose outright. Craig, where did you take it? I went to JFK Hospital in Edison. Thought they did well with it.-----Original Message----- From: Craig Mellinger <[log in to unmask]> To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN <[log in to unmask]> Date: Monday, August 31, 1998 12:36 AM Subject: Re: Are Communication Losses Typical? >I recently finished a speech therapy program called the Lee Silverman >voice and speech Therapy. It consists of 4 classes a week of 1 hour. >each for 4 weeks.The only other person with you in the class is the >therapist.There is follow up appt for a month after you complete the >course.I followed the course and was very satisfied with the progess I >made. The course that is outlined here sound a lot like the one i just >finished.IT was developed with the need of the Parkinson patient in >mind.The excercises are aimed at keeping the throat muscless strong and >the comittment to do the excercises every day. The only conact info >Monte Wetzler wrote: >> >> I went through voice therapy designed for PWPs. It did make a substatantial >> difference, but in order to maintain the level of improvement and perhaps even >> extend it does require twice daily practice as prescribed. But it only takes >> about 10 -15 mins. a time. >> >> Leo Fuhr wrote: >> >> > Bonnie Cunningham, RN replied in part: >> > >> > > Communication problems, such as those mentioned (speaking, writing, >> > > thinking, typing, organizing thoughts) can indeed be problems associated >> > > with PD. >> > > >> > > Changes in speech and voice are often the first noticable sign of PD. >> > > With PD the muscles in the throat, just as the muscles of the arms and >> > > legs, are affected which results in speech and/or swallowing >> > difficulties. >> > > To improve the quality of the voice and to PREVENT choking, it is >> > > recommended to have an evaluation by a Speech Pathologist who can then >> > > teach you exercises to improve the muscle tone and flexibility of muscles >> > > used for speech and swallowing. FYI, we (NPF) have a new updated (free) >> > > book available on Speech and Swallowing. The book is called "Speaking >> > > Out". To obtain a copy, please call us at 1-800-327-4545. >> > > >> > > With the writing and typing difficulties, these dexterity problems can be >> > > improved, again with certain exercises. Seeking an evaluation from an >> > > occupational therpaist may be beneficial. >> > > >> > > The thought processes can be affected too. Just as important as the >> > > therapies mentioned above (by the way, physical therapy is suggested >> > too), >> > > "exercising" the brain is helpful. Keeping the brain as active as >> > possible >> > > helps stimulate the thought processes. >> > > Hopefully, by doing specific exercises for the specifc problems you have, >> > > you will be able to improve in all these areas and if continued >> > regularly, >> > > maintain status quo for a longer period of time. It is impossible for >> > > anyone to say how rapidly these or any PD problems will progress as each >> > > and every case is different. >> > > >> > > Bonnie Cunningham, R.N. >> > > Patient Services Director >> > > National Parkinson Foundation >> > >> > Bonnie and others, >> > >> > When I attended a Parkinson's Rally in July 98 I was disappointed in the >> > speech therapist who talked to the group. This particular therapist seemed >> > to think that working with Parkinson's patients to improve speech was >> > usually not very successful. The way I understood her reasoning, it was >> > because without continued daily practice, most therapies would quickly show >> > no improvement and then a person is back to the problem again. Is this >> > interpretation correct? Do Parkies need to continually practice the speech >> > or swallowing therapies daily to not see the problems recurring? >> > >> > Thanks for any input you may have on this angle about speech therapy. >> > >> > The occupational therapist was the more upbeat of the two.....showed >> > demonstration by seating herself and the featured neuro on chairs atop the >> > head table how to sit and rise easier from the type of chairs at the rally. >> > Also mentioned home made remedies like taping foam rubber to pens, >> > utensils to make for better grip or a button gripper from a paper clip. >> > >> > Jeanette Fuhr 47/9mo >> > <[log in to unmask]> >> > > >I have is this.Contact Lisa Lafer Serviss,MA,CCC-SLP AT Morristown >Memorial Hospital.95 Mt.Kemble Ave. Moristown N.J 07962-1978 phone is >973-971-4529.Craig Mellinger 60/2. >[log in to unmask] >