How scary would it be, if you suddenly lost your ability to speak?

There was a story in the news about a man named Peter. When Peter was 73 years old, he had a stroke. He survived the stroke, but he found that he could no longer speak. And it looked like that condition was permanent, because after 4 years, he still had no voice.

But then, Peter was on vacation with his wife Carol, and their son Jonathan. And one day Peter just woke up, and he was able to speak again. He just started speaking, and Carol said, “Peter, you’re speaking!” Then she said, “Don’t stop, keep talking! It might go away again!”

Jonathan was in the next room and heard two people having a conversation and came rushing in wondering what was happening. They all started crying and laughing at the same time. It was a very emotional time because it had been so long.

Later that day, Peter found out that he had had ANOTHER stroke. They wondered if whatever damage the first stroke had done, was now UNdone by the second stroke. Doctors were doubtful of that, but even they didn’t have an explanation. Peter is just happy to have his voice back.

My guest today is Vanessa. She experienced something similar – some kind of sudden, mysterious condition that showed up with multiple symptoms, including taking away her voice.

What makes Vanessa’s story even more fascinating is her career – she’s a speech therapist.

If you’d like to contact Vanessa:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speechless_slp/?hl=en

Her book:

Speechless: How a Speech Therapist Lost Her Ability to Speak and Her Silent Struggle to Reclaim Her Voice and Life –

https://www.amazon.com/Speechless-Therapist-Ability-Struggle-Reclaim/dp/B0DS96R6XT

Full show notes and pictures for this episode are here:

https://WhatWasThatLike.com/230

Graphics for this episode by Bob Bretz. Transcription was done by James Lai.

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230: Vanessa lost her voice

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