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Tedi May - Diet, Exercise, Dr. Morton Cooper and Roger Love Techniques Helped Her Overcome SD June 12, 2004 My name is Tedi May. Here's by SD story. First, I started noticing I was clearing my throat a lot, and my voice felt very "tired' by evening. Then I developed a case of larangytis/upper respiratory infection about two years ago. Not long afterward, I couldn't speak at all. Sometimes I could muster a weak whisper, but it was very jerky and difficult to produce. I went to my family MD, who sent me to a voice and throat specialist (ENT). I was daignosed with "Bowed Vocal cords/ abductor spasmodic dysphonia approximately 2 years ago. The first year of trouble, I spent trying to figure out what was wrong. Once I got a daignosis, then I started looking for what had caused the problem, and how to fix it. The main things I identified with myself was loads of talking, not taking in near enough breath, high stress level, I held a great amount of tension in my upper chest and neck areas. So, I started on a quest of healing. I did have the saliva test for adrenal insuffeciency. I have a Medical
Doctor who also has a degree in holistic medicine, and he early on in
the diagnosis of my illness that I should test for the adrenal issue along
with thyroid testing. I don't remember all the details without looking it up in my file, but basically I was put on a thyroid replacement med for about four months, along with a major bunch of supplements for autoimmune problems. My doctor says that is why the adrenals and the thyroid weren't functioning properly- my immune system was destroying them! I remember having colonics once a week, took fiber and acidophilus daily, took PABA daily, a high potency multi-vitamin, started the raw food diet, took digestive enzymes, drank a fresh green drink two times daily, extra doses of calcium, magnesium, and b-vitamins daily. I also quit doing everything, except for working on my voice and working out every day. After about six months of that routine, I started feeling so much more energy and life in myself, I quit almost all the supplements. I stopped the thyroid meds, and haven't felt the need for any of that for the last six months. I drink about a 1/2 gallon of purified water daily, see my chiropractor every two weeks, sing almost constantly, and praise God without ceasing! Here's what I've done. I am recently 90-98% well. No whispering, no struggling, and I just have to do my exercises religiously, and take care to keep the stress from building up in my upper body. 1.) I went on about 85% raw food diet. It is called the "Hallelujah" diet. Basically lots of raw juice, fresh uncooked veggies and fruits, and lots of purified water. Not only did my energy level improve almost immediately, I lost 20 excess pounds, and my emotions leveled out dramatically, even with bearing the anxiety of the disorder. 2.) Started easy exercise program- walking, and light weightlifting around three days a week. 3.) Go to a NUCCA chiropractor ever two weeks. It has made a huge difference in my stifness and relaxations. 4.) Studied Dr. Morton Cooper's books and tapes. I went there for a week after studying his methods for a year. I improved immenesey by applying his methods. They included, humming and focusing my vioce into the front of my face instead of down in my throat ( the danger zone), and finding the pitch that is better than the whispery low one- for me being a female, it is about middle C on the piano. 5.) I started singing, and laughing every chance I can. And believe me,
I didn't feel like it. A big part of recovery for me has been learning
to overcome my feelings and press on! I sing to the Roger Love, set your
voice free cd, twice a day. 6.) I got a set of "Hearphones" they are very stupid looking, and work great. They look like clear headphones. They focus the sound I am producing so I can hear what I am doing. I wear them a lot while singing, and while doing my exercises. 7.) I have put a lot of stuff on hold that isn't absolutely necessary, and have learned that I don't talk unless I have warmed up in the morning, and gotten in a round of exercises, and gotten "Focused." 8.) Oh, the main thing I did was took a long hard look at my breathing, and found that I had been holding my breath a lot in between talking, talking till I ran out of air, and taking tiny, shallow breaths instead of breathing from my lower chest/ diephragm. I went to see a man in North Caroilna who is a breathing expert. He helped me with this awareness immensely. I hope I am not making this sound too easy. It has been frustrating, depressing, and life shattering. But I am so pleased to report and let you know that I am very close to being 100%. Actually, my voice is better than it ever was before, much clearer, stronger, and focused with proper breath support. And I haven't had to use any sort of medical interventions such as Botox or surgery, praise God.
Please feel free to contact me if I can help any of you. Kindest, Tedi May tcbh@mindspring.com More Hints "H" words help get the vocal engine going again. They foster
adequate breath for vocal production, because they require more breath
to produce that some other words. They also tend to open up the back of
the throat, and help immenesly with the "Nasal" problem. I have
found that when I say the "h" words,they work best to start
with when I practice in a relaxed environment that I enjoy. I have a sunny
music room with a couple of nice windows to look out, and privacy. Most men are typically more in the E, F, or G note below middle C, to the left of the middle "C" of the keyboard. Have a musician help you if you have a hard time finding this. Just find what is semi- comfortable for you! It will get better with lots of practice. I stand up nice and straight. Learn to monitor your body tenseness. Standing sraight up against the wall causes the diaphragm to be in a
neutral, relaxed position, and ready to work. b.) I then let the air out slowly, even putting my hands on my stomach to monitor and make sure it is going back in as I am saying the words. I Say an "H" word such as "How" "High" "Help" "Hello" "Hen" "Here" to the tone I have found on the piano. There are many "H" words to choose from. You can go to the "H" section of the dictionary and find lots of them. Just make sure they are simple, one syllable till you get completely comfortable with saying them. c.) Have fun with this. Fun is a rare commodity with this illness, and very important to pursue whenever possible.Try being silly, too. Hit the note you are comfortable with on the keyboard, and make sure you are alway striving for a note that puts the focus in the nose and lip area of your face, instead of down in you throat. You will start to feel a very tiny tingle in the front of your nose and upper lip when you are getting it in the right place. Don't push hard, just gentle. What helps me is to say my Dog's names in my "Pet Voice"( as high as possible).Suuuuuugar? Phoooooenix? Eat Here! Is what I say to start finding the right tone! I also make sure I hold the word out for a couple of seconds or whatever I feel comfortable with. Remember, say it real high in tone, a lot more than you would ever think naturally. It's take a great deal of focus, so just go very slowly to get all the factors in place. I do this exercise at least 30 minutes twice a day, along with some others that have worked. I have gotten to the point that I can do these anywhere, and it is translating to using lots of words and sentences with great ease and comfort. A.) check posture There are a lot more things you can work on, but this is such a fun and worthwhile place to start, and is very important. Kind Regards, Tedi May Back to http://www.spasmodicdysphonia.us
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