Dear BrendaS,I don't know how long you have had sd but I know exactly how you feel. You are certainly not on your own that's a fact. The way I deal with it is that the people I have to talk to have two options. They either accept that I have poor voice quality or they don't. Having had sd for about 7 years know most of my friends and family have come to accept the fact that my voice is less than perfect. I find when I run into someone who I haven't seen since I developed sd then they always say "What's the matter with your voice?" I used to try and explain abou sd but usually saw just a confused expression on their faces. Half trying to listen to my croaking straining voice and have trying to comprehend this bizarre story about some rare condition which usually is way above their heads. So I started just saying " Oh, I just have a cold" knowing that I probably won't run into them for another seven years or so.
Be confident. Stand square, look them in the face and do your best. Let them think what they want to think. This condition is NOT your fault.
Hope this helps
Davidm
