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Posted by: marilyn ® 02/21/2010, 11:32:48 |
I have written before about jobs and how to deal with SD. I am 23 and only 6 months into getting diagnosed so I'm still working out the kinks for dealing with this. I was wondering if people could give me some feedback with how they deal with the 2-3 week period of not being talk loud enough at work. I am unable to accept that I will have to get a much less paying job that involves barely any talking in order for my botox injections not to interfere with the job. How accepting are your employers? Do you take the weeks off where you have no voice? I would also like to hear from any nurses out there because thats what i want to do and ive come too far to give that up. Also, im waiting to apply for jobs until after my voice comes back. Do you think I should just apply with my bad voice and lay it all on the table? I would appreciate any type of feedback I can get. Thank you all so much! -Marilyn |
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Posted by: Renee ® 02/21/2010, 15:10:55 |
Try not to get too wrapped up in botox and keeping jobs. If I were you, I would be honest in the job interview and tell them that you have a voice disorder. Organizations nowadays can get into alot of trouble if they discriminate. That being said, it is true that some places will be better than others about accepting a strange sounding voice. Try to get a job with the government. They are, generally, better than the private sector about treating people with disabilities...Good Luck!!! Renee ADSD/ Austin, TEXAS |
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Posted by: Kansaskate ® 03/03/2010, 17:30:48 |
I've worked for a State agency for 16 years. They tolerate my voice. I stopped getting injections two years ago as they were no long helping. I have trouble getting people to understand me on the phone, but to be honest I have trouble understanding some of them too. Hang in there. |
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Posted by: TerryPat ® 02/21/2010, 20:52:01 |
Hi Marilyn, I really sympahize. You are in a job situation that requires a lot of verbal communication. I think you should continue with your studies, get the botox and come clean on interviews. I think your condition can be accomodated, and I also think you will have a greater ability to relate to your patients, and they with you. Best of luck to you!
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Posted by: Irish ® 02/22/2010, 11:47:14 |
Hi Marilyn, Please contact me by email as I have an article on a lawyer's advice on this matter. Stick to your guns. I totally agree with the TerryPat's about you being a role model for patients and that your place of employment must accommodate you. You can also use an amplifier when you have a weak voice. You are about the age I was when I started my teaching career with SD. It's not easy and there are good and bad people out there in the work force. You need to be prepared to handle that. |
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Posted by: darlenelp ® 03/01/2010, 12:11:11 |
Hi Marilyn, I am in a similar situation as you. I'm 32 yrs old and have been diagnosed for little over a year. I am a reg ed teacher and obviously depend on my voice. I tried to teach for the first four months of being diagnosed. I was pregnant at the time so I couldn't have botox. It was the worst 4 mos of my life. After having the baby, I'm now on my 2nd trial of botox. I've been out of work for this school year on sick leave due to the voice/maternity. For the first trial of botox in Dec, I was using my sick time as well for the breathy period that lasted about 2 weeks. I then tried to return to work but my good voice only lasted about 1 week and I was out on medical leave again. For my current dosage I am on an unpaid leave because I've used up my sick time. Unfortunately, I plan on using my sick time/unpaid time during the breathy periods of the future as well. I'm also debating on whether to return to work as soon as my voice becomes stronger, not knowing how long it will last, or just take the rest of the year unpaid and get a better handle on which dosage will provide me with a strong voice for as long as possible. I'm also looking into getting a second opinion and continuing weekly voice therapy sessions. Definitely don't give up your dream of becoming a nurse. I battle the thought of giving up my dream of teaching too but I've gone through my Bachelor's, Master's, and waiting 8 years for the grade and position that I have now and don't want to lose all that. If you have the opportunity for a job interview, I wouldn't pass it up if I were you. I know it's so hard to be put on the spot and in an unfamiliar position with SD but your employer will eventually come to know of the SD too. I suppose you could use a voice amplifier if needed. I don't use one yet, as I am not at the point of acceptance where I want to. Good luck. |
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Posted by: mjerniga ® 03/01/2010, 13:37:30 |
I'm a former elementary teacher who is now working in a community college position. I developed SD about 9 years ago. I also find it extremely difficult and frustrating to endure the "breathy" stage following botox injections. I do a lot of teacher training on technology issues at the college. I try to schedule sessions around my weakest times, but sometimes that can't be avoided. I can empathize with your problem. I suggest being honest in your applications and interviews. Many places will work with you and your condition. My co-workers have been extremely tolerant and accepting. |
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Posted by: Jennifer J. Roy ® 03/02/2010, 19:17:34 |
Hi Marilyn
I too am a nurse and have been on disablity for the past 16 months,as my company will not accommodate the return to work recommendations by my speech therapist. I too am looking for new work. Some suggestions. Make a list of all achievements that you have accomplished in your life, both personal and professional. This will help to identify some strengths thatyou can focus on in your job search. What are you passionate about? Perhaps you could look into research areas around your passion. Other jobs that have reports or planning every three months, when your voice isn't working so well. Continue with your job search even when your voice isn't so good. Otherwise you'll lose momentum and become more discouraged. If someone comments on your voice, let them know that you have a disorder, receiving treatment, and that you're trying to work around it. Network through friends and colleagues, and anyone else that you know. They may have referrals for you based on their knowledge of your skills and integrity. Nursing is the most veratile profession that I know and your basic skills provide qualifications for any number of positions. You may need to relocate in order to do what you love and protect your voice. Ask your doctor for a referral to wherever you plan to go or be prepared to return for treatments. If you area has a support group join it, if not, start one, as I'm doing now. I notice that when we embrace what life hands us, are resourceful and persistent, we will find a new direction that is prosperous and fulfilling. I wish you success! Jennifer |
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Posted by: lorib724 ® 03/02/2010, 23:54:06 |
My employers have always been very understanding. When I get my botox, they forget I even have SD, so when I ask for someone else to start covering the phones for me, they ask me why! Its sort of sweet, because I know they love it when I'm on the phones. It makes me work harder and makes me a better employee and they work hard to make things easy for me too. Its a win win for everyone. I have to say that I've gotten jobs with a bad (really bad) voice and with a very good voice. It doesn't matter. You just have to have the confidence that you're the best one for the job regardless of the SD. Also, just a side note, when there are times when I have important events coming up and I can't take the time to tolerate the side effects, I lower my dose. It won't last as long, but I won't have any side effects that interrupt the flow of everyday life. I get my injection and I'm right back to the normal swing of things the next day. Talk to your doctor about your concerns and hopefully he'll be able to make it work better for you. Lori |
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Posted by: psw ® 03/05/2010, 18:42:41 |
Marilyn, I am a nurse and have a double problem, not only do I have Spasmodic Dysphonia, but I have writer's cramp which is a spasmodic dystonia of my hand, when I try to write my hand will just jerk back and forth- sort of like a pre-schooler that scribbles. I cannot hold a pen in the normal position in my hand when I write, I have to use "fat" pens and hold it in an awkward position in order to be able to write. I take xanax in a low dose to help control these problems, it helps but does not take it totally away. I have worked at the same hospital for years and have never had anything said to me about my voice, other than a few times people have asked me if I am nervous because my voice sounds nervous, but when I explain it, they are very understanding. I would not let this interfere with your career, especially if this is your dream. Good luck. |
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Posted by: regharvey ® 03/11/2010, 17:29:28 |
I'm an assistant principal and teacher responsible for 300 students daily - curriculum and discipline, as well as faculty, staff, parents, extracurriculars, parents' clubs, etc. My principal has been very supportive and my faculty very understanding. I was diagnosed one year ago and began receiving Botox injections at that point. It took 7 months to diagnosis. The Botox thus far has given me minimal relief and we are working on getting dosage correct and I have to work through breathing issues that I developed to compensate for the vocal spasms - even before I realized that something was wrong. I have a voice amplifier which makes communicating better - even through vocal spasms (ADDUCTOR). When I can't talk on the phone, the secretarial staff advises the caller that I can meet with them in person to discuss or they can email me and I'll answer through email. The parents have been very understanding and have accepted the situation. The students are the best - and when I have to speak in a whispery voice - they whisper back - it's priceless. I can also tell you that this situation has not only changed me, but changed those around me. We have all become more thankful for the gifts we all have and remind each other not to take what we have for granted. You CAN work through this and an employer should see that you have resilience and perseverance as well as patience - because SD requires one to have or develop these virtues. Good luck with your endeavors and keep your head high! |
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