The Ten Best Things about having SD

I'm working on a "top ten" list, but I only have six items so far. Can anyone suggest a few more?

The Ten Best Things about having SD:

#6: Free membership in the Mickey Mouse Club.

#5: You get credit for being a “really good listener”.

#4: The easy-to-pronounce items on a restaurant menu look so much more appetizing.

#3: You don’t have to talk to rude people on the phone since they will hang up on you first.

#2: It is easy to get a referral to a psychiatrist (whether you need it or not).

And the #1 best thing about having SD:
Every visit to a fast food drive-through is like Christmas: you never know what you will find when you open up your package.

When you are in the breathy/voiceless phase following botox, you often get told you would make a perfect wife!

Don't know if the word 'husband' could be added here - no doubt some of you guys will let us know!

I love a sense of humor and you're a kick!

Wish I'd gotten to know you better in Scottsdale but HEY..."time is short" at those things and I was glad to meet you briefly at the Friday welcome party. As we SD'ers know, it's difficult to really get to know powerful people in a large group. If we can't talk. Geez.

We kind of trashed ourselves on Friday, March 8th...because there was about 45 of us all screaming at the top of our lungs in order to meet each other (Lylia Bennett is my mentor on this subject because she reminded me that the *vocal-exhaustion* we had done on 3/8 might not have been good for our voices). Lylia was so right. You had your speech-enhancing device with you but I didn't get a chance to ask you about it. I sure hope it preserved your voice in the loud rooms. My voice was well-shot at the end of the symposium.

Keep up the great work. You represent SD'ers well and we'll meet again.

I'm still laughing..."Humor Counts!!" Was there 10? Not yet. Looks like 6 at this point...I would be glad to contribute to the 4 more. But, the humor always needs to be delivered with the respect that SD-patients deserve, in dealing with a life-affecting disorder.

1) Silence is Golden - Tremeloes

2) Sound of silence - Simon & Garfunkel

3) You don't talk anymore - Cliff Richard

4) Whispering Grass - Ink Spots

5) Silent Night - Carol

6) Never mind the "botox" - Sex Pistols

7) Needles & Pins - Searchers

8) He aint heavy he's my botox - The Hollies

9) Careless Whisper - George Micheal

10) Every breath you take - Police

Anymore - anyone

David Hedley

Some other advantages of voice disorders include:

1. You can keep a secret.

2. Never have to answer the phone.

3. Let someone else make your excuses.

4. Nobody will tell you to "shut up".

5. Our "Godfather" imitation ROCKS!

6. Nobody calls YOU a gossip!

A little sense of humor to help us get through the day! These advantages were provided to me as a gag gift during my recent St Patrick's Day, 40th birthday party. My voice was extremely sore speaking to 85 people during the 4-hour birthday party. I am glad I did not let a weak, soft, breathy, whispery voice get in the way to celebrate a birthday and LIFE.

Regretted missing your 40th-celebration but you know I wanted to be there to celebrate your milestone; but, as you know, I was somewhere between Palm Springs and Bakersfield, driving back in the rain/snow, when your big party started.

I'm so glad you made it to Scottsdale for the symposium but (isn't this humorous...dealing with humor!!?), my boyfriend who doesn't even have a vocal disorder was identified by several people down in Scottsdale as "the quietest guy there." Funny, huh? You know him so you know what I'm talking about.

That one can be added to the humor list.

Am I lucky or what??? A quiet guy who really appreciates me. I have an "un-quiet-personality" but I can't talk. He has a "quiet-personality" and could talk if he wanted to but doesn't. Interesting.

Happy 40th and it was great to see you down there. Darn...that I missed your party. Also, good to see you posting on the BB.

Keep Smiling

June: As a matter of fact, I have been asked to write up the top ten list for the NSDA Newsletter. If you all don't mind, I'll consolidate people's suggestions into one list and credit it to the BB.

No need to give your name on repeat phone calls, they know immediately when they hear the voice.

This is wonderful! I love people with a good sense of humor.

My suggestions are:

1. Love IS, never having to prove your still Sexy...

2. The ability to have phone sex without calling 900 numbers and blowing money your money.

3. A get rich Quick product, if only husbands could bottle up and sell it!

4. The ability to always whisper Sweet Nothing in husband's ear!

5. I wanta Talk about Me, can't remember artist.

6. Life is like a box of Chocolates

Thanks for the laughs.

3 other advantages:

1. Gives you a mysterious quality that people are always trying to figure out

2. People are always interested in your health ("Got a bit of a cold today?")

3. Gives you always 1 topic of conversation at the ready.