Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) have released a special podcast, presented by RCSLT president, broadcaster and author Nick Hewer featuring two remarkable individuals Margaret Stoddart, a registered nurse, and Jono Organ, a charity CEO, sharing their experiences of living with voice difficulties.
This heart-warming, insightful, and, at times, amusing podcast interview explores several themes, including loss of identity and friendships, societal challenges, and how speech and language therapy can help people – not only to communicate with others, but also to create a sense of self-worth and build confidence in everyday life.
During the recording, Jono, who has stage four head and neck cancer, reflects on having his voice box removed (laryngectomy), being fitted with a speech valve, and having to relearn how to swallow and talk. Margaret, who works as a Cath Lab coordinator in the Cardiology Department of Blackpool Victoria Hospital, finds her voice condition upsetting to speak about. For the past eight years, she has had a voice disorder called Muscle Tension Dysphonia and Spasmodic Dysphonia, which leaves her throat feeling tight and sore to talk.
The interview can be accessed via RCSLT Podcasts or via your favourite podcast app, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and SoundCloud.
