PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Salus University in Elkins Park has been given its third grant for a program that is giving people a chance to speak out.
With the funds, Salus’ Speech-Language Institute will continue to provide free group speech therapy to people with Parkinson’s disease through programs called SPEAK OUT! and The LOUD Crowd.
Parkinson’s makes it hard to walk and even talk as the illness worsens.
“Usually as their disease progresses, their voice becomes very soft and quiet,” said Eileen Hunsaker, assistant professor of speech and language pathology at Salus. “The SPEAK OUT! program helps them learn what to do to make their voice seem loud, clear and intelligible.”
Hunsaker said all too often, people don’t realize that there’s even an issue.
“There are many people out there who have Parkinson’s and don’t even realize that their voice is not as loud as it used to be,” she explained. “They may be asked to repeat themselves but they usually sometimes can blame it on the hearing of the listener.”
The one-on-one and group therapy sessions give participants the tools needed to be heard.
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Vannie Culmer of Philadelphia was diagnosed with Parkinson’s more than 15 years ago, and this program has kept her engaged.
“It helps one to be aware of the changes in your voice,” she said, and “what you need to do to keep it from deteriorating further.”
She also said the program has helped her keep in mind that she needs to focus on her speech and projection.
“When I feel myself going in or getting quiet or not speaking out, I think about it and I change the direction of my voice,” she added.
The program is free and funded by the Parkinson Voice Project. Learn more by calling 215-780-3150, emailing SLInsititute@salus.edu or visiting salus.edu/slp.