Morphing from Non Verbal to Speech Impaired

Monday I shared a video clip of me giving a brief speech. Although the speech was brief, the journey getting there wasn't.

Growing up as non-verbal, at least to those didn't understand Glenda-ish, I avoided those synthesized voice boxes from many moons ago. Those early communication devices were difficult to understand; to my ear, they sounded worst than I did. And, I was afraid people would listen to those clumsy boxes rather than try to understand me. I preferred to do it myself; talking with people who understood Glenda-ish and remain (fairly) silent around those who didn't.

All through high school and university, it was accepted that I didn't give oral presentations. Alternative assignments were given. That was the way it was, and I acceded to it.

But that began changing a few years ago...

I was asked to give a short speech at an event on accessibility. After some hesitation and trepidation, I agreed. Using a free text-to-speech software program called ReadPlease installed on my laptop, I gave my first speech! The experience was exhilarating, freeing, and the technology worked flawlessly!

Since then, I have given a few speeches, each time tweaking the technology a bit. NeoSpeech's Kate is now my voice. It was love at first sound bite! She is amazingly clear for a synthesized voice. Nothing like those ancient voice boxes! And, I now create a PowerPoint slide with action buttons linked to the sound files, which I prepare ahead of time. For example, this was the slide for the Misbehaving Women event:

I had a button to test the volume prior to speaking, a button for a short speech, and one for a slightly longer speech. I didn't know which one I would click on until that moment. That is one drawback with this system. Because I write the speeches and convert to sound files ahead of time, it is difficult to know what will fit with the flow of the event. There is no opportunity to rewrite on the fly.

Another drawback is needing to have my laptop, speakers and power cord set up in order to speak. It still feels clumsy and time-consuming. But, that is the way it is, for the moment.

However, with the technology available today, finding a suitable solution is relatively easy part. The other part of verbal communication – the self-confidence, the timing, the nuances – also needs learning and practicing, which is difficult to gain at forty-something.

I have accepted that my head bobs for invisible apples in these moments. Some people turn red when they're nervous; my head bobs. That is part of life with cerebral palsy

The rest is an ongoing process, morphing from being non-verbal to having a speech impairment.