Voice Therapy
Nine anxious Parkinson’s peeps, please take a seat
Theres Clive, Phil, Tony, four David's and a Pete
It’s a 5-week course designed to help you speak
The toilet is just outside if you need to take a leak
It’s about communication, which will help your soft dulcet tones
Read these pamphlet’s and please turn off your phones
Some of the work is individual and some will be in teams
We also have an interval, Tea, Coffee, and custard creams
You’re here unfortunately because you talk quietly or whisper
Slow down the delivery rate, your voice will be much crisper
Discuss the speech barriers and why were not heard
Parkinson’s is progressive & sometimes the voice is slurred
When we mumble, it’s because sometimes we talk too fast
This creates a barrier, then people can’t be arsed
Let’s start with these tongue twisters, try and give it your all
Peter piper picked a pickled pepper said the parkie poet paul
This exercises your vocal chords; it vibrates down your throat
Try to practice in pairs, we’re all in the same boat
Your larynx makes this noise and escapes via the lips
Take a long deep breath, helps delivery and the yips
Project your sound and really work that tongue
Increase the volume, see how far it’s flung
Practice these short sentences and increase the pitch
It’s great for confidence and the Anxiety you can ditch
Feel the vibration resonate across the top of your palate
There are other ways of course, but that involves a mallet
Any questions, it’s important they’re voiced
Oh, and hydrate, make sure your throat is nice and moist
Ok, Deep breath, head up, shoulders square, feet firmly on the floor
Your voice once soft, quiet & incoherent, now let’s hear it roar
Remember to crank up your voice, but no need to yell
If it starts to disappear again, that should ring a bell
A heartfelt thanks for giving us the choice
It’s been more than therapy; it’s given us a voice!
— Paul Dennison, Life in Rhyme V2
