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June 2016

www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Speak Out

49

Public Ambassador Melinda Schneider with Nordoff Robbins KeyWord

Sign Choir.

New south wales

NSW 1964

Members

as at April 2016

The Australian Dysphonia

Network Inc, was formally

established in January 2016 and aims to support and advocate

for people whose lives are impacted by a voice disorder. Difficult

to diagnose, difficult to understand, and often difficult to manage,

dysphonia can affect all aspects of a person’s life including their

general health and wellbeing. Yet, until now there has been

little local support, opportunity to share experiences, or general

awareness of voice disorders.

The ADN was founded by Louise Bale who has been living with

mixed spasmodic dysphonia for the past 11 years. Louise felt the

need to give voice to those living with all forms of chronic voice

disorders, recognising that regardless of the diagnosis, the impact

of life with dysphonia was just as challenging. In October 2015,

she hosted ‘Dysphonia - Let’s talk about it’, an independent, one-

day conference in Sydney for people living with a voice disorder,

their partners, friends, and voice health professionals. At this

event, the plan for an Australian network run by, and for people

with voice disorders was born.

Each current member of the ADN committee lives with some form

of dysphonia. This ensures a deep understanding of the impact

it can have on everyday functioning, relationships, careers and

social participation.

Although newly established, the ADN has very clear aims for

the future, including (a) providing support for people affected by

a voice disorder, their families and friends, (b) increasing public

awareness of dysphonia and voice care, (c) raising awareness

and educating GPs and other health practitioners to aid in early

diagnosis and better management, and (d) funding research into

the causes, management and psycho-social impact of voice

disorders. The ADN is also keen to advocate for environmental

considerations, (for example the impact of noisy public places), as

well as the needs of voice disordered people in the workplace.

World Voice Day, held globally on 16 April provided the perfect

backdrop against which to launch the ADN and to open up

discussion about dysphonia. This was made possible with Public

Ambassadors Ms Paula Duncan, Actor/Disabilities Advocate,

and Country Singer/Songwriter Melinda Schneider agreeing to

represent ADN, to highlight that voice and being heard is a basic

need for all of us.

To celebrate the magic of the human voice and further spread the

word on dysphonia, the ADN partnered with the Australian Voice

Association and the World Voice Day Australia working group to

host two vocal variety concerts in Sydney. ‘Voices-in-the-Valley’ at

Penrith Panthers, and ‘Sing it Sydney’ at Paddington Town Hall,

each provided hours of entertainment as well as an opportunity to

highlight the importance of voice to everyone. Each concert was

inclusive of marginalised groups, community choirs, and children

who all shared the stage with a great line up of professional artists,

highlighting the joy that having a voice and being heard brings, no

matter who you are.

More information about ADN Inc can be found at www.

australiandysphonianetwork.org

and on the ADN’s facebook page.

Louise Bale (President) and Ellie Marrone (Secretary)

Dysphonia - Let’s Talk about it, with

the Australian Dysphonia Network Inc

Sheridan Gaudry with Riverlands Harmony Chorus.