SPOHNC Support Group Presentation, GRATITUDE, and PYV!

Scottsdale SPOHNC Support Group Presentation: Optimizing VOICE Through Head/Neck cancer Treatment and Beyond...

Wow I am incredibly grateful and I feel so blessed to be able to have given a presentation last Thursday night at the Scottsdale SPOHNC support group. SPOHNC stands for Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer -- you can check out their website HERE. It brought back so many wonderful memories of when I used to be super involved with the head and neck cancer support group at the VA in Cincinnati…Fun fact: that was actually my senior thesis in graduate school (developing the head/neck cancer support group at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center). It was a "professional" project truly powered by PASSION and meant SO much to me. In addition to this, when I was there, I created our "speaker" program and traveled with several laryngectomy patients (and their spouses) to local schools to provide presentations to students about what a laryngectomy was and the importance of not smoking. I continued some of this work in Atlanta as well when I traveled with some laryngectomy patients to local EMT departments to educate first responders on the importance of providing life-saving support to laryngectomy patients via the neck, not the mouth. I absolutely LOVE to be involved with support groups, and am grateful of the TWO that I am now a part of since moving to Arizona.

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Although prioritizing your voice may look slightly different in patients who have had head/neck cancer with surgery and/or radiation and chemotherapy, it is a PRIORITY just the same. 

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I am so PASSIONATE about SUPPORT GROUPS and the benefits of being in them, especially those related to many areas of focus I come across daily within my line of work, especially VOICE, swallowing disorders, and head and neck cancer. The beauty in the room last night of community, love, compassion, real life experience, hope, and encouragement between (long-standing and newly diagnosed) members and medical professionals alike was incredibly moving and made me come alive inside and easily remember my “why”. I rarely ever lose sight of it because my heart guides my work always, but I am so GRATEFUL for those times I am reminded. I feel so blessed for tonight’s experience I acknowledge the privilege it is to work with courageous fighters like these as part of my work. I am looking forward to being involved with the group in the future. THANKFUL to Shay for the opportunity.

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Themes that popped up during the meeting aside from voice (and swallowing):

ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING.

YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

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#voxfit #voice #headandneckcancer #spohnc #supportgroup #encouragement #hope #prioritizeyourvoice #vocalfitness #occupationalvoiceuser #radiationtherapy #chemotherapy #keepswallowing #dysphonia #dysphagia #dyspnea #research #gratefulheart 

GRATITUDE

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!
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I am so GRATEFUL for the amazing opportunity I’ve been blessed with to positively impact others every day in all the “jobs” that I have— speech/voice pathologist, fitness instructor, and owner/creator VOXFIT®️. 
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I am very thankful for the opportunity to treat patients from a multidisciplinary and collaborative mindset and be able to collaborate with laryngologists and ENTs (and other colleagues as well) to progress towards the most optimal patient experience and outcomes.
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I am also thankful for the HEART, mind, eyes, ears, and VOICE to treat patients and clients like the WHOLE person and WHOLE voice that they are. 
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I am also incredibly grateful for all of YOU. This journey of creating a small business based on all of my true PASSIONS coming together has been nothing short of amazing and I can’t wait to continue to experience all the beautiful growth that is in store.
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Cheers and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! Today and everyday, make it your mission to uphold and ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE. 
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“Gratitude and attitude are not challenges; they are choices” (Robert Braathe).
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“It is not joy that makes us grateful; It is GRATITUDE that makes us JOYFUL” (David Steindl-rast). 
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“Living in a state of GRATITUDE is the gateway to GRACE” (Arianna Huffington).
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“Gratitude is the ability to experience life as a GIFT. It liberates us from the prison of self-preoccupation” (John Ortberg). 
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“I am happy because I am grateful. I CHOOSE to be grateful. That gratitude allows me to be happy” (Will Arnett).  
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I could name so many, but ten things I’m grateful for today:
Faith
Family
Health
Life
Work
Fitness/Movement 
Music
Spontaneity
Sunshine
Pets 

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How bout you?
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#voxfit #voice #prioritizeyourvoice #vocalfitness #occupationalvoiceuser #dysphonia #dysphagia #dyspnea #research #gratefulheart #happythanksgivng #gratefulforthegiftoflife #gratefulforvoice #attitudeofgratitude 

Anddd of course, always REMEMBER to PRIORITIZE YOUR VOICE!  

How are YOU prioritizing your voice today? And everyday? As an OCCUPATIONAL VOICE USER, it should be one of your top priorities! 
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What do you need to know to keep your voice healthy?  You should understand how the voice works, how to protect and care for your voice, and how to use your voice and entire vocal mechanism in the most efficient, effective, and dynamic ways possible.  
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I’m super PASSIONATE about this population of voice users (I’m one and most of you are too!), and am HERE TO HELP! Reach out with any questions, concerns, or if you’d like to work together. Email me at [email protected] 
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#voxfit #desiretoinspire #aspiretoinspire #changelives #radiateconfidence #vocalinstrument #voice #voicefitness #vocalfitness #voicesfittoinspire #vocalathlete #occupationalvoiceuser #speechpathology #voicespecialist #teacher #instructor #fitnessinstructor #singer #performer #emcee #gamehost #clergy #sales #coach #speechpathologist #voicetherapy #voicedisorders #prioritizeyourvoice