the ial news · tomees (ial) board of direc-tors. she is to serve a two-year term. for the past 17...

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The IAL News The International Association of Laryngectomees Vol. 64 No. 1 February 2018

Dr. Caryn F. Melvin has been elected Director of the Voice Institute (VI) by the Interna-tional Association of Laryngec-tomees (IAL) Board of Direc-tors. She is to serve a two-year term. For the past 17 years she has served on the VI Faculty. Her first IAL/VI meet-ing was in Myrtle Beach, SC in 2001, and she knew, without a doubt, that she wanted to be a part of the IAL. In addition to the IAL Dr. Melvin has been an invited speaker at several state meetings including the Florida laryngectomy Association, The Texas Laryngectomy Associa-tion and the California Laryn-gectomee Conference.

Dr. Melvin has worked in the area of voice restoration for the total laryngectomy for 29 years and is currently in clinical practice at a medical center in Northampton, Massachusetts. She received her graduate degrees from the University of South Carolina, (USC) in Columbia, South Carolina where she lived for 30 years before re-locating to Massachusetts 4 years ago. She continues to serve as Clinical Adjunct Facul-ty at USC teaching students in the Distance Education Master of Speech Pathology gradu-ate program. She has been on faculty for over 20 years. She is very excited to be de-veloping a course in laryngectomy that will be added to the curriculum in spring of 2019.

Dr. Melvin has been married to her wonderful husband Peter for four years. Between them they have 6 children ranging in age from 17-24; Maxfield, Harrison, Samuel, Clara Grace, Erickson and Cameron. When she is not busy with work and family she enjoys playing her flute and ukulele, playing with her two beloved pups Mr. Widget and Ms. Lilly as well camping, kayaking, and hiking in the Berkshires.

“I am honored to have been asked to serve as Voice Institute Director. I am eager and very excited about our upcoming meeting in Orlando, FL. I welcome all suggestions to help make this meeting the best! The VI is about training SLPs, students and allied health professionals but ultimately it is about persons with a laryngectomy. Suggestions and questions can be sent to our new VI e-mail address, [email protected]. Or you can comment or send a message on our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/IALvoiceinstitute/. I’m looking forward to seeing every-one at the Orlando meeting! “ Table of

Contents Page 3

Voice Institute Director: Caryn Melvin PhD

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IAL Board Of Directors President Tom Cleveland [email protected]

[email protected] Secretary, Barbara Nitschneider [email protected] Kyd Dietrich [email protected] Dan Konz [email protected] Candy Moltz SLP [email protected] Dr. Brian Mitchell, DO [email protected]

IAL Staff

Susan Reeves SLP Administrative Manager [email protected] Website: www.theial.com Email: [email protected] Mailing Address The IAL 925B Peachtree Street NE Suite 316 Atlanta, Georgia 30309

The IAL News is published four times a year by the International Association of Laryngectomees. Information provided by the IAL News is not intended as a substitute for pro-fessional medical help or advice, rather as an aid in understanding problems experienced by laryngectomees and the state of current medical knowledge.

A physician or other qualified healthcare provider should always be consulted for any health problem or medical condition.

The IAL does not endorse any treat-ment or product that may be men-tioned in this publication. Please con-sult your physician and/or speech-language pathologist (SLP) before us-ing any treatment or product.

The opinions expressed in the IAL News are those of the authors and may not represent the policies of the Interna-tional Association of Laryngectomees.

About The IAL News

IAL Items Available - IAL Brochures - IAL News order/change of address cards - Orange Emergency Cards (English) - Orange Emergency Window Stickers (English)

_“Laryngectomees Loving Life” DVD (35 mins) ($10 donation requested) (May also be watched on website) - “First Steps” Available to download from the IAL website Order From: IAL in Atlanta /email

Our Valued Advertisers InHealth……………….....Page 16

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Griffin……….………….Page 2,11

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Atos...……….….............Pages 15

Contents Caryn Melvin, VI director P. 1 Support Groups (Burfitt) P.4 Laryngecomee Guide P. 5 Orlando Registration P. 6

Orlando Hotel Info P. 7

Prevention of Thrush

(Brook) P. 8

A Club’s Mission

(LaBorwit) P.10

Board of Directors P. 12

Donation Forms P.12

Helpful Hints P. 13

Table of Contents

Have a good idea or

a helpful hint?

We thank all our vendors for their support. Please con-tact them with your ques-tions/comments and ask if they have any special offers for IAL members. Order from them whenever you have a need.

We welcome laryngectomees and caregivers to submit ideas that would be helpful for other laryngectomees.

4

tell the emotion. The same sentence spoken may have an entirely different meaning than what the written word might convey. There is nothing better than actually meeting someone who is thriving and living the “normal” life!

In this day of instant everything, social media groups seem to be the answer for many. There are times when I would agree it is a great way to get an answer when someone is scared and is just learning to deal with being a laryngec-tomee. This is especially true if the individual lives a distance from the medical facility.

I truly feel the best overall information is at WebWhispers. I still always tell a new laryngec-tomee to join. If unable to go to a support group, I also suggest going to an IAL annual conference and attend the Voice Institute. This is one way of meeting other laryngectomees and learning everything there is to know about laryngectomy, especially if you are going to support others. Having the proper information to pass on is so important.

Having said that, I think support in person is still the best! Actually, seeing a person, how they communicate, whether tablet, electrolar-ynx, esophageal speech or TEP, with all their natural emotions, is best done face to face.

Does it make sense, that here we are a group of people who have lost our voice, and want to converse, end up doing the opposite … writing everything?

Not long ago I noticed that WebWhispers was sending fewer emails. Not only was WebWhispers becoming quiet but I noticed the actual number of people who actually went to support groups were falling. One of the reasons this must be happening is that more people are using social media. So, I decided to bite the bullet and join Facebook. This is something I was trying to avoid for multiple reasons, but I wanted to continue to support laryngectomees.

Years ago when I was going through multiple sur-geries and radiation, there was little or no sup-port on the Internet. Thankfully, Dutch started WebWhispers. Back then it was similar to the Facebook group because there was always some-one online that could answer a question. We would email with solutions to problems or make suggestions on how to do something. I think one of the major differences was we never gave med-ical advice, that I see on some Facebook sites. We would always tell someone with a medical problem to contact their medical team, be it the doctor or the speech pathologist. If memory serves me, I think the only medicine that was ev-er suggested was Guaifenesin. When it was, we always said check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure it did not cause any problems with other medications that might be taken. Later when more and more people had problems with their prosthesis, Nystatin was suggested as well as probiotics. In time, WebWhispers became the site that it is today, the Go-To site for anything that has to do with laryngectomy,

So, what happened to the support groups? I think there are multiple reasons that people are not going to support groups. One reason is that distance is a problem. When someone lives hours away from the support group it’s difficult to get to a meeting. Another reason is that there aren’t many of us. Especially now when many are being treated with chemo and radiation therapy, not surgery (that’s another discussion). So, being able to get support by social media, why bother? I actually feel that a support group in person is the best form of support. Sometimes it is hard to understand the written word. In person, you can

Support Groups, Internet Groups, Social Media By Rita Burfitt

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IAL 67TH ANNUAL

VOICE MEETING

JUNE 6-9, 2018

ORLANDO, FLORIDA

Planning Ahead

Would your club be in-terested in hosting the IAL Annual Meeting during the summers of 2019 or 2020? Please submit your applica-tion to the IAL Board of Directors! The IAL has been east more than west in the last few years. Can YOUR club help bring the IAL to your neck of the woods? There are complete directions on the IAL website at www.theial.com. Thank you.

Laryngectomy Guide Now Translated into Italian and Chinese

I am happy to inform you that "The Laryngectomee Guide” is available now in Italian in both paperback and eBook forms. The translation was done by Drs Luca D'Ascino and Michael Ori. The guide is available (FREE) to all laryngectomees.

The guide is also available in, English, Russian, Chinese and Turkish and is in the process of being translated to other lan-guages including: Japanese, Hebrew, Polish, and Bulgarian. (I am still looking for a Spanish translator)

The link to obtain the Italian language Guide (FREE) is https://goo.gl/oiEXiC .

The Spanish cancer society recently took upon themselves the translation of the Laryngectomee Guide to Spanish. I am very excited about this as this would make it available for Spanish speaking laryngectomees and SLPs not only in Spain but also in the USA and central and South America.

Regards,

Itzhak Brook MD,MSc [email protected]

Make plans now to attend the IAL meeting in Orlando, Florida. The Holi-day Inn Buena Vista is a beautiful hotel nestled in the middle of the Dis-ney World Theme Parks along with Sea World, Universal, Lego Imagina-tion Center, several excellent art museums with free admission, a variety of free gardens and nature parks, and Florida’s own Winerys and Brewer-ies. There is something for everyone of all ages. Combine the IAL Annu-al Meeting with your vacation and enjoy everything Orlando and Florida have to offer. Let’s look forward to reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones and combine with helping our laryngectomee family.

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Annual Meeting and Voice Institute Orlando, FL

June 6-9, 2018

The recommended method for REGISTRATION and payment is online at: http://www.theial.com Mail in registrations: Please use this form

Registration Fees:

Laryngectomees / Caregivers / Family $120.00 by May 11 ($150.00 af-ter May 11)

Speech-Language Pathologists $400.00 by May 11 ($450.00 af-ter May 11)

$200.00

Laryngec-tomee? Yes No

Second Attendee (please print) Laryngectomee? Yes No

Attending Voice Institute? Yes No

City State / Province Zip Country

Phone Number Email ___________________________

Check here if you require assistance, have dietary restrictions, or need special accommodations to attend the meeting because of physical limitations. You will be contacted for other information.

Mail in registration forms must have check or money order payable in U.S. dollars to: The International Association of Laryngectomees (IAL)

Fill out for Credit Card:

Please check one:

Address if different than address listed above Zip Card Number Expiration date (month/year)

Card security code Total amount approved for charge $

Mail to:

925B Peachtree Street NE Suite 316 Atlanta, Georgia 30309

7

The 2018 IAL Voice Institute and Annual Meeting this coming June 6-9, in Orlan-do, Florida, promises to be one of the best ever: superb club support, exception-al teamwork with clubs/medical community, so many attractions within a few miles of hotel, etc. More info below. Hope to see you all there!

The hotel where the conference will be held is at the Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Lake Buena Vista through June 6-9. 13351 Florida 535 Orlando, Florida 32821 United States (407) 239-4500

Call the reservation system at 800-972-2590 and ask for the IAL Annual Confer-ence group block. Reservations must be made by May 7th, 2018 to guarantee group rate of $99.00. Book your group rate for IAL Annual Conference now!

The airport closest to the conference would be Orlando International Airport, located approximately 12 miles from the hotel. A few attractions close to the conference: Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando, the Disney Springs area, and the Orlando Premium Outlets and Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores all located just 1 mile from the resort!

Note: the hotel provides a free shuttle service to all Disney theme parks!

8

Prevention of Oral Thrush

By Itzhak Brook MD

O

Thrush can occur as a result of radiation treatment, chemotherapy, high carbohydrate intake, antibiotic or steroid treatment, and poor oral hygiene. Oral thrush (also called oral candidiasis) is caused by the fungus Candida albicans. Candida is a normal inhabitant of the mouth that can overgrow and cause clinical symptoms such as thrush. Oral thrush causes creamy white lesions, usually on the tongue or inner cheeks. Sometimes oral thrush may spread to the roof of the mouth, gums, tonsils, and the back of the throat. Undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment, and having conditions that lead to a dry mouth predisposes to thrush.

One’s physician may recommend antifungal medication(s). These come in several forms, including lozenges, tablets, or a liquid that one can swish in their mouth and then swallow.

There are several methods that help prevent yeast growth in the mouth:

Reduce the consumption of sugars in food and drinks, brush your teeth well after consuming sugary food and/or drinks.

Brush your teeth well after every meal and especially before going to sleep.

Diabetics should maintain adequate blood sugar levels.

Take antibiotics or corticosteroids only if they are needed

If one uses an oral suspension of an antifungal agent,, one should wait for 30 minutes to let it work and then brush your teeth. This is because some of these suspensions contain sugar.

Consume probiotics by eating active-culture yogurt and/or a probiotic prep-aration.

Gently brush the tongue if it is coated with yeast (white plaques). Brushing should be avoided in those who have irradiation mucositis

Replace the toothbrush after overcoming a yeast problem to prevent re-colonization with yeasts.

Itzhak Brook MD is a professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at Georgetown Universi-ty School of Medicine. He is a laryngectomee and the author of “My Voice, a Physi-cian’s Personal Experience with throat cancer” and “The laryngectomee Guide”.

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A Club’s Mission by Louis J. LaBorwit, PhD

Just what is the justification, the pur-pose, the raison d’etre of a club whose unique requirement is that its members must have had a major surgical proce-dure on the neck? We all know about the obvious rehabilitation issues of each member. But if this is the only reason (however important), then the club in a sense, becomes inbred despite the requi-site and commendable goals of speech reinstatement and overall post-laryngectomy management. Clearly, a club, like any other organi-zation, must have a mission, a goal, a sense of ongoing purpose, which extends beyond the regular meetings. The allu-sion is certain. If one’s life has been spared---as it most certainly has---by this surgery. Then it behooves each of us to consider how we can benefit others so that the hard-won knowledge gained in the crucible of the surgical experience and the rehabilitation enterprise does not stop at the therapy door.

Thus, activities which represent the club, such as school presentations, anti-smoking campaigns, American Cancer Society volunteer activities, running for club office, visiting new patients as a representative of the club, attending lo-cal, regional, and national laryngec-tomee organization meetings, are im-portant. These are some of the activities which, if undertaken, will let you know that your grand, surgical “requirement” was not in vain. The payoff is self-satisfaction, public education, public awareness, and not a little disease pre-vention. You are singularly qualified and needed more than you ever imag-ined. Dr.LaBorwit is a speech pathologist, advi-sor to the Laryngectomee Club of Montgom-ery County, Silver Spring, MD from 1996 and was a regular contributor to their news-letter, “The Voice,” the source of this abridged article. It was first published in the IAL Newsletter in May 1996 and still holds truth today.

16

Use the forms below to make a voluntary tax deductible donation; or subscribe, change your address, or

remove a name from the mailing list.

To: IAL 925B Peachtree Street NE Suite 316 Atlanta, GA 30309-3918 Enclosed is my tax-deductible gift of $10 or more, with my check or money order made out to IAL. Name_______________________ Address_____________________ City,State,Country_____________ Zip/Postal Code_______________ E-mail Address________________

To: IAL 925B Peachtree Street NE Suite 316 Atlanta, GA 30309-3918 __Please add my name to the mailing list.

___Please remove my name from the list.

___Please change my address as indicated be-low.

am a ___ Laryngectomee ___SLP __Doctor ___Nurse ___Caretaker ___Other

Name___________________________ Address_________________________ City, State, Country________________ E-mail Address (for receipt)__________ This information can also be submitted via E-mail addressed to: [email protected] Please send ____(number) of postcards for oth-ers to use so club members can subscribe or change News mailing address.

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10

A Club’s Mission by Louis J. LaBorwit, PhD

Just what is the justification, the pur-pose, the raison d’etre of a club whose unique requirement is that its members must have had a major surgical proce-dure on the neck? We all know about the obvious rehabilitation issues of each member. But if this is the only reason (however important), then the club in a sense, becomes inbred despite the requi-site and commendable goals of speech reinstatement and overall post-laryngectomy management. Clearly, a club, like any other organi-zation, must have a mission, a goal, a sense of ongoing purpose, which extends beyond the regular meetings. The allu-sion is certain. If one’s life has been spared---as it most certainly has---by this surgery. Then it behooves each of us to consider how we can benefit others so that the hard-won knowledge gained in the crucible of the surgical experience and the rehabilitation enterprise does not stop at the therapy door.

Thus, activities which represent the club, such as school presentations, anti-smoking campaigns, American Cancer Society volunteer activities, running for club office, visiting new patients as a representative of the club, attending lo-cal, regional, and national laryngec-tomee organization meetings, are im-portant. These are some of the activities which, if undertaken, will let you know that your grand, surgical “requirement” was not in vain. The payoff is self-satisfaction, public education, public awareness, and not a little disease pre-vention. You are singularly qualified and needed more than you ever imag-ined. Dr.LaBorwit is a speech pathologist, advi-sor to the Laryngectomee Club of Montgom-ery County, Silver Spring, MD from 1996 and was a regular contributor to their news-letter, “The Voice,” the source of this abridged article. It was first published in the IAL Newsletter in May 1996 and still holds truth today.

11

9

The 2017 Delegates added Two New IAL Board Members

President: Tom Cleveland VP/Treasurer: Helen Grathwohl Secty: Barb Nitschneider Admin Manager: Susan Reeves

New: Dan Konz New: Kyd Dietrich (see below) Candy Moltz, MS, CCC-SLP Brian Mitchell, D.O.

Getting Back On The Job By Kyd Dietrich

I was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer in August, 2012. As anyone that’s traveled that journey knows, you never forget the moment you’re given the hor-rific news and what will need to be done for you to have a chance at survival.

When I met with the multidisciplinary clinic, the lead physician said “we recommend that you have a total laryngectomy, followed with radiation therapy. We don’t think you’re a chemotherapy candidate.” Immediately dozens of thoughts began running through my mind. But there was one that was foremost and when the doctor asked, “Do you have any questions?” I said, “Yes, will this be career ending?” The doctor asked what it was I did and I explained to him that I was the Fire Chief in Hagerstown, Maryland. He said, yes, it would most likely be the end of my fire service career. That was devastating news for someone like me who loved what they did.

The next day I met with our City Administrator and Human Resources Man-ager and explained to them what was going to happen. I explained the different speech options that may be available after my surgery and the timeline of the up-coming procedures. At that point I asked our City Administrator if he wanted me to go ahead and file for retirement. It was at that moment that he did one of the most caring and compassionate things that anyone had ever done for me. He thought carefully for a few seconds and said, “No. Let’s see how things go, and if

Continued on page 11

9

The 2017 Delegates added Two New IAL Board Members


New: Dan Konz New: Kyd Dietrich (see below) Candy Moltz, MS, CCC-SLP Brian Mitchell, D.O.

Getting Back On The Job By Kyd Dietrich

I was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer in August, 2012. As anyone that’s traveled that journey knows, you never forget the moment you’re given the hor-rific news and what will need to be done for you to have a chance at survival.

When I met with the multidisciplinary clinic, the lead physician said “we recommend that you have a total laryngectomy, followed with radiation therapy. We don’t think you’re a chemotherapy candidate.” Immediately dozens of thoughts began running through my mind. But there was one that was foremost and when the doctor asked, “Do you have any questions?” I said, “Yes, will this be career ending?” The doctor asked what it was I did and I explained to him that I was the Fire Chief in Hagerstown, Maryland. He said, yes, it would most likely be the end of my fire service career. That was devastating news for someone like me who loved what they did.

The next day I met with our City Administrator and Human Resources Man-ager and explained to them what was going to happen. I explained the different speech options that may be available after my surgery and the timeline of the up-coming procedures. At that point I asked our City Administrator if he wanted me to go ahead and file for retirement. It was at that moment that he did one of the most caring and compassionate things that anyone had ever done for me. He thought carefully for a few seconds and said, “No. Let’s see how things go, and if

Continued on page 11

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The 2017-2018 IAL Board Members


Dan Konz Kyd Dietrich Candy Moltz, MS, CCC-SLP Brian Mitchell, D.O.

To: IAL 925B Peachtree Street NE Suite 316 Atlanta, GA 30309-3918 Enclosed is my tax-deductible gift of $10 or more, with my check or money order made out to IAL. Name_______________________ Address_____________________ City,State,Country_____________ Zip/Postal Code_______________ E-mail Address________________

To: IAL 925B Peachtree Street NE Suite 316 Atlanta, GA 30309-3918 __Please add my name to the mailing list.

___Please remove my name from the list.

___Please change my address as indicated be-low.

am a ___ Laryngectomee ___SLP __Doctor ___Nurse ___Caretaker ___Other

Name___________________________ Address_________________________ City, State, Country________________ E-mail Address (for receipt)__________ This information can also be submitted via E-mail addressed to: [email protected] Please send ____(number) of postcards for oth-ers to use so club members can subscribe or change News mailing address.

Use the forms below to make a voluntary tax deductible

donation; or subscribe, change your address, or remove a name from the mailing list.

13

Attention SLPs

If you are listed in the IAL Directory of Alaryngeal Speech Instructors please check to make sure your information is current. If you wish to be included in this resource, please notify the IAL of your interest to serve as a resource using the same email. Report any problems or interest to: [email protected]

Helpful Hints

Trouble with pills: Dave Ross offered a solution if your small pills get stuck in your throat. Simply load the pills into an empty gel cap, availa-ble in various sizes from your local pharmacy. They ease the passage of the pill into your stomach.

Rita Burfitt learned that mashing up a banana and eating it while drink-ing water will slide around what is stuck in your throat and act like a lub-ricant and facilitate its downward progress.

Brenda Hupp suggests bringing your lary tube or button to a dental ap-pointment or any medical procedure in which you have to lie down. It will help you breathe more comfortably.

Depression is real. It can be as a direct result of a reaction to the cancer diagnosis, the surgery, limitations to your usual activity level, low thy-roid secondary to the laryngectomy surgery or radiation therapy. If you suspect you have depression, the good news? It is treatable with medi-cations, counseling, or a combination of both. See your family physician, psychiatrist or psychologist for diagnosis, referral, and/or treatment.

These points were first seen in the September 2004 issue of the News.

Spare AL? Please consider donating your spare AL to the IAL using the information on page 12. The IAL will make it available to a needy laryngectomee. Thanks!!

IAL Seeks Volunteers

The IAL Board of Directors has a long history of dedicated individuals working for the mission of the organization, “the total rehabilitation of the laryngectomee.” The number of board mem-bers has varied through the years from as many as 18 to as few as 7. The officers of the board are required to be a laryngectomee. Two of the group of board members are reserved for non-laryngectomees and usually include an SLP and a doctor (who may prefer to be the medi-cal director and not officially on the BOD) or a spouse caretaker, or other interested individual. Skills in bookkeeping/financial/accounting back-grounds would be helpful. Every other talent is needed as well, including photography, all tech-nology and writing. Answer the call and step up to volunteer. Apply according to the instruc-tions on the website at : www.theial.com

14

Esophagripes With loud and long esophagusts, I rail against the people who Shout at me till my ear drum busts, As many of them often do. It looks like they all seem to think That just because my voice is low, My hearing , too, is on the blink; But, be fair, how should they know? Then there are those who move their lips Just forming words but make no sound- Oh, yes, we meet all kings of pips; There are all kinds of them around. Now here’s the newest gripe I’ve heard, Made by a laryngectomee Who’s new, can’t use the spoken word, But writes so all can plainly see. “With all control at my command I keep my temper rancor free. They snatch the slate out of my hand And then they write right back at me!”

Esophagripes is by Max Fried who sub-mitted his poem for the 1956 October is-sue of the IAL News. How things change and how things stay the same!

Question? What do the initials “CCC” stand for after the name of a speech language pathologist ?

Answer It is the American Speech Lan-guage and Hearing Association (ASHA) “Certificate of Clinical Competence.” It certifies that the individual has completed the ap-proved coursework, designated hours of supervised practicum and passed a national board ex-amination. It is certification be-yond obtaining a Master’s degree.

14

Esophagripes With loud and long esophagusts, I rail against the people who Shout at me till my ear drum busts, As many of them often do. It looks like they all seem to think That just because my voice is low, My hearing , too, is on the blink; But, be fair, how should they know? Then there are those who move their lips Just forming words but make no sound- Oh, yes, we meet all kings of pips; There are all kinds of them around. Now here’s the newest gripe I’ve heard, Made by a laryngectomee Who’s new, can’t use the spoken word, But writes so all can plainly see. “With all control at my command I keep my temper rancor free. They snatch the slate out of my hand And then they write right back at me!”

Esophagripes is by Max Fried who sub-mitted his poem for the 1956 October is-sue of the IAL News. How things change and how things stay the same!

Question? What do the initials “CCC” stand for after the name of a speech language pathologist ?

Answer It is the American Speech Lan-guage and Hearing Association (ASHA) “Certificate of Clinical Competence.” It certifies that the individual has completed the ap-proved coursework, designated hours of supervised practicum and passed a national board ex-amination. It is certification be-yond obtaining a Master’s degree.

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From the New Voice Institute Director

I am very honored to have been asked to serve as Voice In-stitute Director. I am eager and very excited about our upcom-ing meeting in Orlando, FL. I welcome all suggestions to help make this meeting the best! The VI is about training SLPs and others but ultimately it is about you! Suggestions and questions can be sent to our new VI e-mail ad-dress, [email protected] . We now have a Facebook page!! The International Associa-tion of Laryngectomees Voice Institute. Check it out and ‘like’ and ‘share!’ Come back frequently as we will be posting often throughout the coming months leading up to the meeting in Or-lando. The page will have information about facul-ty, the agenda and some fun facts and history about the IAL and VI that maybe you didn’t know!I’m looking eagerly forward to the Orlando meet-ing. Sincerely,

12

From the New Voice Institute Director

I am very honored to have been asked to serve as Voice In-stitute Director. I am eager and very excited about our upcom-ing meeting in Orlando, FL. I welcome all suggestions to help make this meeting the best! The VI is about training SLPs and others but ultimately it is about you! Suggestions and questions can be sent to our new VI e-mail ad-dress, [email protected] .

We now have a Facebook page!! The International Associa-tion of Laryngectomies Voice Institute. Check it out and ‘like’ and ‘share!’ Come back frequently as we will be posting often throughout the coming months leading up to the meeting in Or-lando. The page will have information about faculty, the agenda and some fun facts and history about the IAL and VI that maybe you didn’t know!

I’m looking eagerly forward to the Orlando meeting. Sincerely,

Caryn Melvin, PhD, CCC-SLP

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