Baldev Manhas banked her voice with Speak Unique after successfully applying for PSPA funding for voice repair service. Here Baldev shares her experience of banking her voice.
“I first found out about PSPA funding for Voice Banking when my speech therapist, Anna Fisher, mentioned it to me during my penultimate session with her. I had not heard of voice banking before my speech therapist mentioned it. Since my consultant had told me that my condition was going to worsen with time, I thought it was a good suggestion.
My speech therapist gave me further contact information at my last session. My son then helped me to apply for the funding, but we found the process was very straight forward.
After being approved for the funding and referred onto Speak Unique, I banked my voice during three sessions, over the course of a few days. It took about five hours in total, I think. I chose the voice repair service. I used the phrases which were already on Speak Unique’s website. I think the number of phrases I used was between 300 and 500.
The process of recording my voice, was quite straight forward. Once my son showed me how to do it, I was able to do it myself.
After submitting my voice recordings, I received the banked voice from Speak Unique. It obviously doesn’t sound exactly like mine but it’s OK. I am pleased with the result and I am glad that I recorded my voice before my condition worsened.
I have now started to use my banked voice, using the Speak Unique app. My son downloaded it for me and set up the app on my mobile phone. I have been playing with it from time to time.
At the moment, I am able to communicate with people who know me, without the app, but it is reassuring to know it is there, when I do need it. It gives me the confidence that I will not totally be without a voice.
