Videotaping Reveals the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

If you've read one of my previous posts, you might assume that I am opposed to videotaping. On the contrary, under the right circumstances, I believe the benefits from videotaping can be positively exhilarating and downright motivating.

 

In coping with my Parkinson's body, I've taken yoga lessons from Paul and Carolyn Zeiger, for three years. I KNOW that I've made progress. I can do the downward dog and the bridge as well as the next gal. However when they showed me a video of me performing yoga poses a couple of weeks ago, there was no video of my starting point three years earlier to compare with the current video. I saw no progress. Absent any improvement, I was only able to see my body flaws and nitpicked and obsessed on them.

 

In coping with my Parkinson's voice, I've taken voice coaching from Mary Spremulli, creator of Voice Aerobics. She developed a method to help me quickly attain a stronger, better voice. Mary filmed me and gave me a copy of the videotape so that I could review it, and use it as inspiration for what is possible with my voice. You can view the video that was posted on You Tube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-HfkQK4dnY

 

The video is a segment from the first session of voice coaching. The goals of the session are to identify the "best voice" I am capable of; to set a target; and to use a sound level meter for ongoing monitoring while performing specific voice exercise and during conversation.

 

I don't care that the whole world can see my voice and speech flaws in the video as long as they can also see that there is hope for us to speak with strong voices with Parkinson's.

 

For more information on Mary’s innovative methods of voice treatment, check out her article at: http://voiceaerobicsdvd.blogspot.com/2010/05/voice-speedometer-broken.html

Comments

[Betsy Vierck Boyle]

Kate, You go girl! You’re a great advertisement for voiceaerobics. But most of all your gumption and lack of self-consciousness in sharing about your life with PD are truly remarkable. Because you share your efforts and knowledge so openly, all of us who know you and read your blog benefit tremendously just from being in proximity of you.

[Kate Kelsall]

Hi Betsy,

Thanks for your comments. It does take some courage to get out there and expose one's deficiencies to the world. However, it's something I MUST do so that others with PD also feel empowered to take charge of their own medical situations.

Thank YOU for being such a great role model to the newly diagnosed in this regsrd.

Kate Kelsall

[Betsy Vierck Boyle]

Kate, Info about programs like voice aerobics and tips from PWPs like you are so important for those of us who are recently diagnosed -- to help us delay or prevent symptoms and ;ive well with the diseasse!

[Diane Cook]

Kate, I applaud you for putting yourself out there. That is leadership with courage. It inspires others. It inspires me. What holds so many of us back is pride and vanity … not wanting to be revealed as less than we used to be (and want to be). You are strong enough to show your vulnerability and therein resides your power to inspire. Ironic, but true. However, you also need to know that you looked great and earnest and striving to get the most from your voice. Would that we all worked that hard to get the results we want.

[David Keating]

Hello,

My name is David Keating and I am a student at the University of Arizona. I am working with Dr. Steve Rains, who is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication. We are conducting a study about blogging and health and would greatly appreciate it if you would complete our survey. We found your blog by conducting a general search for blogs about health. We would like to know more about your experience blogging.

Our survey takes about 20 minutes to complete. To participate, you must be (a) 18 years of age or older and (b) have made a blog entry in the past 30 days.

If you meet these requirements and would like to participate, please click the link below. The study will be conducted online and the link will take you to the first webpage of the survey.

http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/283578/blogging

[Note: You may copy and paste the address directly into your web browser (i.e., Internet Explorer) to access the study.]

If you have any questions or concerns about the study, you may contact Dr. Rains at: srains@email.arizona.edu

Thanks for your consideration!

Best Regards,

David Keating
**************************
David Keating
Department of Communication
University of Arizona
**************************

[Kate Kelsall]

Hi David,

Thanks for making me aware of this interesting survey. I just completed it.

Kate Kelsall

[Ann]

Kate, I admire you so very much for posting the video that Mary Spremulli of Voice Aerobics made of you in your beginning session. Congratulations for putting yourself out there so that others may become informed about this aspect of PD. I can certainly see how programs such as this are needed. Being newly diagnosed (August 2009) I am becoming more and more aware of my voice 'issues' and am encouraged to know there are methods to help. Thank you for your wonderful, informative blog--I have learned so much from your postings. You are appreciated!
Ann