This campaign has now closed
The Gift of speech has 2 parts. 1 = establish an online speech therapy course. 2 = a voice banking service, recording the speech of those with ataxia to be used if they eventually need help communicating via synthesised speech. The campaign will also help ensure continued research into the ataxias.
Categories
Beneficiaries
Situation
Those living with progressive ataxias ranked speech and communication problems as one of the top three symptoms of ataxia which has a significant negative impact on their life. Ataxia can cause slurred speech making communication difficult. Loss of speech can precipitate loss of swallow, meaning people need to be fed by a tube. Speech therapy interventions can help to prevent this, but few are offered this in the NHS. Continued research into the ataxias for treatments and cures remains vital.
Solution
The success of a speech therapy trial conducted on people with hereditary ataxia demonstrated that therapy focusing on voice production can help improve people’s speech and confidence. Based on this we will establish a new online speech therapy course and peer support group. Secondly, we will make available voice banking technology to everyone with ataxia who needs it to record and preserve their speech. Lastly, research into treatment and cures will help realise a future free of ataxia.