Re: Guest speaker

[Guest guest]

I have to agree with Jane here..... I would find out if you are going

to be splinted/ wired for starters. The splint completely affected my

speech and ability to enunciate. I wasn't wired, only banded. The

numbness also affects your speaking in ways you can't anticipate

because you won't know beforehand if/where/to what extent you will be

numb. My lower lip was/is numb and affects my lips and how they form

words and sounds. I went back to work after 3 weeks I think. My job

involves constant interaction and speaking with people. The first

person I had to help was deaf. My boss thought I could help her

because I wouldn't need to speak to her anyway, right? It was a

pathetic mess. She had all kinds of questions that she asked as well

as she could. There she is trying to read my lips to understand what

I am saying in reply and my lips are NOT forming words. There was

nothing for her to read! The words just came out muffled and she

had no clue what I was saying!!! My co-workers apparently were amused

by the whole situation, one handicapped person trying to communicate

with another one (my inability to speak very well at that point felt

truly like a handicap). I would be very reticent to commit yourself

to the obligation. At two weeks I was getting out of bed and getting

out and about a little bit, BUT not at any pre-planned set times. It

was totally based on when I felt up to it on my body's schedule and

how it was feeling and when it was feeling pretty good. The day of

the speech may or may not fall on one of the good days. But if you're

already committed.....

Good luck!!! Katja

> >

> > May be A silly question, I need to ask you all that have been

through

> > this. I have been asked to be a guess speaker the date is 2 weeks

post

> > op. Will I be able to do this? Feel well enough? Be understood? I

have

> > been practicing talking with my teeth clenched.

> >

> > Any words of wisdom?

> >

> > Thanks

> > " M "