With SMA, My Voice Makes Me Feel Self-conscious
Does anybody actually like the sound of their own voice?
Unless you’re a gifted singer, that was a rhetorical question. I come from a musically inclined family, so they tend to say yes when I ask this question. But for me and many of those outside my family, the answer is a resounding no.
Our voices sound completely different in our heads from when we hear them played back to us — a phenomenon I don’t quite understand. I’ve never liked the sound of my voice, which is, in part, due to SMA. Because of my weakness and extremely low lung capacity, I sound like I’d fit right in with my 5-year-old nephew and his friends at recess.
Of course, I feel the need to preface this by stating that I am grateful to have the ability to speak. Over the past year, my voice has become even weaker. My friends can no longer hear me speak if there is music or TV playing in the background. When I’m tired, I have more difficulty enunciating my words and speaking articulately. I’m breathier. And on some days, I’m too tired to speak at all.
At times, it’s incredibly frustrating and upsetting to me. It’s also a reminder that I’m still able to use my words through my voice, and I should. The world needs my witty banter and charm. With SMA, I could lose my voice at any moment.
However, the gratitude I have doesn’t negate that I’m not a fan of the sound of my voice. It makes me anxious. I feel as though it depicts me as this fragile little girl rather than the fierce, strong woman I am.
This could all be my insecurities speaking, but it makes no difference to me. The childish tone of my voice makes me self-conscious. I fear I’m taken less seriously because of it.
I just signed off a call with a huge retailer for my other job, and I cringed when my voice squeaked as I introduced myself. These people didn’t know anything about me. They didn’t know where I came from or how much of a hard worker I am. They just saw a smaller woman with a nasal feeding tube and a squeaky voice lying down, and had to go forward based on these first impressions.
The same goes for anyone I’ve spoken to, ever — whether over phone or video call. While I can’t tell what other people are thinking, I do know that ableism exists. I know from past experiences that some view disabled people as less than others. It’s an unfortunate stigma I’ve dealt with all my life, but it’s shown me I have to prove myself sometimes.
With my voice, I feel as though my inner critic is telling me to keep quiet, to do the silent work and prove myself through my actions. But sensible friends and family in my life tell me otherwise.
I understand that not many people love the sound of their voice. I certainly fit into that group. But I wish I didn’t get so caught up in it. My childlike voice and my bull of a personality aren’t the same. And the people who take the time to recognize that are the ones worth getting the chance to know me.
Note: SMA News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of SMA News Today or its parent company, BioNews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to spinal muscular atrophy.
The post With SMA, My Voice Makes Me Feel Self-conscious appeared first on SMA News Today.
