We are called Laryngectomee's.....surgical removal of the vocal cords. I also use the prosthetic speaking device (valve) which allows us to vocalize. This only one of the methods that is used and we are considered fortunate as many are unable to use it due to anatomy of the larynx and/or esphogus. Others may use an electronic device which is held to the throat and words are formed by the mouth.
I am one of the very few that have have survived this long....25yrs. The majority of my support group, lived just a few short years after surgery. Even with their limitations, we all chose to devote our time to speaking to school children beginning with 5th grade through highschool on the extrmeley dangerous elments contained within tobacco products. We even had one member, although not a smoker, became a laryngectomy thru the 2nd-hand smoke of her friends and family. I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to speak to groups for 12-years and we all felt that if each one of us was able to reach just 1-child, we accomplished something in our lives.
With the knowledge I learned about the tobacco industry, the list of carcinogenic chemicals used to addict the users and what these chemicals were actually used for in mining/industry/enbalming, etc., then to top it off for them actually seeing the hole in the neck, the disfigurement of the body totally amazed these kids and left them asking really intelligent questions. I recommend anyone interested in educating our youth or even adults to check into a Laryngectomy Support group within your area if they have speakers available. If not, ask if any of their members are open to speaking about their experiences of using tobacco (which includes chewing tobacco), what they learned about tobacco and how has it changed their lives. It does take courage to speak and try to educate others, but it also gives a face to the devastation tobacco creates.
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