Be a voice for the voiceless.

Join the voice collective. Participate in LipTrain.

Apr 13, 2023

In 2020, I had set as a personal OKR to be a voice for the unspoken on stress and anxiety and break the stigma on mental wellbeing. Little did I imagine, I would get a true life changing opportunity in 2023 to build awareness and support folks who lose their voice with laryngectomy.

LiRA is on a mission to make communication possible with a lip reading assistant. This is a game changer when you have no voice - your voice box is removed after the surgery and options are minimal with boards and action mimes right after the surgery for a few weeks until a voice restoration is an option with TEP or electrolarynx.

The Beginning

I didn’t know much about laryngectomy or throat and neck cancer. But as a teacher and mentor, I knew the value of my voice. It’s my identity. I would be lost without my voice and feel helpless to get through my day to day. And even lose my job.

I started to learn about the domain and started with reading stories and conducting customer interviews - laryngectomy patients, care team from ENT to SLP, and family.

I started to connect with folks and joined communities to learn about their struggles and needs. To really get to know them. At first, I was afraid but I knew this is bigger than all of me and I would do anything to make a small difference. A butterfly effect.

The Voice Collective

And welcome the voice collective - an idea and inspiration to be a voice for the voiceless and share personal stories to build awareness on voicelessness.

Every year, one Million individuals become voiceless suddenly and unexpectedly. (Source: American Journal of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine)

Each story is one of courage, resilience and sheer willingness to make it work. I am grateful to be able to connect and learn from these kind souls who are making brave choices every day.

Hear James' story about his Dad's experience with total laryngectomy and voicelessness.

- How long has your Dad experienced voicelessness?
- What was your family’s experience?

Hear Marian share her experience with voicelessness and laryngectomy as an SLP (Speech Language Pathologist).

- From your experience with patients who have gone through total laryngectomy and voicelessness, what does Voice mean to you?

Read Rob's story about his experience with laryngectomy and voicelessness.

World Voice Day - April 16

And during my research, I came across April 16 as World Voice Day. April is Cancer Awareness Month and in particular "Head and Neck Cancer Awareness".

Let’s be a bridge with words.