The recipient this year is Rose Farmer who leads the Austin, TX Dysphonia Support Group

For her dedication in support group leadership and outreach for Dysphonia International.

Since 1999 Dysphonia International takes great pleasure in bestowing the Midge Kovacs Annual Awareness Award. Midge started one of the first SD support groups. She wrote a newsletter to share information about SD as well as experiences of people living with SD. She encouraged all of us with SD to think beyond our individual voice problems. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” (Margaret Mead)

In presenting the Midge Kovacs Annual Awareness Award, we honor the outstanding work of a Dysphonia Support Group. This presentation marks our 27th consecutive presentation. For her work for many years, this award is given to Rose Farmer and the Austin Dysphonia Support Group. Truly, this dynamic leader follows in the footsteps of the late pioneering SD advocate, Midge Kovacs.

Rose started noticing voice changes in the mid-1990s. She was having trouble saying certain vowel sounds. Rose has been receiving successful Botox® injections since the 1990s. She shared: “I remember the feeling of isolation that no one understood what I was going through, and the judgment someone with this condition can receive, and it is often very difficult.” The Austin support group, which she founded in 1999, meets twice per year, and they stay in communication to help one another the rest of the time. Currently, there are approximately 40 members. Most importantly, Rose wants to help provide hope for anyone who develops a voice condition so they know they can get through it and find their voice again. Link to article about Rose Farmer and her Austin group: Finding Your Voice: Understanding Spasmodic Dysphonia.

Additionally, Rose has presented to graduate classes of speech-language pathology students at the University of Texas at Austin on multiple occasions (see photo below). According to her, “The students always have great questions, and it is a pleasure to talk with them.” She added: “I look forward to helping Professor Lester-Smith and her students in any way that I can.”

Dysphonia International is grateful for the experience, dedication and commitment shown by Leader, Rose Farmer of the Austin Dysphonia Support Group. She exemplifies these words: “You have the power to motivate and inspire. Let your enthusiasm shine.” (Author, JD Crighton)