We are excited to welcome Scott Flanagan to the Dysphonia International Board of Directors! Scott has been engaged with the organization, especially with World Voice Day. We asked Scott to share a little more about his experience and journey with spasmodic dysphonia.
I am Scott A. Flanagan from Fremont Nebraska, just outside of Omaha. I came to Fremont in 2003 to attend Midland Lutheran College (now Midland University). I graduated from Midland in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Since college, I have worked at the store, Country Traditions as the head of Machine Sales & Consumer Education (2007-2024) and own my own business, 4th & Main Designs. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking and traveling, and I am slowly working on a degree in organ performance.
As a nationally known Quilt Pattern Designer and Presenter, I travel the United States teaching and speaking on the art of quilting. When my SD started in June of 2017. My first thought was that the vocation for which I had a deep passion was over. In hindsight, it was a turning point in my life, and my voice became an asset, not a hindrance. My slogan is Quilting is My Voice, which is core to who I am. My professional bio addresses my voice disorder head-on “…if you meet me in person, you will quickly notice my voice isn’t normal. No, I haven’t talked too much, no, I am not sick, and no, it doesn’t hurt. I suffer from a neurological voice disorder called spasmodic dysphonia”. Since this change in my life, I have used my quilting and designing to speak not only for myself but also to raise awareness about voice disorders.
Professionally, I have worked in the quilting industry since 2014, written over 100 Patterns for national publication, authored three books, and designed three fabric collections for Northcott Fabrics. My second fabric collection, “Quilting Is My Voice,” from Banyan Batiks, came out in January 2024. I will be donating part of my royalties back to Dysphonia International, and Northcott Fabrics has offered to match my donation.
Starting in 2018 for World Voice Day, I have hosted a yearly fundraiser to raise awareness throughout the Quilting Community. Giving away patterns, books, and even raffle-off quilts to donors.
Involvement with Dysphonia International
Scott Flanagan serves as an Area Contact Leader, has attended and presented at support group meetings in Iowa, presented virtually as part of the Guest Speaker Program, and participated in the Living with a Voice Condition Panel Discussion during the 2020 Virtual Symposium. Most recently, Scott presented at the 2024 Leadership Workshop and attended the Symposium in Tampa.
More about Scott
Quilting is My Voice
Personal Profile on Scott
2020 Virtual Symposium Presentation
World Voice Day (info and/or videos on Scott from 2021-2024)