My very best to you.

When I was little I was forever being told to 'quit whining' -for pretty much the same reasons as you. So that made me focus on how I sounded more than I otherwise would have too. I eventually learned how to correct that so they would stop complaining, but of course, that only made them more convinced that I was doing it on purpose when I wasn't. ...this was, of course, after they forced me into beginning to speak in the first place sometimes after I was 3.

Pursue your dreams--whatever they are. Reach your potential. Don't let your voice hold you back. Use it to your advantage. A characateristic which sets us apart from the majority encourages a different sort of growth (compassion, understanding, etc.). I hear that humanity in what you've written. I have no doubt that you can do whatever you decide to do. Good luck.

I'm 30 yrs. old and am fairly close to your age. I just wanted to say that I can totally relate to what you're talking about with the high pitched "baby" voice. I say go for what you know. I made it through college and earned my degree with this voice. I wasn't diagnosed until a year after I graduated college. I often kick myself for not trying to get help sooner. I can't help but wonder what my GPA would have looked like had I not had SD. It got so bad to the point that I would drop classes that had a lot of class participation. And what's worse was the teachers that made you read out loud to the class. UGGGGHHH!!! But, you can't look back and keep saying "what if". I get Botox injections every 3-4 months which really helps. I am applying to graduate school and law school now so don't ever let anyone tell you that you CAN'T do something. I had a doctor tell me that I shouldn't even consider being a lawyer because of my voice. Do what YOU want to do, not what someone else THINKS you should be doing.

So, I close in saying thank you all for your beautiful words of inspiration, and acceptance.

You know, I'll bet everyone here on the BB can relate to everything you said. You definitely came to the right place. This is about as *real* as it gets. No phony pretenses (for the most part, lol) because we're all going through this.

Definitely pursue your dreams. Sure, it won't always be easy, but think of the satisfaction you'll have, instead of looking back years later and going, "Gee, IF ONLY I tried".

When you get to know people on this BB, you'll see they come from all walks of life, all kinds of jobs. Several are even Teachers.

I used to play keyboards and sing in rock/Top 40 club bands. Often singing songs out of my range. By the time I turned 30, I did this really loud scream (out of stress, not onstage) and suddenly within a week, my voice changed. Years later I got an official diagnosis of AB SD. I tried Botox and although it hasn't worked for me, I'm still experimenting.

Try Botox. Maybe it'll help. Also look into chiropractic and acupuncture, to ease the SD. Search this BB and you'll find some helpful tips.

I own and operate a recording studio, and am constantly dealing with all kinds of bands and artists: hardcore rock, rap, jazz, celtic, punk, folk, you name it. Guess what? Nearly all of them have been cool with my voice. A handful have asked questions, but once they learn, they say "oh" and everything's fine. To them, it's probably just different, but okay. It's the ability of what you do that counts. I still give them a final product they're happy with.

And whatever YOU do with your chosen career, the main thing is the service you provide to others. Also your attitude that you "can and will" use your talents that you have.

--fancynancy--

AB SD/tremor/poss. MTD, central CA

I'm 25, only diagnosed for 1.5 years, and new to the bulletin board but find it very good to talk. I totally identify with choosing to isolate yourself. I felt I couldn't show this to anyone and still am hesitant to. The Botox works very well for me (I'm ADSD) so i actually don't have to deal much anymore with it for a couple months at a time. I know I am fortunate in this respect.

It is very difficult that your family isn't supoprting you much. It is such a major blow to your identity, ego, confidence, social interactions, outlook for the future, ability to date, etc that you need help to keep a positive outlook and learn to cope. As everyone is telling me, utilize every resource you can to have info about SD, medical & insurance info, support groups, etc.

Truly keep hanging in there and good luck.

Feel free to email,

You are not the first SDer I've heard of who has gone into ASL as a perfect fit area of specialization. I'm contemplating making more of my professional emphasis, as an educator, be in on-line teaching for the same reason. Your solution keeps something very important: warm human interactions. While some folks are wired to be comfortable emotionally as hermits of one sort or another, most people need the interactions and, for some, it's our lifeblood. I have just recently been grappling with the emotional effect that cutting back on "talking events" has been having on me. I have been purposely changing the way I work, cutting back and spacing out meetings and a host of other ways I would normally interact with people, because the exhaustion has really gotten me down. I thought this was working, but the resulting increase in isolation is having a bigger impact, I think, so I need to take stock and rework how I am dealing with my own AB SD. Your field is a perfect one to keep you plugged into people. I encourage you, as other posters have done, to pursue higher education. The field of deaf education is such an important one, because deafness can be so terribly isolating. Are you located where you have access to a good program in that field? Can you move to where the right program might exist for you?

I hope you will have access to the means to explore the various treatment options thoroughly. I haven't yet heard from an AB person who thinks there is one thing that is "IT" -- normally it takes a certain combination to get whatever improved results are possible for a given individual.

Are you in a local support group? Is there any chance you can get to the patient symposium scheduled in DC March 8?

Please keep posting. I can tell from all the other responses that you have been getting lots of virtual hugs from this community. I have similarly found this to be a source of wonderful information, insights, comfort, and inspiration. You gave me, personally, a big dose of the latter by posting.