Speak easy newsletter 50 5 oct11

1. the SPEAK EASY club in Cornwall
for laryngectomees and the people who care for them.
Chairperson: Ron Wills, Phone: 01209 718284
E-mail: ronandrose.wills@btinternet.com
Newsletter No. 50 5 October 2011 Secretary: Jan Wilton, Phone: 01579 344884
E-mail: nhwilton@yahoo.co.uk
Joining members Ron & Rosemary, Nigel & Val, Peter, Ted, Janet and Jan at the Clock
and Key, Trispen on the 5th were our two Speakers, David Broadhurst from the Lions Club
of Truro and Miles Williams from Platon.
David demonstrated the Lions Speech-Aid unit which is designed for anyone who has a
low volume of speech and requires amplification to aid communication. The lightweight
Head Microphone is secured with a small earpiece which fits into either ear; this is
attached to a small low power battery powered amplifier which can be clipped to a jacket
pocket, etc. This speech aid, evolved over the past sixteen years, has been available in
other parts of the country, only now being introduced into Cornwall. Several of us tried this
by speaking only with a whisper, with excellent results - everyone in the room could hear
us. It was thought this would especially help those with oesophageal speech or Servox
users, but also of benefit to valve users because they only have to whisper. The cost is
£80 but Truro Lions Club will provide them for anyone unable to cover the outlay. Contact
David Broadhurst for further details or a free demonstration on 01209 614704 or 07866
540928 or email him at davidpbroadhurst@hotmail.com. Treliske SLT will have a sample.
Miles demonstrated the Provox Vega valve - very easily fitted in five minutes (hospital
change only), avoiding the problem of dilation; it can also be brushed right through. It is
much more robust and should last longer than the standard valve. There is a self-change
option available through Platon,on hospital recommendation, though it will not last as long.
Ron thanked David and Miles for demonstrating the equipment and giving us their time.
Events:
Thursday 3 November – visit to Radio Cornwall. Hope you can join us at 12 noon for
12.30 lunch which is available at The Carlton Hotel, Falmouth Road, Truro, to be followed
by a one hour tour round Radio Cornwall at 2.30 (maximum of 12 people, so please
contact Ron on 01209 718284 to confirm if you can come). Whether you join us for
lunch or only for the tour, we will all be able to leave our cars at The Carlton, and Speak
Easy will provide the taxi service to and from Radio Cornwall. Could you please bring
along any items you can spare for our car boot sale at Lostwithiel Sunday 6 November.
Wednesday 14 December – Christmas lunch, to be provided from Club funds, will be held
at The Carlton Hotel, Truro 12 noon for 12.30. Contact Janet Boxall on 01872 863241
or Ron Wills on 01209 718284 for details and to confirm you can come. The Speak Easy
raffle will be open to all, and we would welcome gifts to be donated as raffle prizes, with all
proceeds going to Speak Easy. We are delighted to know that founder member, Bob
Brewer, and Colin and Brenda are looking forward to joining our Christmas get together.
Our get well wishes to Colin Salter, Stan Edgcumbe and Reg Callaway.
Website. Macmillan are happy to set up a link to Speak Easy from their website as we are
a support group, and said there may be funding available for this. Val will be putting
together as much information as possible to get this started. NALC are working on their
website and asked us to contact them at a later date.
We are told that low tariff rate electricity may be available from EDF Electric for those
registered disabled. Contact number 0808 1015184.
SPEAK EASY club
No. 50 5 October 2011