Oak Brook, IL — The Sound Center has been awarded another grant to assist with Parkinson’s therapy programs.
The grant will support continued growth of SPEAK OUT!® and LOUD Crowd® treatment programs. These highly effective therapies improve voice and swallowing function in people with Parkinson’s Disease.
“People with Parkinson’s Disease often have voices that are hoarse, breathy, and monotone, and they may be difficult to understand” said Michelle Eppley, Speech-Language Pathologist and President of The Sound Center. “We want them to get their voices back. It is life-changing.”
The focus of these therapy programs is to convert speech from an automatic function to an intentional act. Once participants graduate from individual SPEAK OUT!® sessions, they attend ongoing weekly LOUD Crowd® group sessions. In these groups, they practice their exercises, keep each other motivated, and provide camaraderie.
The Parkinson Voice Project, which runs the grant program, is the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the world solely dedicated to helping individuals with Parkinson’s improve their speech and swallowing.
With the support of Parkinson Voice Project, The Sound Center offers LOUD Crowd® sessions at no cost to participants. Currently due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SPEAK OUT!® sessions and LOUD Crowd® meetings are being held online through telehealth. Medicare and other insurers are covering individual Telehealth therapy sessions. Any person who has Parkinson’s Disease is invited to participate. Contact us.
