Lisa
Andreson
The following is an open letter written by patient Lisa Andreson
after she completed Direct Voice Rehabilitation in 1980.
To Whom it May Concern:
A few years ago, because of voice misuse, my vocal cords became
very weak and when I would speak, I would lose ends of words and
sentences. My voice was very much lower all of a sudden (to this
day I blame it on the birth control pill). Anyway, I went to an
Ear, Nose and Throat doctor in Beverly Hills. I was diagnosed with
Spastic Dysphonia and told that if I didn't get better, I might
have to have a throat operation.
The Doctor told me to "do things you like to do, play tennis,
jog, whatever you like.I am going to prescribe Valium." Soon
afterwards I started to pursue an acting career. When I was being
critiqued after some scene work, I mentioned that I was having trouble
with my voice. One of the students recommended that I go and see
Dr. Morton Cooper.
When I went to Dr. Cooper, he told me that my voice was coming
from the throat and that I was using shallow breathing. He simply
taught me how to breathe from the diaphragm and to raise my voice
up into the face mask area.
I later went to Europe to Drama School, where I again was taught
this very same method diaphragm breathing and resonance from the
lips and face mask area.
Whenever I slip back to a low voice (usually out of laziness),
doing the simple voice placement exercises - humming, etc., always
works. These voice methods are no secret. They are taught world
wide. I attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
Personally, I think that it is inappropriate to offer an operation
as an alternative to this condition of Spasmodic Dysphonia. I met
several people who had this operation ... and they were absolutely
no better.
Finally, I think that Dr. Morton Cooper is practicing in a very
simple, straightforward and effective way - which works, and can
be backed up by any legitimate voice coach.
Sincerely,
LISA ANDRESON
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