I‘m always amused when I see the results of some new study that merely validates common sense.
This one, f’rinstance.
People with Parkinson’s disease suffer social difficulties simply because of the way they talk, a McGill University researcher has discovered. Marc Pell, at McGill’s School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, has learned that many people develop negative impressions about individuals with Parkinson’s disease, based solely on how they communicate. These perceptions limit opportunities for social interaction and full participation in society for those with the disease, reducing their quality of life. Pell’s research offers the public a better understanding of the difficulties these patients face – as well as an opportunity to promote greater inclusiveness.
Well. You could knock me over with a feather. IMAGINE! People hesitant to take part in social activities because they’re self-conscious about their quiet voices and tendency to slur their speech. But that only scratches the surface, study dudes!
We’re ALSO self-conscious about our posture, our masked expression and drooling that makes us look like idiots, our shuffling walk, the fact that we freeze up when we try to walk, for those who have tremor you can BET they’re self-conscious about that.
And the geniuses at McGill’s School of Communication Sciences and Disorders in Canada have just DISCOVERED this, that people get the wrong idea about us and don’t like being around us because of the way we TALK?
Puh-LEEZE! Who DOESN’T like being around a slow, shaky, drooling shuffler (in my case, with a scarred-up bald head from DBS surgery) who takes forever to get out of his chair and spends an eternity picking through the salad bar in the buffet line? Dude! We’re in DEMAND!
