I’ve had different health struggles in my young life, and very few people who, despite the hardships I had to face, never gave up on me. That’s how I feel about Karen. She’s one of them people, or who I call my secret angels among other people. In 2015, I was diagnosed with Vocal Cord Dysfunction after many terrible episodes (one including an embarrassing hospital visit, after collapsing at my college), and many people who failed to diagnose me, and I began speech therapy at Professional Voice Care Center. Not only was (and is) Karen very friendly, understanding, supportive, and professional, but her kindness, encouragement, and motivation gave me the strength to progress and overcome my VCD, which, before my diagnosis, I felt was nearly impossible to overcome. Karen, through her great character, has also helped me reach colossal milestones in overcoming what I call the great degree of my muscle tension dysphonia, which I was diagnosed with this January of 2017. Prior to my diagnosis, my symptoms caused myself and everyone around me to suspect acid reflux (mainly because of the constant burning sensation I felt in my throat), but if it weren’t for my new ENT, Ron Mitzner, I wouldn’t have reunited with Karen for help again, so I’m also grateful for him too. I’ve been in speech therapy for just a little over 3 months, and, I’m already about to graduate! My hoarseness problem has improved 97%, with that occasional 3% annoyance that returns sometimes, I have no more burning sensations or pain in my neck, my vocal range (because I’m also a singer) has mostly been restored (with vocal warm ups and more weeks of doing my therapy exercises, I anticipate for the rest of my range to return), and a HUGE burden has been lifted off of me, thanks to Karen, who is officially my one and only favorite speech therapist!!!! Sometimes, I’m shy in expressing how I feel about how thankful I am for certain people in my life, but I’m glad to be expressing it now, and I believe that my success will make all the difference to people who are still struggling. Don’t give up if there is still hope left for your recovery. Karen is one of the hopes out there! 🙂