MP Anna Sabine Receives Support After Vocal Cord Damage
Anna Sabine, the Liberal Democrat MP for Frome and East Somerset, is currently receiving assistance from a speech and language therapist following damage to her vocal cord during thyroid surgery.
Sabine revealed that the nerve controlling one of her vocal cords was harmed during the recent operation. She shared her experience in an interview with BBC Radio Somerset, expressing encouragement after learning that BBC presenter Nick Robinson underwent a similar ordeal but was able to continue his broadcasting career.
Robinson, who suffered vocal cord damage during surgery to remove a lung tumour, extended his support to Sabine, stating:
"It's rather emotional for me listening to that."
Sabine described the discovery of her voice impairment as:
"a huge shock and a massive upset".
She is currently engaged in speech and language therapy and is exploring additional treatment options. Sabine explained:
"You're trying to train your other vocal cord to compensate so it's going to be slow going but I am up for the challenge."
Robinson also benefited from speech and language therapy during his recovery. He praised the therapists, saying:
"These people are saints. They coax you and they teach you to speak again and, in a way, the fact that I am now doing the job I am, as a radio presenter, is proof that it can work."
Adjustments for Parliamentary Duties
Sabine hopes that arrangements can be made to support her return to Parliament. She mentioned:
"We'll hopefully come to some arrangement whereby I can either get microphoned up or someone can speak on my behalf.
I am just going to have to get known as the whispering MP,"
she added.
Nick Robinson's Experience with Vocal Cord Damage
Nick Robinson sustained damage to one of his vocal cords during surgery to remove a tumour from his lung in 2015.
He reflected on the emotional impact of losing his voice, stating:
"I was more upset, more distressed by losing my voice than by having my cancer diagnosis.
To think you would be in a room and just couldn't be heard at all, was pretty horrific, actually."
Robinson emphasized the crucial role of speech and language therapists in his recovery:
"These people are saints. They coax you and they teach you to speak again and, in a way, the fact that I am now doing the job I am, as a radio presenter, is proof that it can work."
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