My dad died recently from lung cancer, almost 10 years after he lost his larynx. He did not smoke since the day he was told he had cancer. His passing has left a big hole in the life of everyone he touched.

My father used a vibrator device that takes the movements of the muscles in the neck and turns those movements into words. It is unisex so all people who use them sound nearly the same. It is necessary for this type of cancer survivor so they can communicate and continue to live a productive life. People who use them refuse to let their anger over losing their voices consume them.

Not everyone understands this.

My dad once called someone using a phone number that had been printed wrong. Thinking he had just dialed it wrong, he called again. The person answering the phone called him a freak and told him to stop calling.

I hope no one in anyone’s family suffers from this problem. That no one loses their larynx and has to speak with one of these devices. That strangers never look at a loved one as if they are strange or freaky.

I was very proud of my dad. He worked hard, he laughed, he spent time with his grandchildren and had lots of friends who loved him for the man he was, not the way he sounded when he spoke.

Some may have considered him a freak. We considered him “”Dad”” and he had feelings.

People deserve respect.

Cathy King, Wilton


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.