Help me get my voice back

Hi, my name is Lou Blissett, formerly known as 'Lewis Blissett'.

I'm reaching out to you carrying both humility and hope. Singing and creating music have always been the very core of my existence. Unfortunately, a vocal injury I suffered in July of 2023 whilst having unrelated surgery on my throat has taken this away from me.

I have detachment at the anterior commissure, creating what is called ‘A glottic gap’. To put it more simply, my vocal folds do not work as they should. Despite my efforts with training and therapy, this injury has left me unable to sing and with little ability to articulate myself with speech. I cannot remember the last time I went a day without struggle, let alone pursued the passion that fuels my soul.

Beyond the physical pain, this experience has been devastating most emotionally but of course career wise. Losing the ability to sing feels like losing a piece of myself. This recent year has truly been the darkest.

After consulting with specialists (ENT's and Voice Therapists) I've learned that recovery is possible, but it requires targeted treatment, surgery, speech therapy, and time.

These medical expenses are not covered by any type of insurance, and they are far beyond what I can afford on my own.

With this I could travel to the US to have my vocal folds reattached / re tensioned, and endure post surgery SALT. This would give me great hope to return to the only thing I could ever see myself doing and much less than that, improve my quality of life.

I have put off coming forward with this until now as to me, in the existential scheme of it all, there are much more troubling things happening in the world. I understand this is a massive ask considering my long haul hiatus. Singing comes at naturally to me as breathing does, and having this over me is hell.

I hope that you could consider aiding me in anyway, big or small.

With all the love in my heart,

Lou x