Can you stop rabbiting?: Dad's speech is... - PSP Association

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Can you stop rabbiting?

Mikocat profile image
22 Replies

Dad's speech is getting worse, a lot of the time he doesn't talk because he can't be bothered (on a recent trip to hospital they were surprised to learn that he COULD speak as he hadn't bothered trying with the staff), when he does talk it's quite whispery and he has to repeat himself a few times before we can work out what he's saying. Then he gets frustrated. However when I was visiting him today he twice managed to say, loudly and clearly "Can you stop rabbiting?" to me!! *sigh* Sometimes it feels like there is no logic to it.

And sometimes I wonder why I bother, but that's another story. ;-)

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Mikocat profile image
Mikocat
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22 Replies
Kevin_1 profile image
Kevin_1

Infuriating... but gotta make you smile!

And, yes I too have the other story question thing.

:)

MaiSalah profile image
MaiSalah

My dad have problems at speech too.. he repeat the same words many times with the same tone and then he just stops.. i had to ask him again. What are you saying?. His voice seems as he is drunk sometimes.. take care xx

NannaB profile image
NannaB

That made me smile. My hubby doesn't speak at all but I carry on talking to him about everything that is going on. One day I was telling him all about a conversation I had with a friend and then said, "I expect you are saying inside, for goodness sake stop rabbiting on, aren't you?". I wasn't expecting a response but his thumb went straight up. He then did a little chuckle. The most response I had received from him for ages.

I still rabbit on.

I'm sure your dad wants you to visit but as his speaking is difficult perhaps he worries about having to answer you. When I used to visit my dad, who was very deaf, I'd talk to him when I got there for a bit and then read a magazine or book while he watched the TV then I'd spend time talking to him again before I left. That seemed to work for us.

X

Heady profile image
Heady

We have to remember that it's the messages not getting through again. There is nothing wrong with your Dads voice, just the neurons are not letting the messages to speak get through. Most of the time, it's easier for them not to even try. Of course, when the adrenaline gets going, that does help, hence, the "stop rabbiting"

We are all guilty of "rabbiting" what else can you do, if I didn't, my voice would go as well, use it or lose it! Although I am finding now, some days I barely speak a word, except to nag him of course!!! You are right about why we bother, well we know the answer, but it is very hard on occassions.

Lots of love

Heady

abirke profile image
abirke

B's voice is strong but he slurs horribly.....He is much like your dad...rather not answer than trying to find the word and then figure out how to pronounce it...but like the most of us especially Nannab's example, I rabbit on in the morning giving him my opinion as I read how idiot face...sorry Donald Trump ...said this or that and how I felt about it......For any of you Christians out there who would rather vote for Trump and his conservative beliefs....It's a lie....he is lying to you...If he does not start WWIII, It probably will never happen... you don't have to vote for Clinton...also a liar ,,,, but please don't vote for that man...OOOPS! yous see there, I go rabbiting on again....sorry :)

AVB

Rabbit on my fellow carers!!!

jzygirl profile image
jzygirl

Brian goes through stages sometimes he is very quiet other times he stutters and when he he wants to be he is very articulate. I always say it is dependant on what he has got to say. Janexx

Doglinton profile image
Doglinton

Agree with all but sometimes I think he is talking to himself. Does he think he is rabbiting on ?

Chris also sometimes repeats what I have just said. It must be so frustrating for them trying to get past the tangle.

Jean x

Robbo1 profile image
Robbo1

I sometimes get cross, because I have constantly struggled to understand the words all slurred into one, yet, when the doctor or nurse asks a question, he answers clearly!!!

Doglinton profile image
Doglinton

Chris invariably talks more and clearer to everyone else.

Mikocat profile image
Mikocat in reply to Doglinton

Than to you? Yeah I've been there if his friends visit.

am2015 profile image
am2015

My mum is the same, very limited speech. However what we have noticed is that when she is one to one then she is able to converse better. If there are a few of us in the room (just family) then she will not talk and you see her drifting away. She does repeat what is said quite frequently, but even that is nice because I get to hear her voice. I find that may giving her time to get the words out, without interrupting helps so she can get her train of thought. It is hard no doubt, but PSP leaves us no choice. All the best.

1812blackdog profile image
1812blackdog

My wife's speech is the same but we use a Light Writer which is a very big help we take with us where ever we go

easterncedar profile image
easterncedar in reply to 1812blackdog

What's that, may I ask?

1812blackdog profile image
1812blackdog in reply to easterncedar

It has a keyboard where she types what she wants to say you are also able to read the screen on the back where you can read whiles she's types got through our speech therapist and it's been a god send

1812blackdog profile image
1812blackdog in reply to easterncedar

If you google light writer all the neccesary information is there

easterncedar profile image
easterncedar in reply to 1812blackdog

Thanks, black dog. Interesting device. I wish we could use it. And I wish we'd figured out some kind of sign language earlier. As it is, we are often limited to thumb up or down, as even yes and no are too hard for him to say. The lack of communication is very hard to bear for both of us.

1812blackdog profile image
1812blackdog in reply to easterncedar

You should get in touch with your speech therapist if that would be a help not sure what stage the psp is at

easterncedar profile image
easterncedar in reply to 1812blackdog

Yes, we've had a lot of sessions with speech therapists, which have helped a LOT, and we have exercises he is supposed to do a few times a day. It helps when he does them, but it gets tiresome for him. Some days he talks fairly well, some days not at all.

1812blackdog profile image
1812blackdog in reply to easterncedar

You ask the speech therapist to see if you can get you a light writer it will be a great help for you both

easterncedar profile image
easterncedar in reply to 1812blackdog

He can't use anything like a keyboard, alas.

1812blackdog profile image
1812blackdog in reply to easterncedar

What a shame didn't know your circumstances I can now understand your problem now

Cuttercat profile image
Cuttercat

Boy you said it, me too!!!

Cuttercat

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