Reader comments
'The Voice' — Illness hasn't hushed attorney's humor

Very inspiring story. I feel motivated to stop complaining.

There should be more reporting of these inspirational stories... very well written and an amazing account.

I am a speech pathologist and a member of the church; your story is quite remarkable and inspiring. Many of us definitely take our gift of speech for granted and when that is taken away we are humbled. I would suggest that you also look into Augmentative ways to communicate, using something like a Dynavox. This device can come in handy, you can have it programmed with many phrases and words that are indicative to your profession and when you have a problem like mucous again you can rip out the Augumentative device and start furiously punching buttons to get your point across.

I am going to print out your story and put it in my archives because it is so inspiring to those that are facing the challenges you have faced. Keep up your wonderful sense of humor as it will help many others to overcome their personal adversities.

Very Brave, and Enterprising. A "hero" worth emulating.

Have you thought of learning sign language? A sign language interpreter can voice translate for you in all kinds of settings including court.

very touching and inspiring, as others have said very brave. it is true about the whisper verses loudness. Want a child to hear whisper. Am thankful he has the Gospel and many wonderful family,friends and co-workers, and still his humor.

Having difficulties makes some people angry, some fearful, some it just reveals the love for life they have and their love for others. What a wonderful family. He has certainly set a fine example for them to emulate. Our Mother was a "Hero" as we watched her suffer for years with bone cancer. Thru it all her faith was strong and kept all of us strong with her. God Bless You All.

Thank you so much for your inspiring story. It touched my heart and made me cry at your brave spirit and courage. Thank you for putting into perspective the little things that are so important in life. God Bless You and your family.

Sir, Your story was exactly what I needed today. I am to see a neurologist for the first time tommorrow with a new diagnosis of MS. I have ben alternateing between denial and just plan giving up. I know that we are given only what we can handle and my life as been a hard one, I thought I was to old and tired to fight a new fight. Guess God is showing me he doesn't see us as we see ourselves. Your story is amazing. Your family and friends are strong and you are one of God's many Angels. Thank you for being you and being here when I needed you the most. Now through prayer I too will carry on. God Bless You angain Thank you for your story. Angel Youngblood-Chick your sister in faith.

Five years ago, when I was going in for surgery to remove a mass in my neck, I phoned my ex-wife and told her "You're finally getting your wish . . .someone's going to slit my throat!"

I've only talked to her 4 times in the 11 years since the divorce (that was the latest), but the joke was too good to pass by!

A well written and inspiring story about one who overcame a huge obstacle and most likely is a much better person because of it. Would he go back and be the man he was before all of this. I like to think the paper has some excellent articles like this one to publish, instead of the gossip which so often ruins entire families. In this case you could have skipped the graphic discription of the throat surgery, so that I may have shared this with my young children.