I have added a word to my tool box thanks to my husband’s new Speech Pathologist through the Parkinson Voice Project and their Speak Out! Program; that word is “intent”.  Their entire program is built around helping him relearn to speak with intent. They define speaking with intent as focusing, concentrating, being purposeful and mindful, being in control and putting forth a conscious effort. When I can’t hear or understand something he says, my task is to remind him to “speak with intent” and give him another chance. He has been working with them for less than a month and we are definitely seeing a positive outcome.

Watching his success in this area made me wonder, what if he were able to expand this skill to all he does? What if he were to stand and walk with intent? What if he were to eat with intent? What if he were to do everything with intent? Parkinson’s Disease forces him to live in the moment, this concept can give him back some control of those moments.

I am so tired of asking him to speak louder, stop mumbling, walk carefully or stand up straight. Instead I am going to start reminding him to be intentional in all he does. Walk with intent, speak with intent, live with intent. It is a more empowering message that engages him fully in the activity. And it reminds both of us that he is always doing the best he can in the moment and that is all anyone can expect. Maybe it’s time for me to practice living with intent too?

Visit Parkinson Voice Project to learn about the Speak Out! program and their goal of Speaking with Intent.