Sharing Experiences, Inspiring Hope
At the National Foundation of Swallowing Disorders, we know that every patient journey is unique, and every story matters. Living with a swallowing disorder can feel isolating, but the experiences of others can provide comfort, hope, and practical advice.
Why Your Stories Matter
Patient stories are a powerful tool for:
- Inspiring Others: Your journey can encourage those facing similar challenges, showing them they are not alone.
- Building Awareness: Sharing personal experiences helps others understand the profound impact swallowing disorders have on individuals and families.
- Advancing Advocacy: Real stories highlight the importance of research, innovation, and improved access to care for dysphagia patients.
Share Your Story
Your story can make a difference. Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, or healthcare professional, sharing your experience helps others feel seen and understood. Together, we can empower the dysphagia community and advocate for a future with better treatments and support.
Read Our Patient Stories
- Dysphagia – A Poem
Dysphagia By Nerida Kingsford Having a mouthful of spit,When you can’t get … - NYU Langone’s Voice Center Helps a Patient with a Complex Swallowing Disorder Eat Again
This article was originally published by NYU Langone Health NewsHub on June … - Sound Bytes Podcast Recordings
The NFOSD Sound Bytes mini-podcast series focuses on the experiences of patients … - Ron’s Journey with Dysphagia
Meet Ron: Husband, father of 4, grandfather of 5, active tennis enthusiast, … - From Feast to Fiasco
From Feast to Fiasco: a feeding tube journey through the eyes of … - Superhero Bodhi
When you think of a newborn baby you think of soft, cotton … - Mia’s Story
Meet Mia. A three-and-a-half-year old little girl from a small town in … - Learning How to Live a Positive, Healthy Life with Dysphagia
Meet Caterine Kamber. Caterine’s daughter, Aurelie Micah-Pearl, has been on a pureed … - Inside a Swallowing Disorder Support Group
By Bryn Nelson. This is article was first published in March 2016 … - An SLP with ACC
“I’m sorry, but you have cancer.” With those six jarring words, my … - I Can Sing! Who Knew?!
By John E. Ready “It’s never too late to be what you … - “Traveling Space Available” (III)
Byline: Tom Dawson, an expert world traveler and tube feed user, has … - The Shaking Man (A Prose Poem), Part 1
The Shaking Man (A Prose Poem), Part 1 By Reinfred Addo (For … - NUTRAPHAGIA: Dignity and Joy through Food
[Note from the editor: Nutraphagia is an NFOSD Sponsor of National Dysphagia … - Faces of Dysphagia 2018
Meet our 2018 Faces of Dysphagia June is recognized as National Dysphagia … - Report from Old Greenwich
Byline: Tom Dawson, an expert world traveler and tube feed user, has … - “Traveling Space Available” IIMackenbach, Germany December 3, 2016 at 0900 hours Many years ago, I …
- Kindness, a Powerful Force: During our Darkest Moments There is Light
Byline: Lisa Ingrassia On Sunday, February 19th with the love and support … - My Belly Has Two Buttons
By Meikele Lee, author of the children’s book “My Belly has Two … - A Moveable FeastIt’s hard to know which events inform our reality and which only …
- A Newfound Meaning to Life
Byline: Steve Clark from Camp Verde, AZ In the years since I was … - I Love You Even If This Is Forever
Three years ago this month, Julia Tuchman wrote one of our most … - Imagine
Byline: Lisa Ingrassia, daughter of a head-and-neck cancer fighter who recently passed away … - When Breath Becomes Air a book by Paul Kalanithi
By: Ed Steger, President, NFOSD [Note. Why I’m writing this book review. … - Tough to Swallow
Byline: Kate Kelsall is an award-winning blogger about Parkinson’s Disease and co-hosts … - Eat, Drink, and Be Merry…Or Not
Written by Lisa Ingrassia, daughter of a head-and-neck cancer fighter and author … - My Failed Swallow: A Disability, Not a Mindset
Byline: Samantha Anderson, Australia I could have written this from so many … - Facing Fears and Finding Hope
My name is Fay and I am married to Gordon. I am … - EAT, DRINK, BE MERRY AND MAKE A TOAST WITH A NEW VOICE
My name is Alistair Baillie. I am 68 years old and live … - The Story of Doctor Whynot
Byline: Hank Miller [Pictured, Hank and Nancy at Yosemite is 2014] In the … - I Am Still HereBIO My name is Arthur Lazarus. I was born in New Hampshire …
- Gigi, Your Kiss is Broken
Written by: Penelope Michel “Gigi, your kiss is broken.” The wisdom of … - The Suspected Throat Infection that Changed my Life
Byline: Karly. Click here for Karly’s blog. Hello everyone. My name is … - A Decade of Coping (Voiceless, Hungry, and Determined at 16 – Part 2)
[Editor’s note. This Patient Story is the second of a two part … - THE DREADED “YOUR NEW NORM” (PART 2)
[Editors note: THE DREADED “YOUR NEW NORM” is a two-part series written … - Voiceless, Hungry, and Determined at Sixteen
[Editor’s note. This Patient Story is the first of a two part … - THE DREADED “YOUR NEW NORM” (PART 1)
[Editors note: THE DREADED “YOUR NEW NORM” is a two-part series written … - The Real Life by Carolyn Anderson
On December 4, 2009, my entire life changed forever in a way … - Looking Down the Barrel of a Feeding Tube
Byline: Barbara Blades January 2005 The last time I can remember eating … - Couldn’t Believe It
Byline: Gloria Hevener [Editor’s note: The NFOSD would like to thank Gloria … - She can’t eat but wants to be a chef
By Frederik Pleitgen and Vivienne Foley, CNN Click CNN Health for link … - You’re in the Army Now – Diary of a Survivor of Swallowing Boot Camp
by Stephen Alan Boyar [NFOSD note. Join author Steve Boyar on his … - Meet May Roberta Roméy – She has Dysphagia
[Editor’s note: I had the opportunity to interview this wonderful woman recently. … - The Hungry Games – A True Short Story of Life With Dysphagia
Byline: Julia Tuchman is a writer and photographer living in New York … - A Daughter’s Thoughts – Happy Father’s Day, DadByline: Lisa Ingrassia I have always been a “daddy’s girl”, so when my …
- Jack is Back – Two Week Swallowing “Boot Camp”A Daily Log of my experiences by Jack Eadon [Editors note. The …
- Bittersweet Nectar – The Journey of a Mom and Her Son
By Jaime Bailey (Eli’s mom) [NFOSD note – Jaime shares the 5 … - Thanksgiving is a Tough Time for Those Unable to Eat
UC Davis physician, Dr. Peter Belafsky, plans to fast in solidarity with … - Happy Thanksgiving! You’re Excused!
Many chairs will be vacant at our Thanksgiving table this year as … - Jack is Back! Rockstar, Business Owner and Author – He has Dysphagia
On March 24, 2012, Jack Eadon, along with his Team Jack walked … - Eli: A Beautiful Thriving 2 Year Old… with Dysphagia
This story is about Eli, a bright, energetic, angel of a boy … - Dysphagia patients experience the effects of water boarding
Written by Ed Steger, NFOSD president and a severe dysphagia sufferer for … - Sonia Blue Profile
In 2003 I had a divorce, brain surgery and resulting DYSPHAGIA (inability …