I tried practicing with my speech therapist once, but without sound, I have no idea if I'm moving my tongue or lips correctly. It feels really weird and I just can't get it right.

2. If you mean me moving my mouth so someone else can read my lips: I can't really do that. I need a voice to know if I'm making the right shapes.

I think there are two ways to answer this, so I’ll try to explain!

1. If you mean me reading other people's lips: I don’t actually need to do that. My ears work fine and I can hear everything okay. The problem isn’t me understanding people, it’s just that I can't talk back.

I can't say enough how awesome you are, Staś. I love how you don't repeat the slogan of "non-verbal doesn't mean non-thinking", but dare to back it up with your actual IQ scores. 👍 You deserve all the love in the world. 💝

~ Emeryk

Gahhh, you’re making it worse! I don’t even know what to say now because I’m so red. 😳 Just come over, okay? I'll be the one glowing in the corner.

Stop it, I'm blushing now! Be careful, or I'm gonna squeeze you super hard next time you're here for Aleks. 🤭

I have also had to ask myself how open I want to be publicly, especially in an age where my generation is already criticised for oversharing. Despite that hesitation, I have made my choice, and I am ready to see this through.

It might appear simple to some, but in the background where no one can see, I needed to learn coding and push myself past a few of my usual limits. You will understand why when I share it.

However, that does not excuse this dishonesty. It is bonkers that we have to deal with this level of inaccuracy from "experts."

It is honestly disgraceful that medical experts sign off on this disinformation. I suspect it is just laziness. People are using AI to write articles without actually knowing the facts or checking if the information is correct.

They even claim the @apapsychiatric.bsky.social outlines specific criteria for it in the DSM-5. I checked my dad's copy, and it is not even listed as a diagnosis.

It gets much worse. Sources like Verywell Health spread pure fiction. They claim aphonia is a disorder where you can actually still speak. They also insist it is always neurological or psychological, never physical. None of those claims are true.

Clinically, aphonia means the absence of a voice. Yet, if you look it up, even medical professionals claim it means "loss of voice." That ignores people like me with congenital aphonia. I was born without vocal folds. I did not lose my voice; I simply never had one.

Thank you for the repost. I am feeling quite shy now. 🫣 I know we follow each other here and on X, but I never expected someone as amazing as you to interact with me. It truly means a huge amount to me. 🥺

Thank you!