Read My Lips!
Occasionally I would go to the market to get fruits. And two days ago, when I went to get some bananas, the fruit-seller asked me, how was my throat. He thought that I just lost my voice temporary, and told me to take some kind of chinese herbs that can bring back my voice. So I’ve to explain to him - in my own way, that I had cancer of the throat and showed him the scar, and with the action of my hand to tell him I had surgery and my larynx has been removed - and that I cannot speak anymore. Then he said “Oh! I didn’t know, I thought you just lost your voice temporary due to some sickness.” He said that I look much better now and have put on some weight. When he saw me a few months ago, I look so skinny. Then he said that actually he could understand what I was trying to say by reading my lips.
That’s quite true in a way. I realized that if I only speak a word or two, people do or can understand what I’m trying to say - especially when it’s related to the subject or situation. Example: If I go to the fruit-seller and say “pisang raja” - he would be able to understand, as it is related to what he sells. If I don’t try to “speak” more than 2 or 3 words, it is most likely you will be able to catch what I’m trying to say. Of course by now, I have developed certain ways of communicating with people who are familiar with me. And if my message doesn’t get across, then a pen and a piece of paper should do the trick (haha!!!)