Abby Fender, 39, who lives in Texas, USA, became the agenda of the world with her interesting situation after the surgery. Fender, a professional singer, said: “I woke up from surgery and immediately knew there was something wrong with my voice as I couldn’t speak in any voice.
Soon I began to feel my voice pitching very, very high, and we called it the “Russian Minnie Mouse voice”, where I always sounded like a cartoon character.
HE STARTED TO SPEAK WITH AN AUSTRALIAN ACCENT
Surprised by the initial change in speech, doctors diagnosed Fender with a rare condition known as Foreign Accent Syndrome. Taking speech therapy to fix the new ‘Russian Minnie Mouse voice’, Fender faces a new problem
He also developed an Australian accent.
EXPERIENCES PROBLEMS IN DAILY LIFE
No cases of brain damage were reported in Fender’s case. She explained that she was often asked about her strange and inexplicable accent, and that her health problem had a profound effect on her daily life. “I don’t want to lie about where I’m from, but sometimes I lie because it’s easier. Every time I do this, I feel like I’m denying who I really am. It’s not a good feeling, but I’m asked “where are you from” at least 10 times a day.”
THE UNDERLYING CAUSE CANNOT ALWAYS BE DETERMINED
This disease is a type of brain injury that typically causes speech impairment due to traumatic brain injury, stroke, aneurysm, or a central nervous system condition called multiple sclerosis. In some cases, an underlying cause cannot be determined.
Foreign accent syndrome has baffled neurologists and speech experts since it was first described in the early 20th century. People develop accents over time resulting from sound patterns in their local language, which is usually a subconscious process.
Only about 100 cases of FAS have been diagnosed since 1907. Some cases have made headlines in recent years for their quirks.
BRAIN DAMAGE CAN CAUSE
Last month, DailyMail.com revealed that a man in North Carolina developed an intense Irish accent after cancer surgery, even though he had never visited the country. Most of the nearly 100 cases reported since 1907 were the result of damage to the speech center of the brain, called Broca’s area.
SEEN MORE IN WOMEN
Located in the frontal lobe, this area is crucial to one’s ability to express ideas and use words correctly in spoken and written language. The condition is more common in women than men, and patients typically develop FAS due to stroke.
It can also develop as a result of developmental or psychological disorders, trauma or tumors.
HE DID SEVERAL SCANNINGS TO LEARN THE CAUSE OF THE SITUATION
“Now, it’s not that simple, so I avoid telling them where I’m from and instead just tell them what kind of accent they’re hearing.” Fender underwent a series of tests, including MRIs and CT scans, to reveal the neurological underpinnings of his condition, but efforts were unsuccessful. His voice, which he had developed since the age of 11, was also suffering. He said that he could not maintain the tone of voice before the surgery and took on a different tone.
“I CAN GET BACK MY OLD ACCENT”
A speech pathologist helped Ms. Fender regain her singing pitch and relax her neck muscles enough to switch to a natural speaking voice. “I couldn’t believe it because it was a miracle to hear my own voice again,” she said. “It was like coming home after a very long trip, but that didn’t last long, as I could just get my old accent back by using certain techniques, like blowing bubbles into a bottle of water using a straw.”
“I DON’T LIKE THAT I’M IN CONTROL”
Despite her great advances in speech therapy, Ms. Fender still continues to use accents. She said she’s been speaking with an Australian accent lately. “I’m starting to feel good about everything, but of course my latest change has sparked unexpected feelings of fear and shame.” I don’t like not having control or not knowing how to make a sound. This is so scary.”