Cura la voce

For many children, speaking and eating are not simple and natural actions, but are really and truly daily challenges. Problems with their voices or swallowing can compromise their health, growth, and quality of life, with even important repercussions for the emotional and relational well-being of the children and their families.

Voice problems afflict up to 15% of school-age children, and, in some cases, can be tied to complex conditions such as laryngeal paralysis or papillomatosis. Even just swallowing can be difficult; about 1 in 100 children can’t do it safely, while up to 25% have problems eating a normal meal.

An early diagnosis is fundamental in order to intervene effectively, but today the Struttura Complessa di Foniatria e Logopedia of the Ospedale dei Bambini Buzzi in Milan has instruments that are not always sufficient for tackling the more delicate cases, particularly those of very small or uncooperative children.

For this reason, the Fondazione Prossimo Mio has chosen to support Fondazione Buzzi in its project “Cura la voce” (Taking Care of the Voice) by contributing to the purchase of a high definition video-laryngoscopy with audio recording and strobe light capabilities.

This new technology will permit the specialists to:

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See moving vocal chords in great detail,

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Document the evolution of the voice over time,

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Observe the passage of food along the digestive tract,

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It is an innovative and complete tool that aids the departments of phoniatrics, speech therapy, nutrition, and pulmonology in working online, thereby significantly improving the treatment of children with complex or rare conditions.

Thanks to this intervention it will be possible to:

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Have a more accurate and timely diagnosis,

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Share the results with the multi-disciplinary team easily,

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Reduce respiratory risks due to dysphagia,

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Offer a more efficient support as well as more sure courses of treatment to families.

The impact will be immediate and concrete with benefits for the more than 400 children already followed by the Ospedale Buzzi, and with the possibility of extending service to other little fragile patients.

This project was made possible thanks to the generosity of Cecilia and Dylan La Ferla-Rose, a bride and groom who chose to transform their special day into a gift for many children by inviting their wedding guests to support our foundation.