Rachel’s Story
Rachel (Age: 25-34)
Singing is everything to me. It is the best way I know how to share my thoughts and feelings with the world. Singing has always felt freeing and brought me joy.
SINGING PRACTICE
Rachel is a professional singer, actor, and voice teacher.
I am using my body as my instrument for hours a day.
RACHEL’S STORY
At a young age, Rachel noticed that her body did not function the same way as others.
I was taken to the emergency room after trying to participate in a basketball game during PE class and nearly passed out, while my heart rate jumped beyond 200bpm. [...] The next 5 years were spent in and out of specialists and doctors, trying to figure out why my joints were randomly dislocating and why I was in so much pain. Each year past puberty seemed to come with new symptoms, more things breaking, and more confusion. I finally was diagnosed at the age of 19 with hEDS, then soon after that with POTS.
Has your singing practice or pursuit of singing shifted in any way since your diagnosis/onset of symptoms?
Every symptom I experience affects my singing in some way. Some days, it's pretty painful to stand and sing due to dislocated hips, back pain, abdominal bloating and nausea, headaches, lightheadedness... something as simple as taking in an expansive breath can be excruciating at times. Amidst all of that, the most painful and difficult symptoms to identify and manage have been the weak yet tense muscles in my neck and laryngeal reflux disorder that make singing extremely tiring.
I remember performing my barrier jury for my professors and being told I was passing but with reservations. Coming from a place of care, I remember them expressing that they were unsure if I would be able to be competitive in this field, or even pass the final requirement of singing for 60 minutes due to my weak vocal stamina. Singing for even 15 minutes was exhausting, and I'd lose my voice. Although these were fair concerns, it was a huge blow to me. I had worked so hard, yet I felt like I was told I was expected to fail. It was then that I [was] determined to prove them wrong and realized I would have to find different ways to train than my fellow students. I sourced most of this on my own and am still figuring out what works for me and what doesn't.
I have had shifts in my goals and pursuits, but I find those shifts to be based on other things, and not on my condition. I have shifted the way I practice, and the way I think about singing and performance to accommodate my condition. I am always determined to find a way to achieve my goals, while also caring for myself and my body. It is totally possible.
ACCOMMODATIONS THAT HELP RACHEL WHILE SINGING
Maintaining a low-inflammatory diet,utilizing medication to treat acid reflux, straw phonation, and sitting or laying down when needed
I also have been to voice therapy and other physical therapy to help me release and strengthen my muscles in my body. For me, that has been the most helpful and sustainable thing.
RACHEL’S ADVICE
For singers with her conditions:
If you are a training singer with chronic conditions, PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP! You can do whatever you put your mind to, you just may need to do it differently than most. Advocate for yourself and take the time you need to make sure you're okay. If you're in pain, say something. Find teachers willing to work with you and your condition and to figure out tools and strategies that work for you. Build your strength slowly and calmly- don't overdo it. Just work at it a little at a time, and you can get there. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it. You can. You are capable. You just need to be creative and find what works for you to get you where you want to go.
For professionals working with singers with these conditions:
Please don't say "you can't" to a student. They can. They may just need to do it a bit differently. Hold them to a high standard for THEM, and don't push them. One moment of pain can take days or weeks to recover from, so listen to your singer's limits, and find ways to help them feel safe both emotionally and physically. Find creative ways to help them learn to use their body correctly. Remember that something as simple as reaching your arm out to the side and holding it can be extremely difficult for a hypermobile singer. I've had to practice repeatedly to learn when my elbow is overextended, my shoulder is hyperextended, where my arm is in space and if it's even in a straight line, if I'm using muscles to hold it up in the correct way... and that's just an arm. Not vocal folds. Not the ribcage. Not also managing POTS symptoms and the blood rushing to the fingertips. You get the idea.So, please be patient as your singer figures out new coordinations! They can do it. It just takes time.
