What is it about?
Dysphagia is defined as "difficulty swallowing" but what does this mean for the patient. "Gift with Purchase" chronicles David's journey from head & neck cancer surgery and radiation to living a life where food is a necessary, but uncomfortable, joyless and sometimes dangerous part of his day.
Featured Image
Photo by John Jennings on Unsplash
Why is it important?
People living with dysphagia often feel misunderstood, socially isolated and frustrated. There are very few 'roadmaps' for navigating this condition. By sharing his journey, David and the team at McMaster University's Aging Swallow Research Lab aim to bring a much needed patient's perspective to it's ongoing research.
Perspectives
My personal mantra is "I had cancer, but I live with dysphagia". I use this to remind myself, and others,that I have to confront my chronic condition every single time I put food in my mouth. It is a very serious daily challenge that brings hazards, frustration and social isolation. I hope my story will inspire those with dysphagia ,and their caregivers ,to learn more about their challenges, seek help when needed and live well in spite of the limitations.
David Jamieson
McMaster University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Dysphagia—A Gift With Purchase: A Head and Neck Cancer Survivor's Narrative of Swallowing Difficulties, American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, February 2026, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA),
DOI: 10.1044/2025_ajslp-25-00446.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
