The Bookkeeper Lost Her Voice | Amy speaks with Aphasia after being diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)

Having a voice is about so much more than talking, or even communicating. Finding your voice is about walking the difficult but rewarding path from being invisible, silenced and ashamed, to being heard, understood, and seen. 

When Amy started her bookkeeping business in 2015, she found clients difficult and at times abusive, which left her feeling isolated, stressed and questioning her own abilities. After connecting with other bookkeepers, Amy realised that many bookkeepers had the same struggles, experiences and often felt isolated in their business. Whether trying to communicate with a difficult client or set boundaries many felt undervalued and overwhelmed.

When Amy started The Bookkeepers Voice Podcast, she wanted a way for colleagues in the Bookkeeping industry to feel less isolated, more connected and know they were not alone. Through sharing real experiences of what it’s like running a small bookkeeping practice, and teaching of topics of interest, Amy makes you think, laugh and know you’re not alone.

In this episode, Amy tells her story of how she lost her Voice: literally. On 8 December 2022, she was heading to South Gippsland with her two sons and husband Will, to visit her dad for the weekend. But less than 30 mins into the trip, Amy felt unwell and became unable to speak normally (Aphasia). Will called an Ambulance and Amy was taken to hospital to be assessed for a stroke. Instead, she was Diagnosed with functional neurological disorder, a condition where there is a disruption between the brain and a function of the body. 
ironically, the disruption occurred between the one function that forms the basis in the foundation for the work Amy most loves to do - speaking, encouraging, telling stories, teaching and training, and giving Bookkeepers running businesses, a voice.

Amy recorded this episode about a week after she came home from hospital, and although she had made a great deal of progress in recovering her voice, but the voice you will hear this episode isnot the one you are used to hearing. Since this episode was recorded, Amy’s voice improved but she has since had five further relapses of Aphasia.

Amy is currently taking some time off work to recover, and to decide on a future direction that will take into consideration, her reduced work capacity. At this stage, the future of the Bookkeepers voice podcast, and The Savvy Bookkeeper is unknown. But we will post an update as soon as possible.

Amy would like to express her gratitude to podcast listeners, and savvy members. You have given Amy a sense of purpose and joy in business. We ask that you would lift Amy and her young family up in prayer, and for healing and protection over Amy’s voice, and for Savvy, a business Amy worked so hard to build. That it would not be wasted or destroyed.

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