Tauranga Hospital hosts special birthday celebration for Brian Albrecht

A special birthday celebration has been held at Tauranga Hospital marking the 90th birthday of Brian Albrecht. Photo/Supplied

A special birthday celebration has been held at Tauranga Hospital marking the 90th birthday of local man Brian Albrecht and honouring his many years as a volunteer supporting people who have lost their voice.

More than 25 years ago Brian had his voice box removed (Laryngectomy) due to throat cancer. Since then he has dedicated his life to educating people young and old on what they can do to stay healthy.

He has gone into classrooms and shown school children how his artificial larynx works while talking to them about the harmful realities of smoking.

Albrecht has also supported many people in the Bay of Plenty through the support group Lost Cord, which is a group for those who have also had their voice boxes removed or to help coach those who are about to lose their voice box.

He shows them how to use a speaking valve or artificial larynx.

Bay of Plenty District Health Board speech and language therapy team leader Fiona Hewerdine said Albrecht featured in training videos and posters used to support people both before and after having their voice boxed removed.

"These materials are also used to educate the public that talking in lots of different ways is still great communication. It's such a major life changing event and the work Brian has done really has made a difference. Brian we salute you," she said.

The Lost Cord support group meets in Tauranga four times a year. For more details contact Fiona Hewerdine on (07) 579 8788.