Margaret Donaker

Professional, knowledgeable, caring, are just a few words to describe Maggie Donaker! She patiently gave me the best knowledge of testing for my swallow problem and severe chronic cough and treatment. How rare to find this in the frustrating medical world!!!

Wanted to share my husbands experience with Maggie Donaker, he was diagnosed with dysphasia and acid reflux, along with a hiatal hernia. He had a really hard time swallowing and bad anxiety because of the situation. He was on a liquid diet for a few months not by choice. But too scared to swallow, felt like food was getting stuck in his throat. Finally we met Maggie and she is amazing. Really gave him the confidence and drive to make it through his situation. she really listens and is really experienced in her field. I highly recommend Maggie, and in our case she was truly a blessing.

Many years ago, I worked on Madison Avenue for several top advertising agencies. I thought I was doing well, when one meeting I had to present all my results to a room full of executives. My hands were shaking and my knees too. My Powerpoint presentation was correct, but I’m not a numbers person, so I didn’t speak confidently..
My boss called me the next morning to tell me he enrolled me in a presentation skills workshop. 12 weeks later I was a new woman. I volunteered to deliver speeches and was asked often to speak at companies about my marketing techniques. I wrote a book, Response! The Complete Guide To Profitable Direct Marketing, and six others.
Companies called my publisher from all over the world, to do seminars for their employees. I did them and it was very lucrative for me, and I loved teaching people.

Then the worst happened, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.

I had just moved to Florida to be with my cousins, one of whom was suffering with Parkinson’s. I visited him often and soon he was having a hard time speaking. His voice got weaker and weaker and eventually he didn’t speak at all .I had just moved here and wanted to meet new friends, run for office in my condo work for charities.

All of that seemed hopeless and I told my doctor. He said he’d just met a speech pathologist and gave me her card. I called Maggie Donaker and she made an appointment to meet me right away.

She was so kind and had a lovely demeanor. She said she could improve the quality of my voice.
Improve my ability be understood and strengthen my vocal chords. When my voice was hoarse and froggy.

Also she wanted to do a fiberoptic evaluation of my swallowing. I had thought incorrectly that my swallowing was a problem. I coughed and I couldn’t swallow pills easily. So, one day she came to my apartment with Dr. Eric Blicker (well-known in this field) . Maggie performed the procedure, she passed a thin, flexible instrument through my nose and reviews parts of my throat as I swallowed. I watched the whole procedure on a screen. It was all explained to me that my throat is okay. I was glad they looked at it though.

So that’s my review of an exemplary speech therapist. She helped me speak with intent, and now that I can be heard I have quite a few friends.

Maggie Donaker is an amazing speech therapist. She made my whole life better. And ,if you give her a call, tell her Lois sent you.