Bjorn Formosa On Losing His Voice To ALS

Apr 29 2024

ALS activist Bjorn Formosa took to social media to open up about the motor neurone disease taking away his voice, writing: ‘I can’t speak no more!’

‘People can’t hear me and some of those who can will act as they can’t understand what I want to say.’

‘Losing my voice is a new acquired disability that has put me in a very difficult situation. It has put me out of the conversation and in a tough position to impose myself and share my ideas.’

Describing ALS as the worst of the worst, as it takes everything away, Bjorn is still show incredible motivation, writing: ‘Silently, I will shout louder than I ever had!’

‘I will continue to be a beacon of light for those who are struggling alone and continue working to open fundamental facilities for those who are in desperate need and can’t have their voices heard. I can hear you loud and clear!’

This comes ahead of a fund-raising event on 22nd of September, as the community raises funds for Dar Bjorn Respite – another state of the art project for the Maltese neurological community.

‘Nibqgħu naħdmu sal-aħħar nifs’.

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Understanding Why We Dislike the Sound of Our Own Voice on Recordings

Apr 28 2024

Have you ever recoiled at the sound of your own voice on a recording, wondering if that was really how you sounded? You’re not alone. Thanks to platforms like TikTok, many of us have come to realize that we share this universal experience of feeling uneasy about the sound of our own voices. But why does this happen?

According to Ashish Shah, an audiologist at The Hearing Care Partnership, there’s a scientific explanation behind it. When we speak, we hear our voices in two ways: externally through air conduction and internally through bone conduction. The latter transfers lower frequencies that air-conducted sound does not, giving our voices a deeper tone that we’re accustomed to hearing.

However, when others hear us speak, they only perceive our voices through air-conducted sound, resulting in a higher pitch. The same applies when we listen to recordings of our voices; without the bone-conducted sound, we hear ourselves differently than we’re used to.

Shah explains, “When we hear our voices through a recording, we do not have the bone-conducted sound to add the lower frequencies, so we hear ourselves in a way that we are not used to hearing. And this is why we often find people saying they dislike the sound of their voice when they hear it played back to them.”

Interestingly, research has shown that when people listen to recordings of their own voices without knowing it’s theirs, they rate it higher in attractiveness. Shah adds, “Generally, we don’t analyse the voices of others, so you can almost guarantee that people are not analysing yours.”

In essence, our discomfort with our recorded voices stems from the discrepancy between how we perceive ourselves and how we sound to others. While we may cringe upon hearing our own voice, it’s important to remember that others hear us differently, and our self-judgment is often based on unfamiliarity rather than objective sound quality.

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Clean Malta Urges For More Care Following Kordin Roundabout Damage

Apr 28 2024

In response to the recent damage to the Kordin roundabout, authorities are emphasizing the need for collective action and responsibility to safeguard Malta’s public spaces. The incident, attributed to either accidents or negligence, highlights the importance of community collaboration in maintaining environmental integrity.

Local officials stress the significance of everyone’s involvement in addressing such issues, urging citizens to actively participate in finding solutions rather than assigning blame.

“The well-being of our country and its surroundings depends on our collective efforts,” said a spokesperson from the environmental department.

In a bid to tackle the problem effectively, authorities have launched a campaign encouraging citizens to communicate directly through the CLEAN and UPKEEP app or by contacting the Customer Care Unit. The app allows users to report concerns, providing pin location details for quick resolution.

“We want to encourage everyone to be proactive in preserving the beauty and safety of Malta,” the spokesperson added.

The initiative underscores the importance of a united front in ensuring a cleaner and safer environment for all residents. To learn more about the campaign and how to get involved, visit cleanandupkeep.gov.mt or call the Customer Care Unit at 1718.

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Citizens and Moviment Graffiti Launch Il-Bankini taċ-Ċittadini Campaign Against Commercial Takeover

Apr 28 2024

In a unified stance against the encroachment of public spaces by commercial interests, activists from various groups joined forces yesterday to launch the Il-Bankini taċ-Ċittadini campaign. The collaboration included Moviment Graffiti , FAA, and several residents’ associations such as the Sliema Residents Association, Valletta Residents, Marsascala Residents Network, Mellieħa Residents, San Pawl il-Baħar Residents, and Azzjoni Tuna Artna Lura – Kottonera.

During the press conference held to inaugurate the campaign, residents and activists highlighted the significant challenges faced in numerous localities across Malta and Gozo due to the unchecked spread of commercial ventures onto public land. They emphasized the urgent need for action to safeguard the interests of common citizens against the dominance of private interests, which are rapidly consuming open spaces.

The root of the issue, as voiced by the coalition, lies in the failure of authorities, particularly the Planning Authority, the Lands Authority, and the Malta Tourism Authority, to prioritize public well-being over business interests. They accused these bodies of facilitating abuse rather than upholding the law.

Presenting a comprehensive policy document during the conference, activists and residents outlined a series of demands and proposals aimed at addressing the situation. These demands include:

Review of Legislation: The current policy on Outside Development Zones (OCAs) needs to be revised, strengthened, and enforced to prevent further encroachments.
Release of Information: There must be transparency in the process of granting permits, particularly by the Lands Authority, to ensure accountability.
Right of Action: Introduce a right of action, allowing any person to sue for the revocation of encroachments granted if permit conditions are breached.

The coalition stressed that failure to address these demands would only escalate their efforts, with more residents coming together to assert their rights.

This collective action reflects growing frustration among citizens who feel marginalized by the unchecked expansion of commercial interests into public spaces. It underscores the pressing need for authorities to prioritize the well-being of residents and the preservation of communal areas over unchecked development.

Speaking at the conference, representatives reiterated their determination to fight for their rights, signaling that they would not back down until their demands are met. The Il-Bankini taċ-Ċittadini campaign marks a significant step towards reclaiming public spaces for the benefit of all citizens.