How AI Helped Me Find My Voice Again

Introduction

Living with Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s has changed a lot about how I function day to day. One of the biggest losses for me has been my ability to organize my thoughts and get them down in writing. I used to enjoy writing—it helped me process, express myself, and stay connected with others. But over time, that process became harder and harder.

Typing is physically difficult now because of tremors, and I can no longer think in long, flowing paragraphs. My thoughts come in short bursts, and even trying to outline something on the computer feels overwhelming. Voice‑to‑text tools like Siri didn’t help much either. They required so much cleanup that I ended up giving up more often than not. For a while, I just stopped trying to write.

That changed when I discovered two AI tools—Letterly and ChatGPT. What started as curiosity from watching some YouTube videos turned into a surprising new way to connect with my thoughts and re‑engage with writing. These tools didn’t just help me “type”—they helped me think, organize, and share again.

Losing the Ability to Write

Before I started using AI tools, writing had become a real struggle. I still had things I wanted to say—thoughts, reflections, little stories—but I couldn’t get them down quickly or easily. My Parkinson’s tremors made typing really hard, and the more I tried, the more frustrated I became.

I thought maybe I could use voice‑to‑text to work around the typing. I tried Siri, but it just didn’t work well for me. The tool would jumble things, and I’d have to go back and edit so much that it made the whole process exhausting. Editing used to be something I enjoyed. But now, with less stamina and focus, it’s too mentally draining.

Over time, I found that I could only think in short snippets. I couldn’t hold long trains of thought or figure out how to piece them together. Even something as simple as creating a paragraph started to feel out of reach. Outlining was completely off the table. The harder I tried, the more discouraged I felt—like writing, something that used to be part of who I am, was slipping away.

Discovering AI Tools

I didn’t go looking for AI tools on purpose. It actually started because I couldn’t watch full movies or even TV shows anymore—my attention just doesn’t last that long now. So I turned to YouTube, where I could watch short videos and take in information a little at a time.

That’s where I started seeing video shorts about artificial intelligence. I remembered trying ChatGPT a few years back, but it didn’t click for me then. Still, things had changed. The videos were showing how much AI had evolved, and it sparked my curiosity.

I started watching more and more, just five or ten minutes at a time, because that’s all I could manage. Slowly, I started to understand how some of these tools worked. That’s how I found Letterly—an app that seemed designed for people like me. It had great reviews, and best of all, it was free. So I thought, why not?

While learning about Letterly, ChatGPT kept popping up too. Some of the YouTubers I followed were saying how much it helped them streamline their work. That’s when I decided to give it another try—this time with fresh eyes and a real need for support.

My First Breakthrough

The first time I really felt a shift was when I used Letterly to transcribe a few thoughts. I don’t even remember what the topic was—it didn’t matter. What mattered was how easy it was to get my spoken words into clean, readable text. I clicked a few buttons, and it removed all the “ums” and pauses. Then, with one tap, it turned my words into a message… then an email… then a Facebook post—with hashtags and everything. I was amazed.

I started to see possibilities. I could dictate freely without worrying about my speech being messy or incomplete. The app cleaned it all up and let me choose how to shape it. One time, I dictated a short piece about using AI to help me communicate—and turned it into a Facebook post. I put it up, and people responded really positively. That felt incredible. It wasn’t just that I got something written. I felt heard. Understood.

Then I copied that same text into ChatGPT. I asked it to help me shape it like a blog post. Because it had access to examples of my past writing, it could match my tone and style. From there, it helped me pull quotes, generate images, and organize my ideas. I wasn’t just writing again—I was creating. That was the moment I knew I had found a way back into the writing process.

How My Process Works Now

These days, my writing process looks very different—but it works. I start by using Letterly to dictate whatever’s on my mind. I don’t worry about making it perfect. I just speak in short bursts, however the thoughts come. Then Letterly transcribes it and cleans it up—removing fillers, fixing grammar, and turning it into something I can work with.

After that, I copy the cleaned‑up version into ChatGPT. That’s where the real magic happens. I ask it to help me organize my thoughts, match the tone I’ve used in past blogs, and structure everything into a readable piece. If there are parts I want to change, I just say so, and it adjusts without any fuss.

ChatGPT can even help generate images or find the right quote to go with what I’ve written. It’s like working with a partner—one that doesn’t get tired, doesn’t interrupt, and has infinite patience.

This new process has taken a huge weight off my shoulders. I don’t have to wrestle with the keyboard or try to force my thoughts into paragraphs. I can just speak, review, and refine. It’s not the way I used to write, but it works for me now. And best of all, it feels like my voice is still in there—just a little more supported.

Advice for Getting Started

If you’re thinking about trying AI tools but feel nervous or unsure, I get it. It can feel overwhelming at first—like you’re handing over control to a computer. That fear is valid. But for me, it hasn’t been about losing control. It’s been about gaining access—to my own thoughts, my creativity, and my ability to share again.

My best advice? Start small. Don’t try to learn it all at once. I couldn’t read long instructions anymore, so I turned to YouTube. Watching people demonstrate the tools—actually seeing them click buttons—was what helped me most. I’d rewatch those videos five or six times until it started to make sense. Some creators were even kind enough to reply when I reached out with questions. That kind of support really helped.

I started with Letterly, just playing with it. Dictating short thoughts, seeing what it could do. Once I was comfortable, I moved on to ChatGPT. I didn’t try to master it—just had a conversation with it. Asked it to help shape my Letterly drafts. That small step turned into something much bigger.

Final Thoughts

AI tools aren’t just for businesses or tech‑savvy people. They can be a lifeline for anyone struggling to think clearly, type easily, or organize thoughts. Whether you want to post on Facebook, write a journal entry, or just feel like yourself again—this technology can help.

There’s nothing to lose by trying. And there’s so much to gain—especially when it comes to creativity, communication, and connection.

I never thought I’d be writing again—not like this. I had nearly given up on expressing myself in the ways that used to bring me joy. But AI tools like Letterly and ChatGPT have changed that. They haven’t fixed everything, but they’ve made it possible for me to keep creating, sharing, and feeling like I still have a voice.

This technology isn’t just about efficiency or productivity. It’s about possibility. It’s about finding ways to stay connected to who we are, even when our abilities shift. For me, these tools have become part of how I live with Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s—not just cope, but create.

If you’re someone who’s struggling with writing, organizing your thoughts, or just staying connected with others—maybe this path could work for you, too. You don’t have to do it all at once. Start small, be curious, and let these tools support you the way they’ve supported me.

Because our stories still matter. And it feels good to tell them.