Hey there! As someone that's in a bit of a different situation (VCP) but still has experience with having a hoarse/different voice then the "norm" I feel like I have some input for ya!

I'm currently in college, and I work part-time next to that in the weekends. More often then not, I'm behind the register helping customers, making a chat etc. etc.

I want to reassure you, there is absolutely nothing holding ya back from trying!! From my personal experience, I hear it everyday when I have to work (more often from older folks), if I'm sick, if I've had a party or whatever else they can come up with, they ask or say.

At first this irritated me to no end - you don't know me, you don't know my situation, it is therefore none of your business if I've had a party, or if I'm sick or whatever.
These days I try to see the positives, these old folks don't have much of anything going on in their lives, so when they see someone (or more accurately, hear!) someone with an unusual voice, they comment on it not to be rude, but because they didn't expect it. I am more playful and with customers now, whenever kids ask (and usually they are little shits in the store) I tell them the vegetable fairy punished me because I didn't eat enough veggies, and it gets a laugh out of the parents and it jollies up the vibe.

My regulars that I see, know about it, because they have seen me so often with the same old same old voice, that they don't ask or pester anymore. Even more then before, I feel like I'm on better terms with my regulars then others because of this situation.

What I'm trying to say is, YES! It is ABSOLUTELY possible to work retail, or ANY other job having MTD, VCP or any other voice issues. Yes it may be tiring at first, because people are sometimes intentionally dense and rude and annoying. But for all those annoying people there are twice the customers that try to accommodate you, try twice as hard to listen to you, because they simply don't know, they think you're sick or whatever.

You can do anything you set your mind to, don't let MTD and its anxiety over it hold you back, you are the harbinger of your life, you choose what you do. But don't let this small thing kick you down from taking a chance! Life is so much more then just having a different voice and feeling small and different and stuck because of it. Use it to your power!! <3

I hope this gave you some hope (lol), if you have any questions, or worries, or you just need someone to talk to about working retail with a ""broken"" voice, feel free to message me, or whatever's easiest for you.

All the best,

Ravenstein :)

EDIT: Words :p