Amber’s Voice | Climbing Trees and Reclaiming Her Voice

ElevenLabs| 00:05:55|Apr 2, 2026

Chapters8

Amber describes a forest outing that lifted her spirits, including being hoisted into the treetops by arborists and therapists for a bird's-eye view.

Amber Neramore finds joy and connection through ALS, with a dreamlike 60-foot tree climb and a life-affirming anniversary vow spoken in her 11 Labs voice.

Summary

Amber Neramore, 51, shares how ALS reshapes her days while still letting joy in. On a sunny Hopkins Demonstration Forest day, local arborists and physical therapists hoisted her into the treetops for a bird’s-eye view, a moment that felt magical and healing. She describes the moment her 11 Labs voice first spoke a simple phrase—“You are so awesome. Thank you.”—that brought tears to her eyes and reinforced how technology can preserve voice and memory. Amber speaks candidly about her ALS diagnosis in February 2024 and the August 2023 onset of slurred speech, recounting her early communication tools: a speech app, a Boogie Board, and basic sign language, all alongside a toolbox of humor and resilience. Family remains her greatest joy, with four grandchildren—Eva (15), Elliott (9), Annabelle (9), and Karen (2)—bringing light to every day and fueling her determination to live fully. A poignant moment comes on their anniversary, when Amber reads vows aloud to her husband using her voice, declaring a life together built “hand in hand,” and promising to water and grow with him. The video blends intimate family moments, outdoor adventure, and the meaningful use of assistive technology to reclaim voice and agency in the face of ALS. ElevenLabs frames Amber’s story as both personal memoir and inspirational example of living with purpose, humor, and love.

Key Takeaways

ALS diagnosis in February 2024 frames Amber’s current reality and resilience, with an August 2023 onset of slurred speech prompting adaptive communication tools.
A 60-foot treetop ascent organized by local arborists and a physical therapist offers a powerful metaphor for rising above limitations and enjoying nature’s restorative effects.
Hearing Amber’s 11 Labs voice say a simple phrase—“You are so awesome. Thank you.”—highlights the emotional impact and identity-preserving potential of speech-tech voices.
Amber’s support network includes family, a community of Beaver Creek locals, and friends who organize meaningful experiences like the tree climb.
Early communication tools included a phone speech app, a Boogie Board, and basic sign language, illustrating a practical, incremental approach to maintaining connection.
Amber’s anniversary vows, spoken using her voice, underscore the deep emotional stakes of regaining voice and choosing to communicate love publicly.
Family-centered joy—grandchildren Eva, Elliott, Annabelle, and Karen—provides ongoing motivation to live fully despite ALS.

Who Is This For?

Essential viewing for ALS patients and families exploring assistive voice technology and creative, meaningful ways to maintain connection, joy, and love through mobility challenges.

Notable Quotes

""You are so awesome. Thank you.""

—Amber’s first emotional reaction to hearing her 11 Labs voice say a simple compliment.

""Imagine I water you and you water me. We don't drain each other, we just grow.""

—A metaphor Amber recalls reading, echoed in her marriage vows about mutual growth.

""Today for our anniversary, I want you to hear in my voice the words I couldn't speak myself.""

—Amber’s vow reading to her husband using her voice, a powerful reclaiming moment.

""To lose the ability to speak is frustrating and quite honestly heartbreaking.""

—Amber describes the emotional impact of losing speech and the value of voice technology.

Questions This Video Answers

How does Amber Neramore use the 11 Labs voice to cope with ALS?
What is Hopkins Demonstration Forest and why were arborists involved in Amber’s tree-climbing experience?
What role does assistive technology play in Amber Neramore’s daily life with ALS?
How can vows and personal rituals be meaningful for couples when one partner has ALS?
What other ways do ALS communities create empowering experiences like Amber’s tree climb?

ALSAmber Neramore11 Labs voiceAssistive technologyTree climbing therapyHopkins Demonstration ForestBeaver Creek communityGrandchildren momentsVows and marriageSpeech app and Boogie Board

Full Transcript

I am creating new memories every chance I get. I love being outside in the sunshine and I love learning new things. And boy, oh boy, ALS has me learning new things every day. Recently on a beautiful day at Hopkins Demonstration Forest, I went on a tree climbing adventure with local arborists and physical therapists. They raised us from our chairs in a sling 60 ft into the treetops for our very own bird's-eye view of the forest. It was breathtaking. And the smell, talk about feeling one with nature. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. The whole idea was organized by another local of Beaver Creek who also has ALS. [music] My name is Amber Neramore. I'm 51 [music] years old. I was diagnosed with ALS in February of 2024. To be honest, life brings me joy. I've been blessed with the ability [music] to relish in the simplest moments that make life wonderful. When my symptoms started in August of 2023 with slurred speech, I began [music] communicating with the speech app on my phone and a Boogie Board. I also [music] threw in some basic sign language and a whole bunch of bad charades. The first time I heard my 11 Labs voice say a simple phrase, my eyes immediately filled with tears. You are so awesome. Thank you. [laughter] My greatest joy is my family. We laugh so much. Even through the hard stuff, we have a way of finding the fun. I became a grandmother at the age of 36 [music] to Eva. She's 15, totally a teenager, very artistic, and has the best sense of humor. My second grandchild is Elliott. He is nine, very smart, very artistic, too, and loves [music] video games. My third grandchild is Annabelle. She is nine as well, loves to read, dance, and do cartwheels, and all girly things. And little Karen is my fourth grandchild. [music] He is two and all boy. He loves being [music] outside and has the cutest smile. Annabelle has no fear. [music] That boy takes an army. [music] Yes, he does. I think he's been the craziest grandkid so far. To lose the ability to speak is frustrating and quite honestly heartbreaking. To hear my voice when I use my device is an immeasurable gift. Not good, Benny. Are you now? No. You get to see her twice in one week. She ran the whole front of the house. And we haven't replaced her yet. Well, we miss her every day. We miss her I need [music] dance. You want me to get it? A year ago today I married you on the beach during sunset and couldn't read my vows because I couldn't speak. [music] Today for our anniversary, I want you to hear in my voice the words I couldn't speak myself. I read something once that said, "Imagine I water you and you water me. We don't drain each other, we just grow." And girl, we have from coworkers to friends, then to more than friends, and now to be husband and wife. Running a restaurant together built the foundation for us to run our life together. Lord knows we have faced some battles, but we fight them hand in hand. I thank God every day for bringing us to one another. The love we have is true and strong. You are definitely my match. Our crazy, not-so-little family that [music] we share just adds to the joy and love of us. I marry you today with all that I have knowing it is forever safe kept [music] with you. My heart, my soul, my life belongs with yours. I know our days are uncertain, but I promise to make them all the best they can be for the rest of my life. I'll water [music] you, you'll water me, and we will grow and grow and grow. Happy anniversary, baby. I love you [music] so much today and always. You just had to, huh? That was beautiful. [music] Got you. [applause] [cheering]