Barry,

As a large company it sounds like the legal department was proving their worth and you just received a letter that usually triggers some type of action in the future. Maybe that's the time frame when you have to change your status from short term to long term. We did this at several companies I worked for.

I have been looking at "assistive devices" and "reasonable accommodation" for a while. First, your speech will progress and just a date out there isn't intended to intimidate just inform you, in my opinion. There are several personal amplification systems with a price range of approx $120-$500. They are considered "reasonable accommodation" as well. Some have more sophisticated microphones you attach to your throat even. The higher the cost, the better the sound quality. By staying in front of the questions you might have less stress about it.

Of course, they are getting some legal holes closed since they are giving a definite time. They have already established you can only perform 75% (30/40 hrs). Maybe start looking at possible transfers within the company. Your internal knowledge of how the company operates has significant value. Maybe not being able to do the same job can be a good thing longer term.

Best wishes for fast healing.

Ed