For an epiglottis that is not functioning, the SLP gets the patient to take a sip of the fluid, then hold his breath, and then swallow. My husband was asked to do that several times during his swallow test but he could not so it (his problem is a lot of scarring as a result of radiation). I remember reading that this is a technique Brian Hill uses and it has become like second nature to him. But I can't remember where he put that post. A search may turn it up.

Gloria
She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails... Elizabeth Edwards

Wife to John,dx 10/2012, BOT, HPV+, T3N2MO, RAD 70 gy,Cisplatinx2 , PEG in Dec 6, 2012, dx dvt in both legs after second chemo session, Apr 03/13 NED, July 2013 met to lungs, Phase 1 immunotherapy trial Jan 18/14 to July/14. Taxol/carboplatin July/14. Esophagus re-opened Oct 14. PEG out April 8, 2015. Phase 2 trial of Selinexor April to July 2015. At peace Jan 15, 2016.