Actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley is sharing her harrowing experience of living with a debilitating voice disorder for two years. The Mother of the Bride star revealed in her recent People magazine cover story that she was unable to speak louder than a whisper due to a partial paralysis of her left vocal cord.
In November 2022, during a fundraiser event honoring their mother’s memory, Williams-Paisley suddenly found herself unable to speak. Initially thinking it was just a strain on her voice, she attempted self-care remedies but soon realized something more serious was amiss.
After months of trying various treatments, including acupuncture and massage, she was diagnosed with muscle tension dysphonia by the Vanderbilt Voice Center. Her neck muscles were so tight that her vocal cords were barely visible. To alleviate symptoms, Williams-Paisley underwent physical therapy and a nighttime mouthpiece to relax her muscles.
The actress eventually turned to surgery, undergoing a three-hour procedure known as medialization laryngoplasty, which corrected the partial paralysis of her left vocal cord. Her voice has since returned, but she will still experience some lingering effects, such as being unable to yell or sound slightly raspy after long conversations.
Williams-Paisley credits her newfound strength with confidence and a deeper understanding of herself. “I feel empowered now,” she says. “I never want to take my voice for granted – and I want to be brave in using it.”
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/kimberly-williams-paisley-voice-disorder-1236089483