Kimberly Williams-Paisley Couldn’t Speak for Two Years Due to Vocal Cord Paralysis and Lost Acting Jobs: ‘I Felt Invisible’ and ‘Trapped in My Own Body’

As a supporter, I am deeply moved by Kimberly Williams-Paisley‘s courage and resilience in the face of adversity. Her two-year struggle with vocal cord paralysis, which left her unable to speak louder than a whisper, is a testament to her strength and determination.

Kimberly Williams-Paisley, known for her roles in “Father of the Bride” and “According to Jim”, shared with People magazine that she was unable to speak for two years because of a condition called partial paralysis of her left vocal cord. This issue made it difficult for her to accept acting jobs. In August, she underwent surgery to address this health problem after enduring two years of feeling unnoticed. The vocal cord paralysis prevented her from speaking above a whisper, leaving her feeling confined within her own body.

On certain days, I found myself overwhelmed with sorrow and tears, questioning ‘Who am I without my ability to speak?’ as I navigated those quiet, almost silent years.” – (Paraphrased from Williams-Paisley’s quote)

In November 2022, during a yearly charity event for Alzheimer’s, Reese Witherspoon (Williams-Paisley) experienced vocal difficulties when she tried to speak into the microphone. She recalled, “I placed the mic near my mouth, but no words emerged. It was a truly frightening moment.

As a moviegoer, I initially assumed the actress might simply be in need of a soothing cup of tea to alleviate her hoarseness, yet her voice remained astonishingly silent for an extended period, withering down to mere whispers.

Williams-Paisley told People she started criticizing herself, thinking, ‘I’m not inhaling correctly, I’m neglecting my vocal skills.’ In essence, she was harshly judging herself.

After attempting various treatments like acupuncture and employing a vocal coach, Williams-Paisley found no relief. Memories of her embarrassment at the 2023 red carpet premiere of her Netflix film “Dog Gone” still linger – the noise level was overwhelming, leaving her unable to conduct interviews due to her weak voice.

She said, “I appeared weak, but that wasn’t how I felt inside.” Afterwards, she went to the bathroom and wept, and a few friends comforted her by holding her hand.

The vocal cord paralysis ended up impacting Williams-Paisley’s everyday life. As she explained: “Days when I didn’t want to do anything. Days when I was extra tired. Cycling anxiety thoughts in the middle of the night. I wouldn’t say I had clinical depression, but I was sad.”

“There was so much shame involved,” she added. “I felt invisible.”

After exploring other options, Williams-Paisley opted for surgery to restore her vocal cords. Speaking about the two-year struggle, she expressed: “I had to battle to make myself heard. Now, regardless of what my audible voice may be, the strength of my inner voice has grown. I feel more self-assured. I have a deeper understanding of myself.

With her vocal power returning, Williams-Paisley is preparing to reappear on TV as the host for the fourth season of the Fox reality dating show “Farmer Needs a Wife.” She’s stepping into the role previously held by country artist Jennifer Nettles.

Head over to People’s website to read more about Williams-Paisley’s health journey

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2024-12-18 18:46