Kimberly Williams-Paisley recently revealed in a social media post that she’s recovering after a “scary” incident forced her silence.
The actor, who’s married to country music star Brad Paisley, says she felt “trapped” in her body and after two years of “self-loathing,” she decided to share her experience with the world.
Keep reading to learn how this actor is braving through a personal health scare!
In mid-August, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, 52, shared a worrisome social media post, explaining that after appearing onstage at an Alzheimer’s event in Nashville “almost two years ago,” she lost her voice and it “never quite came back”
“I’ve been going through a thing…It was embarrassing & scary,” the Hallmark actor writes in the August 17 Instagram post, which explains what happened at the Nashville event.
Williams-Paisley and her sister Ashley have been Alzheimer’s advocates since their late mother Linda was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia (the same condition that ails Bruce Willis).
Linda died in 2016, months after The Father of the Bride released her book “Where the Light Gets In,” which tells the story of her mom’s journey with the illness.
‘Badass scar’
In her post, the How to Eat Fried Worms star shares that after struggling with her voice for nearly two years, she had surgery to repair damage to her laryngeal nerve.
“It’s been a challenging couple of years, but we finally got to the bottom of it,” she writes in the caption of the post that includes a carousel of photos showing her lying in a hospital bed, one where she’s seen with a large scar on her neck.
She also warns users about the scar photo, which features a smiley face of the scar sipping a cocktail that her “brother” inked “on top of the image.”
“I have a badass scar that’s smiling at me across my neck,” she starts. “I haven’t wanted to share about this much until now because it felt too vulnerable. I took for granted my ability to “use my voice” before – for my career, for a good cause, for a timely joke, for SELF-EXPRESSION, for a loud dinner party. Instead, I’ve been the quietest in the room. I’ve felt meek. New people I’ve met thought I was a shy or reserved person. I’ve felt trapped in my body.”
She adds, “I’ve been through shame & self-loathing.”
Further explaining the three-hour “laryngoplasty to plump” her “paralyzed vocal cord,” Williams-Paisley says she was awake and “watched a lot of it on a video screen” above her head “as it happened.”
“All I can say is MODERN MEDICINE IS MIRACULOUS.”
The We Are Marshall star continues, “In the last two years, I’ve found power in using my voice in new ways.”
She concludes her message saying “Was losing my voice worth it? Mm, not exactly. Was it worthless? Not for a second.”
‘Warrior’
Offering their love and support, family and celebrity friends jumped into the comments section with their best wishes.
Ashley writes, “I have witnessed first-hand the daily strength of my sister through this journey and you all: WHAT. A SHOW. I am right in the front row, clapping and screaming.”
“This will be a great new chapter. Also I will miss the silence,” jokes her husband Brad, whom she shares sons William “Huck” (born 2007) and Jasper (born 2009).
Grammy Award-winning artist Sheryl Crow offers, “You are my hero! Through all of this you have taught me about holding your power without raising your voice.” The “Soak up the Sun” singer continues, “Thank you for sharing this experience with all of us! You are a fierce mother warrior!”
“You are a Warrior-Goddess. No other way to say it. Oh…and scars are sexy. Sending big love,” writes actor Helen Hunt.
Actor Tracy Pollan, wife of Michael J. Fox, shares, “Thinking of you and a speedy recovery!”
And Many Moore, the star of This is Us, writes, “Sending you all the love and healing, Kim. What a pillar of strength. Glad you’re on the mend!!”
‘So brave’
Meanwhile, fans also filled her comments section with loving wishes, some even sharing their own experiences.
One user explains that she’s lived with a paralyzed right vocal cord since 2010 and applauds the actor’s courage: “I can relate to what you’re going through! I’ve always been afraid to consider surgery. You are so brave!!”
Another writes, “You are beautiful and your scar has a story to share. Thank you for being vulnerable.”
