A renowned politician and lawyer, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is also known as RFK Jr., has amassed significant attention on social media platforms as he contests the 2024 presidential elections in the U.S. Amid this chatter, RFK Jr.’s health problems have become a major topic of discussion among people on the internet.
Here is the information about all the problems surrounding RFK Jr.’s speaking voice, causing him to have a raspy tone.
Why does Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s voice sound different?
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a distinct speaking voice due to spasmodic dysphonia.
According to The Conversation, this neurological condition causes the vocal cords to produce a more strained voice and makes them stiff, affecting a person’s ability to speak smoothly. Although there is no cure, people diagnosed with this disease can receive Botox injections at intervals to get short-term relief.
RFK Jr. has discussed his health problem in a snippet for his presidential campaign. Describing his struggles with spasmodic dysphonia, RFK Jr. told MedPage Today, “It is a kind of interesting presentation of hoarseness — a kind of a staccato way of speaking, like with very pointed syllables — and it’s often because they’re having difficulty controlling the way that they’re speaking and it comes off as a strained and strangled sound.”
As per the Los Angeles Times, RFK Jr. addressed his health problems in an interview, saying he feels “sorry for the people who have to listen” to him. He added, “My voice doesn’t really get tired. It just sounds terrible. But the injury is neurological, so actually the more I use the voice the stronger it tends to get.”
Despite this challenge, he continues to speak publicly and advocate for his causes. His ongoing efforts in the face of this condition highlight his dedication to his political and social endeavors.