Kimberly Williams-Paisley recently shared a story of resilience with her fans on Instagram.
The trouble began in November 2022, when Williams-Paisley lost her voice onstage at an Alzheimer’s awareness event. The incident, which she described as “embarrassing & scary,” turned out to be a result of a damaged laryngeal nerve.
To regain her voice, Williams-Paisley underwent a surgery called a laryngoplasty.
She told her fans that she was awake for the three-hour procedure and watched most of it on a monitor screen above her head. While the procedure was successful, it left a visible scar on her neck.
She described a large scar that’s “smiling at me across my neck,” and also shared a photo of the scar emblazoned with a doodle by her brother, who turned the scar into a smiley face.
Williams-Paisley is known for her role in the “Father of the Bride” movies and the television sitcom “According to Jim.”
The 52-year-old, who is married to country star Brad Paisley, said she hadn’t wanted to share the details of what she was going through before the surgery because it felt too vulnerable.
Beyond the physical challenge, the injury affected Williams-Paisley’s life in a deeper way.
“New people I’ve met thought I was a shy or reserved person,” she wrote. “I’ve felt trapped in my body.”
However, Williams-Paisley didn’t let the setback define her. She used this time to explore other ways to express herself and focus on her well-being.
“In the last two years, I’ve found power in using my voice in new ways,” she said. “I’ve healed old emotional wounds. I’ve learned the strength and beauty of silence.” She explained that she discovered meditation and physical endurance exercises in order to manage stress.
The positive impact went beyond the emotional. Williams-Paisley reported feeling “more whole, empowered & joyful” overall.
“Recovery is on track and I’m feeling really good,” she wrote. “You reminded me of the power of authenticity, vulnerability and hope.”
