'The voice that I have.' Tinton Falls mayor opens up on vocal disorder and advocacy
Mayor Risa Clay noticed 18 years ago that she was losing her voice too often.
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Newly appointed Tinton Falls Mayor Risa Clay has always found herself in public-facing roles. But the former school principal has a rare vocal disorder that can make public speaking a challenge.
Clay noticed 18 years ago that she was losing her voice too often. She was quickly diagnosed with laryngeal dystonia, a condition where the vocal muscles are prone to spasm.
It’s a neurological disorder, not a throat condition. Clay says it doesn’t hurt to speak. Although treatments ranging from Botox injections to acupuncture and exercise can help, there is no clear cause, or cure.
“I’ve always been the kind of person that, I never wanted to let anything hold me back,” Clay said. “I’ll just tell someone, ‘Hey, listen, I have a vocal cord situation, and I’m not having the best voice day. Can you work with me?’”
Clay is involved in advocacy groups. Her local “Walk for Talk” team has raised $30,000, matched dollar-for-dollar by Dysphonia International, to fund new studies.
“We talk about dystonia and other voice conditions as an invisible disability,” Clay said. “It’s just important not to pass judgment on something before you know."
World Voice Day, an annual day of awareness, is coming up on April 16. The nationwide “Walk for Talk” fundraiser is scheduled for Oct. 16 to 19.
“Your voice isn’t going to be what defines you," Clay said. "I choose to go with the voice that I have.”
