THE KENNEDY’S LONG-STANDING HEALTH ENEMY

Dear Deep-Thinkers,

I'm a big fan of Robert Kennedy and some of his books. Robert F. Kennedy was a prominent American politician and attorney who served as the United States Attorney General from 1961 to 1964 and later as a US Senator from New York from 1965 until his assassination in 1968.

One of the fascinating things about Robert F. Kennedy was his dedication to social justice and civil rights. He was a close advisor to his brother, President John F. Kennedy, and was crucial in advancing the civil rights movement during the 1960s. Kennedy was known for his passionate and forceful advocacy for the rights of African Americans, and he was deeply committed to ending racial discrimination in all its forms. 

The most motivating thing about Robert F. Kennedy's life was his personal transformation. He began his career as a staunch anti-communist and conservative, but over time he became more liberal and progressive in his views, which drew me to him. Kennedy's evolution on issues such as civil rights, poverty, and the Vietnam War was emblematic of the more extensive social and political changes taking place in the United States during the 1960s.

So recently, I was listening to his son, Kennedy jr, pre-campaign speech on uniting the US and ending hegemonic activities throughout the world, stopping waging wars and color revolutions. Fix the broken healthcare system, which I personally believe was broken by Obamacare.

A pretty controversial individual, Robert Kennedy Jr. (born January 17, 1954) is an American environmental attorney, author, and activist. He is the third of eleven children of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Skakel Kennedy. Kennedy is best known for his environmental activism, particularly in the areas of water quality, wildlife protection, and climate change. He is the president of the Waterkeeper Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the world's waterways. He has served as a senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Apparently, he's running for the presidential pole in 2024, and I couldn't help but notice some spasms in his voice and how it was pretty difficult to hear what he was saying. Further research and I discovered he suffers from a speech impairment called Spasmodic Dysphonia.

Spasmodic dysphonia (SD) is a neurological disorder that affects the muscles involved in speech production, specifically the laryngeal muscles. It is characterized by involuntary spasms or contractions of the vocal cords, which can cause a person's voice to break or become strained or breathy.

The symptoms of spasmodic dysphonia can vary in severity and may be exacerbated by stress or anxiety. It can be classified into three types: adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD), abductor spasmodic dysphonia (ABSD), and mixed spasmodic dysphonia (MSD).

In ADSD, the vocal cords close together during a speech, resulting in a strained or choked voice. In ABSD, the vocal lines open too much during the speech, resulting in a breathy or weak voice. MSD involves a combination of both adductor and abductor spasms.

The exact cause of spasmodic dysphonia is not well understood. Still, it is believed to be related to abnormalities in the basal ganglia, a group of brain structures involved in movement control. The condition has no cure, but treatment options such as speech therapy, Botox injections, and surgery can help manage the symptoms and improve speech quality.

Several members of the Kennedy family who have been diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia (SD). Not only Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the son of Robert F. Kennedy, has spoken publicly about his own struggles with the disorder.

In addition, Robert's sister, Jean Kennedy Smith, was also diagnosed with SD, as was their sister Rosemary Kennedy. Rosemary's SD was so severe that it was misdiagnosed as mental retardation in her youth. She underwent a lobotomy to control her behavior, ultimately leaving her permanently disabled.

While the exact cause of SD is not well understood, research suggests that there may be a genetic component to the disorder, as it can run in families. However, it is unclear whether the prevalence of SD in the Kennedy family is due to genetics or simply coincidence.

Despite the challenges posed by SD, many people with the disorder can live productive and fulfilling lives with appropriate treatment and support. Some people with SD have even gone on to become successful public speakers or performers.

Eid Mubarak to all those celebrating. Sending love to everyone!!

N/B: I feel it’s important I add that Robert Kennedy was very close to his presidential brother, JFK. They shared a beautiful bloodline. This was just a little observation I noticed quite recently and decided to write about it.