Rep. Wexton who lost ability to speak delivers speech with AI

Jul 26

Ray Bogan Political Correspondent

By Ray Bogan (Political Correspondent), Ben Ray (Video Editor)

Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-Va., lost her ability to speak within the last year due to Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) but she is now able to use her own voice again. On Thursday, July 25, she gave a speech on the House floor, but it was different — it was played with artificial intelligence (AI).

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When Wexton won her seat in 2018, she was all smiles and applause. She cast her ballot in the 2020 election with no visible issues.

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Wexton first announced she had Parkinson’s in April 2023.

On #WorldParkinsonsDay, I'm here to share that I've been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.

I'm doing well, and I want to bring about as much good from this diagnosis as I can—including here in Congress. pic.twitter.com/bvEwzZQbqp
— Rep. Jennifer Wexton (@RepWexton) April 11, 2023

“I’m doing well,” Wexton said in her first announcement. “I’ve got a positive attitude and have the strong support of so many family, friends and loved ones.”

She then discovered she had progressive supranuclear palsy, which she describes as “Parkinson’s on steroids.” She began delivering speeches using AI in May.

Your ears aren’t deceiving you—AI has allowed me to make a new model of my voice like it was before my PSP.

I hope this helps show creative ways we can empower people facing the kinds of health and accessibility challenges I have and demonstrate our abilities don’t define us. pic.twitter.com/ztXDjCgi63
— Rep. Jennifer Wexton (@RepWexton) July 10, 2024

During her most recent address, Wexton explained her new challenges and those yet to come.

“Rather than striding confidently onto the House floor to vote, I gratefully accept rides across Independence Avenue, and yes I get the irony, from my office to the Capitol,” Wexton said. “I rely on a walker to get around, and in all likelihood, before my term ends I will appear on the House floor for votes in a wheelchair.”

Wexton is not running for reelection, so she will end her tenure in Congress in January. She said she’s determined to use her platform for the millions of Americans who have conditions that make it harder for them to move, speak or otherwise function in their everyday lives. She’s also working hard to stay positive.

“I used to be one of those people who hated the sound of my voice,” Wexton said in her speech Thursday. “When my ads came on TV, I would cringe and change the channel. But you truly don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. Because hearing the new AI of my old voice for the first time was music to my ears. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard, and I cried tears of joy.”

Tags: AI, Artificial Intelligence, House of Representatives, U.S. Congress

Jennifer Wexton

“Mr. Speaker I rise today to recognize disability pride month.”

RAY BOGAN

That’s Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton’s real voice. It’s being played with AI.

Wexton lost her ability to speak in just the last year due to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

The disease has progressed rapidly. When she won her seat in 2018, she was all smiles and applause. She cast her ballot in the 2020 election with no visible issues.

She first announced she had Parkinsons in April 2023.

Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-VA:

“I’m doing well. I’ve got a positive attitude and have the strong support of so many family, friends and loved ones. “

RAY BOGAN

She then discovered she had Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, or PSP, which she describes as Parkinsons on steroids. She began delivering speeches using AI in May.

During her most recent address, Wexton explained her new challenges and those yet to come.

Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-VA:

“Rather than striding confidently onto the House floor to vote, I gratefully accept rides across Independence Avenue, and yes, I get the irony from my office to the Capitol. I rely on a walker to get around, and in all likelihood, before my term ends, I will appear on the House floor for votes in a wheelchair.”

RAY BOGAN

Wexton is not running for reelection so she will end her tenure in Congress in January. But she says she’s determined to use her platform for the millions of Americans who have conditions that make it harder for them to move, speak or otherwise function in their everyday lives. She’s also working hard to stay positive.

Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-VA:

“I used to be one of those people who hated the sound of my voice. When my ads came on TV, I would cringe and change the channel, but you truly don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone, because hearing the new AI of my old voice for the first time was music to my ears. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard, and I cried tears of joy. “

RAY BOGAN

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