For most of my career, I was known as a lecturer, debater, and public speaker. After experiencing speech difficulties, I was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech (PPAOS) in 2025, a rare progressive neurological condition that affects the brain’s ability to coordinate speech.
The diagnosis has changed many aspects of my professional and personal life, including my ability to communicate in the ways that once came naturally. While the condition is progressive, I remain active through writing, scholarship, and advocacy. I now rely on AI voice-cloning technology in my classes and public talks.
Today, I focus on the work that matters most to me: writing, spending time with family and friends, and continuing to engage with the ideas that have shaped my career. My writing remains unaffected, and I try to approach the future with curiosity, gratitude, and hope. I’ve written about my condition for People magazine: