In a brand new cowl story for PEOPLE, The Father of the Bride detailed almost dropping her talking voice utterly — solely in a position to communicate at a whisper — for 2 complete years as docs labored to find the underlying trigger.

“I felt trapped in my very own physique,” Kimberly informed PEOPLE. “There was a lot disgrace concerned. I felt invisible.”

The 53-year-old actress, who share sons Huck, 17, and Jasper, 15, with husband Brad Paisely, mentioned that the difficulties together with her voice started within the fall of 2022 after she discovered herself unable to talk whereas internet hosting an occasion alongside her sister Ashley Williams.

“I put the mic to my mouth, and nothing got here out,” she remembered, calling it “terrifying.”

And on the premiere of her movie Canine Gone in January 2023, she realized the noise on the carpet was too loud for her to do interviews.

“I sounded weak, and it isn’t how I felt,” Kimberly defined. “I went into the toilet and cried, and a few associates held my hand.”

As time went on, Kimberly’s confidence waned and her psychological well being took a success, particularly as she started to marvel if she had executed one thing to trigger the problem.

“Days after I didn’t wish to do something,” Kimberly recalled. “Days after I was additional drained. Biking anxiousness ideas in the course of the evening. I would not say I had medical despair, however I used to be unhappy.”

It took months of trial and error with a handful of remedies, together with acupuncture and therapeutic massage, earlier than Kimberly paid a go to to the Vanderbilt Voice Middle in early 2023, the place she lastly started to get some solutions.

Docs identified Kimberly with muscle pressure dysphonia after realizing her neck muscle tissue had been so tight, her vocal cords had been virtually invisible. A slew of medical appointments and experiments with holistic remedies then adopted, together with antidepressants, braces, a vegan food regimen, hypnosis and dealing with a psychic — however all to no avail.

And whereas she had the assist of her youngsters and husband, Kimberly mentioned she slowly began to retreat socially, as she struggled together with her incapacity to correctly talk.

“I like dinner events and being round folks, however I did not wish to exit,” she mentioned. “I could not be part of the dialog. There have been days after I grieved and sobbed. I puzzled, ‘Who am I with out my voice?’”

It wasn’t until over a 12 months into docs visits and vocal remedy that Kimberly found the basis explanation for her disappearing voice: her left vocal wire was paralyzed, which means it wasn’t assembly the appropriate.

“As soon as I bought that analysis, my physique may loosen up in an entire new manner,” Kimberly recounted. “The disgrace and blame dissipated. It was largely a technical difficulty, not one thing I did incorrect.”

After receiving the analysis, Kimberly underwent surgical procedure in August, and her voice got here again virtually instantly.

“I could not imagine it was true,” the In line with Jim alum added. “I nonetheless can’t yell down the highway. And on the finish of a protracted day of speaking, I will sound a little bit extra raspy than I used to, however I believe that is attractive. And I’ve realized that whenever you speak quieter, folks lean in, which isn’t dangerous both.”

Wanting again on the ordeal, Kimberly mentioned she’s in a position to acknowledge the methods during which reconnecting together with her bodily voice helped her metaphorical voice, too.

“I needed to combat to be heard,” Kimberly defined. “Now, it doesn’t matter what my bodily voice is, my voice beneath is stronger. I really feel extra assured. I do know myself higher.”

“I really feel empowered now,” she added. “I do not wish to depart issues unsaid. I by no means wish to take my voice without any consideration — and I wish to be courageous in utilizing it.”