# Did Diane Rehm (NPR) have a stroke or something? Speech is ...odd. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 13, 2007, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-diane-rehm-npr-have-a-stroke-or-something-speech-is-odd/392032 "2007-02-13T17:37:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2007, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-diane-rehm-npr-have-a-stroke-or-something-speech-is-odd/392032/1 "2007-02-13T17:37:51Z")
I have been a long time listener of NPR in all it’s facets…I have wondered for a long time if Diane Rehm’s manner of speech is due to a stroke or some other malady? She speaks like she is either very elderly, or having strained speech…Anyone know why? ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2007, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-diane-rehm-npr-have-a-stroke-or-something-speech-is-odd/392032/2 "2007-02-13T17:40:12Z")
Spasmodic Dysphonia. It was a while ago though - most people have gotten used to her “new” voice and can barely remember the old one. [Here’s a cite.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/features/daily/rehm0823.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2007, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-diane-rehm-npr-have-a-stroke-or-something-speech-is-odd/392032/3 "2007-02-13T17:49:58Z")
Here’s a bio from her [NPR site.](http://www.wamu.org/programs/dr/diane_rehm/) In relevant part: > [@](#): > > In 1998, her career nearly came to a halt because of a mysterious speech problem. She took a leave of absence from the show and saw specialist after specialist until, finally, she was diagnosed and treated for spasmodic dysphonia, a neurological disorder. Not one to be defeated, she returned to the show and made a point of bringing attention to the condition. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2007, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-diane-rehm-npr-have-a-stroke-or-something-speech-is-odd/392032/4 "2007-02-13T17:57:49Z")
[QUOTE=Doctor Who] [Here’s a cite.](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/features/daily/rehm0823.htm) [/QUOTE] Wow. I had no idea things were that complex. Thanks for the link. ---
**Author:** ![Autumn\_Almanac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d26b3c/32.png) [@Autumn\_Almanac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autumn_Almanac)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2007, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-diane-rehm-npr-have-a-stroke-or-something-speech-is-odd/392032/5 "2007-02-13T18:07:17Z")
Wow, I remember when her voice changed, and I just attributed it to advancing age. (Seems to me she’s gotten a lot more combative over the years too.) I guess I didn’t listen often enough to notice whether the change was gradual or sudden. ---
**Author:** ![StuffLikeThatThere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc8723/32.png) [@StuffLikeThatThere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StuffLikeThatThere)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2007, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-diane-rehm-npr-have-a-stroke-or-something-speech-is-odd/392032/6 "2007-02-13T18:09:56Z")
You’re not the only one to wonder. I was totally shocked when I saw a picture of her once, as I had assumed she was much older than she is. I googled 'til I knew what was going on. She is gone at intervals for voice treatments, too, but I don’t know exactly what those entail. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2007, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-diane-rehm-npr-have-a-stroke-or-something-speech-is-odd/392032/7 "2007-02-13T18:21:33Z")
Scott Adams, the creator of Dilbert, has this condition as well. He talks about it sometimes on his blog: [http://dilbertblog.typepad.com](http://dilbertblog.typepad.com) ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2007, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-diane-rehm-npr-have-a-stroke-or-something-speech-is-odd/392032/8 "2007-02-13T18:40:19Z")
I work at an NPR station and hear Diane daily. Her condition seems to be advancing, if the promos I produce are any indication. She sounds like she’s having a bit more difficulty in getting the words out, and is speaking slower recently. I applaud her courage to continue to do what she does best, despite her situation. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2007, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-diane-rehm-npr-have-a-stroke-or-something-speech-is-odd/392032/9 "2007-02-13T21:01:56Z")
Thank you all, very informationsl stuff! I applaud her as well! ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2007, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-diane-rehm-npr-have-a-stroke-or-something-speech-is-odd/392032/10 "2007-02-13T21:37:47Z")
How long have you been listening, **Phil** , because it seems to me that Diane Rehm talks about her condition _all the time_. (Not a knock on you, a knock on her.) Yeah, you gotta have admiration for her courage and fortitude, but it seems to me that she has never been a very good interviewer – she’s way too cranky and stern-stepmotherish with callers and guests – and she has been getting worse over the years. Add that to her tendency to fawn over her friends and loved ones on the frequent occasions she invites them as her interview guests … just … just bleah. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2007, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-diane-rehm-npr-have-a-stroke-or-something-speech-is-odd/392032/11 "2007-02-13T23:00:27Z")
I haven’t noticed Diane Rehm, but I heard Daniel Schorr recently and he sounded extremely frail. Is he ill? (A cursory Google search didn’t turn up anything.) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2007, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-diane-rehm-npr-have-a-stroke-or-something-speech-is-odd/392032/12 "2007-02-13T23:26:00Z")
I admire her courage, etc., but **she has no business working in radio.** Sorry. I listen to NPR all the time, but I always change the station when her show comes on, just because I can’t stand to hear her talk. (I avoid Randi Rhodes on Air America for the same reason.) ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2007, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-diane-rehm-npr-have-a-stroke-or-something-speech-is-odd/392032/13 "2007-02-13T23:53:38Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] I admire her courage, etc., but **she has no business working in radio.** Sorry. I listen to NPR all the time, but I always change the station when her show comes on, just because I can’t stand to hear her talk. [/QUOTE] I agree, and it has nothing to do with the sound of her voice. She is a horrible interviewer/talk show host. If she could interview properly, it wouldn’t matter what her voice sounded like. ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2007, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-diane-rehm-npr-have-a-stroke-or-something-speech-is-odd/392032/14 "2007-02-14T00:32:34Z")
[QUOTE=Vinyl Turnip] I haven’t noticed Diane Rehm, but I heard Daniel Schorr recently and he sounded extremely frail. Is he ill? (A cursory Google search didn’t turn up anything.) [/QUOTE] [Daniel Schorr](http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2101143) turned 90 this year, so sounds pretty good and sharp for that advanced age. He’s had an amazing career in journalism. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2007, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-diane-rehm-npr-have-a-stroke-or-something-speech-is-odd/392032/15 "2007-02-14T01:05:21Z")
[QUOTE=acsenray] She is a horrible interviewer/talk show host. [/QUOTE] I find her to be fair and ask pertinent questions. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2007, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-diane-rehm-npr-have-a-stroke-or-something-speech-is-odd/392032/16 "2007-02-14T04:45:13Z")
[QUOTE=elelle] [Daniel Schorr](http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2101143) turned 90 this year, so sounds pretty good and sharp for that advanced age. He’s had an amazing career in journalism. [/QUOTE] I knew he was getting up there, but when I heard him recently he sounded a lot different than he did even a year or two ago—his voice sounded a lot weaker, as though he were struggling to speak. ---
**Author:** ![Autumn\_Almanac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d26b3c/32.png) [@Autumn\_Almanac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autumn_Almanac)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2007, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-diane-rehm-npr-have-a-stroke-or-something-speech-is-odd/392032/17 "2007-02-14T22:32:58Z")
[QUOTE=carnivorousplant] I find her to be fair and ask pertinent questions. [/QUOTE] I agree with **ascenray**. She may ask good questions, but she often doesn’t give guests a fair chance to respond. From what I’ve heard of her show, she can be just as aggressively rude as Bill O’Reilly when she doesn’t like what one of her guests has to say. I’ve heard her speak over guests, try to cow them with mean-spirited retorts, even go to commercial to prevent a guest from speaking their piece. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2007, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-diane-rehm-npr-have-a-stroke-or-something-speech-is-odd/392032/18 "2007-02-14T23:45:28Z")
Well, on NPR you can’t go to commercial… ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2007, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-diane-rehm-npr-have-a-stroke-or-something-speech-is-odd/392032/19 "2007-02-14T23:53:21Z")
[QUOTE=BobT] Well, on NPR you can’t go to commercial… [/QUOTE] Yeah, you can - most of the NPR shows take plenty of breaks for “station identification”, and the reading of a list of sponsor organizations. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2007, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-diane-rehm-npr-have-a-stroke-or-something-speech-is-odd/392032/20 "2007-02-15T00:23:50Z")
[QUOTE=elelle] [Daniel Schorr](http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=2101143) turned 90 this year, so sounds pretty good and sharp for that advanced age. He’s had an amazing career in journalism. [/QUOTE] I think he might have a cold this week though. His voice definitely sounds a little rougher than usual. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-diane-rehm-npr-have-a-stroke-or-something-speech-is-odd/392032.md?page=2)