Rep. Jennifer Wexton gave her final speech in front of Congress on Tuesday before stepping down from politics due to a severe neurological disorder.
Wexton has Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a rare neurological disorder similar to Parkinson’s that impacts several impacts of life such as balance, body movements, and eye movement. The disorder has significantly impacted her ability to speak, and she now uses a computer programmed with a realistic AI version of her voice to communicate.
Wexton is a three-term Democratic congresswoman representing Virginia’s District 10, which includes Loudoun County, Fauquier County, and Manassas.
In her speech, Wexton reflected on several moments from throughout her career, from the day she saw then-Sen. Barack Obama speak and was inspired to pursue politics to her work on legislation that aimed to make Narcan more accessible, help single parents of children with disabilities, and empower sexual assault victims.
I spoke on the House floor today for the final time, sharing my gratitude for this opportunity to serve my fellow Virginians.
— Rep. Jennifer Wexton (@RepWexton) December 17, 2024
Together, we've made positive change in our community and shown there is real good to be done through public service.#VA10, I hope I've made you proud. pic.twitter.com/ssLp1Rj9Bo
She also recalled a moment during her diagnosis when she asked a doctor if she would be able to continue in politics, and he responded, “Why would you want to?”
While she says the moment was sobering, she went on to add that she still saw many reasons to continue.
“As I battled this disease which robbed me of my ability to move and speak, I wanted to make the most of my platform to bring some good out of this terrible situation,” Wexton said. “My best ideas for legislation often come from personal stories constituents share with me. Now, it was my own struggle that I hoped to help turn into meaningful change in policy.”
After her diagnosis, Wexton went on to lead the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act to become law, which she calls “the most consequential legislation ever passed to tackle Parkinson’s and related conditions like my PSP.”
“This has been a journey which has been so challenging, yet one which I am proud to have stood strong in and done my part to give hope and comfort to others facing similar battles,” Wexton said. “Our disabilities and our health struggles do not define who we are, and I feel more strongly than ever that it is so important to share that truth with the world.”
Democrat Suhas Subramanyam won the November election and will take Wexton’s place in Congress.
Feature image courtesy Office of Jennifer Wexton
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