Jordi Roca reveals emotional struggle with spasmodic dysphonia and cervical dystonia

Jordi Roca, the renowned pastry chef, has opened up about his decades-long battle with spasmodic dysphonia and cervical dystonia, revealing that his first symptom was a sudden involuntary turning of his head while working on a computer. In the latest episode of 'Universo Calleja,' filmed in China, Roca shared intimate details of his condition and how he has learned to live with it.

The confession

Roca described the frightening onset of symptoms 15 years ago: "Estaba trabajando en el ordenador y de repente la cabeza se me puso para allá. No podía bajarla, estaba tenso y me asusté mucho porque de repente pierdes el control de tu cuerpo" Source: lavanguardia. He initially thought the issue might be psychological, saying, "Pensaba que era algo mental" Source: elmundoes. The uncertainty before diagnosis was a heavy burden: "Hasta que no supe que me pasaba, fue un runrún de no encontrar la salida" Source: lavanguardia.

The conditions

Roca explained that spasmodic dysphonia is a neurological disorder where the brain fails to recognize the muscles of the vocal cords, causing spasms and affecting speech Source: lavanguardia. Cervical dystonia, meanwhile, causes involuntary twisting of the neck, leading to pain and limited movement. He has been undergoing verbalization therapy for seven years, achieving gradual improvement: "Llevo siete años de verbalización y poco a poco se va consiguiendo una mejora" Source: elmundoes.

Living with it

Despite these challenges, Roca maintains a positive outlook. He stated, "No hago nada que no hiciera si estuviera bien. Hago todo lo que me da la gana. Soy feliz, me va genial" Source: lavanguardia. Both sources confirm that he now lives fully, refusing to let the conditions define him.