Roger Gillespie knows what it’s like to live without a voice — not just metaphorically, but literally. After battling laryngeal cancer, Roger lost his natural voice and had to find new ways to communicate. Everyday moments — like speaking to his wife, calling a friend, or joining a group conversation — became more complicated, quieter, and exhausting. But Roger never stopped wanting to connect.
We’re proud to share Roger’s story on World Voice Day, which speaks to resilience, technology, and the human need to be heard.
Roger discovered Whispp, an assistive voice app for people with affected or whispered speech. By whispering — which he can still do clearly — Whispp transforms Roger’s voice into a natural-sounding, full-volume voice in real-time. He said, “I’m now back to being able to tell dad jokes, interact with my friends, and have lots of fun.”
In regaining the ability to speak clearly, Roger reminds us just how essential voice is — not just for communication but for identity, connection, and independence.
We often take our voices for granted — until we no longer have one. Voice is deeply personal. It’s how we express our thoughts, feelings, needs, and personality. On World Voice Day 2025, people worldwide celebrate the power of voice while also shining a light on the millions of people who face daily challenges in speaking.
For people like Roger, the issue isn’t anxiety or nerves — it’s biology. After his cancer treatment, his vocal cords couldn’t produce sound the way they used to. The result was a quieter life, both literally and socially. Not being able to raise your voice or speak with clarity can isolate you from everyday conversations. It can be frustrating, tiring, and, at times, lonely.
Worldwide, more than 300 million people live with a voice disability, many caused by illness, injury, or neurological conditions. Whether the result of cancer, surgery, degenerative disease, or other medical reasons, losing your voice can affect every part of life — from work to relationships to mental well-being.
World Voice Day is a moment to celebrate all voices — spoken, whispered, assisted, or typed. It’s also a reminder that everyone deserves to be heard.
Technologies like Whispp show how assistive voice technology can open new doors — or reopen old ones. Whispp was designed for people whose natural voice no longer works the way it used to but who can still articulate words in a whisper.
By using real-time AI voice conversion, Whispp transforms whispered speech into a full, natural-sounding voice. This means someone like Roger can call loved ones, leave voice messages, or speak in meetings without being limited by vocal strain or volume. The result isn’t just clarity — it’s confidence.
And this is what inclusivity looks like in practice:
In Roger’s case, it meant reclaiming the ability to say “good morning” or join a call — not as a whisper from the background, but as an active voice in the room.
Assistive voice technology supports inclusivity in real, everyday ways:
Just as ramps make buildings accessible, assistive voice applications enhance speech accessibility. It’s about providing equal opportunities to communicate and the freedom to express oneself on personal terms..
This World Voice Day, let’s celebrate more than sound. Let’s celebrate the courage it takes to keep speaking when your voice has changed. Let’s celebrate the people, like Roger, who find new ways to connect. And let’s acknowledge the tools that help them do it.
You probably know someone who’s lost their voice due to illness, surgery, or a medical condition. Maybe a colleague who speaks quietly now.
Maybe a relative who struggles on the phone. Share Whispp with them. It’s a small gesture that can make a big difference.
Together, we can build a world where no voice is too quiet to be heard — and where every person has the means to speak up.
Related news
Whispp already received attention in Time Magazine. Now it is also Quote’s turn to interview Joris Castermans about his smart app that ensures that people who are less quick-witted are also heard. But: ‘Eventually only one out of six downloads comes from someone who stutters’.
At 4YFN, Whispp CEO Joris Castermans joined a panel on purpose-driven innovation, sharing how startups like Whispp can create real-world impact. His key message? Technology should break down communication barriers—not build new ones. Discover how Whispp is advancing speech accessibility with real-time voice conversion for people with speech disorders.
Whispp returns to MWC Barcelona 2025 with groundbreaking updates to its real-time voice AI. From low-latency Live Conversations to expanded use cases for business communication, we’re showcasing how Whispp makes speech accessible—on your terms. Catch us at 4YFN or book a demo to experience it in action.
