Avri Gilad Reveals Bell's Palsy Diagnosis, Vows Openness

By מערכת ice

Translated & summarized from Ice by baba

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Hebrew · 5 newsrooms covering

Israeli media personality Avri Gilad revealed he has Bell's palsy, causing facial paralysis, and chose to publicly share his diagnosis to maintain transparency. He stated he had no intention of hiding his condition, which he discovered last Friday. Despite the paralysis, Gilad continued his television and podcasting work, emphasizing his commitment to honesty. His treating physician dismissed his initial theory about gum chewing as the cause.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Avri Gilad revealed he has Bell's palsy, causing paralysis on one side of his face.
Gilad chose to publicly disclose his condition to maintain transparency and control the narrative.
He continued his television and podcasting work despite the facial paralysis.
A doctor dismissed Gilad's initial theory that chewing gum caused his condition.
Fellow Bell's palsy survivor Michal Ansky praised Gilad's openness and shared her own experience.

Avri Gilad Reveals Bell's Palsy Diagnosis, Vows Openness — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Israeli media personality Avri Gilad, who revealed last Friday he has Bell's palsy, a condition causing facial paralysis, discussed his decision to publicly share his diagnosis in an interview on Monday. Gilad stated he had no hesitation in revealing his condition, emphasizing his commitment to honesty and transparency. "I have no intention of hiding, and polished image management is not part of what I do. I go for the simple truth, laid out on the table, yes yes, no no," he explained.

Gilad elaborated that hiding his condition would have been impractical, especially given his ongoing television work. "I don't have the energy to go into a cave for a month until this passes. It's clear it will be visible on my first show," he said, noting that he chose to share the news to control the narrative. "Instead of it managing me, I'm managing it in the best way I can."

He first disclosed his condition on his podcast "Tandu" last Friday, describing waking up with half his face paralyzed. Despite this, he continued his broadcasting duties, co-hosting the show "Avri and Sharqi" on Saturday night. Fellow Bell's palsy survivor Michal Ansky praised Gilad's bravery, sharing her own experience of initial shame and a months-long period before she felt comfortable revealing her condition. She humorously suggested they could do a "couple's campaign" together, as "together we are whole."

Initially, Gilad speculated that chewing gum for extended periods might have caused his condition, but his treating physician, Dr. Tal Kaufman Goldberg from Ichilov Hospital, dismissed this theory, stating there is no known link. The medical explanation for Bell's palsy typically involves inflammation and swelling of the facial nerve, possibly triggered by a dormant virus, though the exact cause is often unknown. While initial improvement can occur within two to three weeks, full recovery may take several months. Gilad intends to continue his broadcasting schedule without letting the change in his appearance dictate his public interactions.