Kevin Hancock led his family’s lumber company with a strong hand, taking charge of most meetings and directing strategy. But all that changed a decade ago. Hancock, the sixth-generation CEO of Hancock Lumber, felt his throat tightening and found it difficult to speak or be understood. His diagnosis: spasmodic dysphonia, an incurable and rare condition that causes throat spasms. “When I had my voice I could be really controlling and used my title and position to hold a gavel to talk forcefully to people,” said Hancock, 53.