Being Inspired by Lazaro Arbos

Blog by Voon Pang
Jan. 21, 2013

A couple of nights ago, the stuttering community jumped for joy when Lazaro Arbos auditioned for American Idol. The social and media firestorm that ensued was amazing, which ultimately led to increased awareness and education for those about stuttering. In writing this article, I “googled” stuttering + American Idol and 65 various sources popped up in the news section of Google. The websites included Fox News, Examiner.com, Today.com, RadarOnline, MTV.com and Entertainment Weekly just to name a few.

I read some of the articles and posts on the Stuttering Foundation’s Facebook Page and found some quotes from the general public, which summarise the significance and inspiration this 21-year-old man has had on us.

"My four-year-old said, “Mommy, he has bumpy speech just like me!” Thank you for being a role model, Lazaro!"

"As someone who has stuttered most of my life, I applaud the courage this young man has shown."

"My son who stutters was inspired by his bravery! Congratulations to Lazaro!"

"Lazaro, you are adorable, but you really are also an inspiration to other young people who suffer from stuttering or any other disabilities that make it hard for them to express themselves."

Even my own sister commented, “I love his story and it’s so nice to know your work helps kids find their voice” when I shared the link with her on Facebook. (Thanks sis, it’s stories like this that keeps me going!!)

I’ll be cheering him on from New Zealand and doing my best to keep up to date on how he is getting on in American Idol. Congratulations Lazaro and I know that you will develop a Fan Army (so far I can only think of “Arbonauts” as an appropriate name) within AND beyond the stuttering community!

P.S. If you want to follow Lazaro on Twitter you can find him on https://twitter.com/LazaroMusic

CELEBRITY FOCUS

King George

In November 2010, worldwide movie audiences were presented with a most interesting and unusual movie release with The King’s Speech, starring Colin Firth as King George VI and Helena Bonham Carter as his wife Elizabeth.

Unfortunately, history may have forgotten the courageous and inspiring story of Prince Albert who stuttered badly and never dreamed that he would ever be king when his older brother, King Edward VIII, abruptly abdicated the throne in 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee.

James Earl Jones

Actor James Earl Jones, a Broadway, television and movie star, is well-known for his voice as Darth Vader in Star Wars and his book Voices and Silences. Jones has spoken some of the most memorable lines in the history of American film, but the man known for his voice was once afflicted with a severe stutter.

Jack Paar

While Jack Paar is among the most prominent of the entertainers on the Stuttering Foundation’s list of Famous People Who Stutter, he deserves special recognition as he was among the first to openly address his stuttering in public. As host of The Tonight Show from 1957-1962, he spoke of his difficulties as a stuttering child and teenager, giving hope to young people.

Kenyon Martin

Kenyon Martin, the basketball sensation who was named to the NBA’s All Star Team in 2004, joins other famous people who stutter in a new brochure. The brochure - which unfolds into a small poster - is available free of charge from The Stuttering Foundation.

The poster is intended to give children and adults who stutter inspiration as they grapple with their speech disorder.

Ken Venturi

As much of the nation watches the U.S. Open Golf Championship, it is impossible not to think about our late friend Ken Venturi. Ken overcame many challenges to win the Open at Congressional in 1964 and go on to become the voice of golf for more than three decades.

However, Ken faced no bigger obstacle than stuttering. Ken Venturi was a champion to those who stutter, going out of his way to share his personal experience when consulted by a colleague, friend, or child who stutters.