“In his book V-V-Voice: A Stutterer’s Odyssey, Scott Damian explores his own personal struggles with stuttering while reminding us through his multitalented career how those obstacles can be overcome,” noted Jane Fraser at the gala. “He is an inspiration.”

Damian had this to say about stuttering, “V-V-Voice…the word sticks in the back of your throat. Your mouth shudders as your teeth grit together. You push, trying to get the word out. A jarring, jackhammer sound gurgles out of your mouth. Your face contorts and your body shakes as judging eyes stare at you. A shameful feeling washes over you. Your soul is forever crushed. These are the wounding, humiliating trials that millions of stutterers worldwide endure each and every day…and I am one of them. Even though some conquer their stuttering, the psychological ramifications stay with a former stutterer for a lifetime. The self-doubt. The uncertainty that the stuttering will surface again. The shame and guilt that comes with the memories of stuttering. Each and every day we must contend with these visceral battles. That is why I wrote V-V-Voice: A Stutterer’s Odyssey. To show that we share the same pain. The same hardship. The same battle scars. And that through this bond, we can find healing.”

From the Summer 2012 Newsletter