I KNOW WHAT TO SAY, BUT…

POETIC MEMOIR: A STUTTERER’S LAMENT
by Rose Cordero-Gonzales

My brain swirls with new hope each time I struggle to speak,
but my words get stuck in my throat.
My stuttering may cause some hesitation,
but I beseech you to remain calm and don’t rush me.
Please, my friend, don’t tell me to slow down
because I’ve heard it all before.

My stuttering is just a small part of me, but if you wait,
you will see there is much more to me.
My stuttering can be overwhelming,
but I promise I’m more than that.
Please, my friend, don’t tell me to slow down
because I’ve heard it all before.

My stuttering has adopted me into her shroud,
but she has also taught me patience and tenacity.
My stuttering has been such an excellent teacher
because she has given me a path to self-acceptance.
Please, my friend, don’t tell me to slow down
because I’ve heard it all before.

My stuttering may make you back away,
but don’t be hesitant to speak with me.
My stuttering may sometimes hide away,
but she is always lurking behind some word
ready to pop out at any opportunity.
Please, my friend, don’t tell me to slow down
because I’ve heard it all before.

My stuttering is just a part of who I am.
I refuse to let her define me.

From the Fall 2024 Magazine

CELEBRITY FOCUS

Carly Simon

Carly Simon began stuttering severely when she was eight years old.

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.

Byron Pitts

Byron Pitts has brought much attention to stuttering with his memoir, Step Out on Nothing: How Faith and Family Helped Me Conquer Life’s Challenges, released in September, 2009. The book not only details his speech difficulties, but also his illiteracy until age 12 and his unstable family life. Pitts overcame the odds to become the chief national correspondent with ABC News.

Bill Withers

While Bill Withers has long been on the Stuttering Foundation's list of Famous People Who Stutter, many people probably didn’t realize he stuttered. He passed away on March 30, 2020.

Born in 1938 in Slab Fork, W.V., Withers was the youngest of six children. When his father died when Withers was small, he was raised by his mother and grandmother, both of whom worked as domestics.

Marilyn Monroe

From Edward S. Herrington's letter to Southcoasttoday.com

I am writing in response to "The importance of voice" (May 29), which mentioned that famous actor James Earl Jones struggled with stuttering. Another famous voice that you cited was the trademark breathy voice of Marilyn Monroe; however, you did not make mention of the fact that Marilyn Monroe also struggled with stuttering at various points in her life, sometimes very painfully.