MEMPHIS, Tenn. (February 27, 2011) – Jane Fraser, president, The Stuttering Foundation (www.stutteringhelp.org), issued the following reaction to the Oscar awards:

“It is an eloquently golden night for people who stutter. The King’s Speech has been a godsend for the entire stuttering community.

“Tom Hooper gave us an inspirational hero, David Seidler gave us an impassioned voice, Helena Bonham Carter gave us a forceful yet supportive spouse, and Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush portrayed the perfect relationship between therapist and patient, an alliance built upon unbreakable trust, mutual respect and lifelong friendship.

“We salute tonight’s Oscar winners, including Best Movie The King’s Speech, Best Director Tom Hooper, Best Original Screenplay David Seidler, Best Leading Actor Colin Firth, and the entire cast and crew, for their courage, grace and humanity in making this film for audiences to appreciate.

“The real winners tonight, however, are people who stutter, especially those who require the courage of a King to cope with stuttering on a daily basis.”

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Foundation Spokesperson Jane Fraser

Jane Fraser is president of The Stuttering Foundation and co-author of If Your Child Stutters: A Guide for Parents, 8th edition. She is also vice president of the Association for Research into Stammering in Childhood, Michael Palin Centre, in London. Ms. Fraser is available for interviews by contacting Greg Wilson, 571-239-7474 or email: gregwilsonpr@gmail.com.

About the Foundation

Malcolm Fraser felt the same dread of speaking in public that King George VI experienced in the 1940s. Inspired by the plight of "Bertie," Fraser, a successful businessman and stutterer, went on to establish and endow the 64-year-old nonprofit Foundation in 1947. The Foundation provides a toll-free helpline, 800-992-9392, and free online resources on its Website,www.stutteringhelp.org, including services, referrals and support to people who stutter and their families, as well as support for research into the causes of stuttering. Please visit us at www.stutteringhelp.org.