Uncovering a Masterpiece

By Paul Noor

alt text As a child growing up in a small village north of Iran, just south of Russia, I struggled with a severe stutter and even considered not talking and learning sign language. Today I am a speaker and speak at businesses, clubs, schools, colleges, churches and correctional facilities.

When I was a young man, I made a promise to myself that one day I would overcome my stuttering and become a public speaker. It was a huge promise as I could not even say my own name, but I also made another promise to myself: not to give up or lose hope until I achieved my dream.

About 30 years ago after I graduated from the engineering school in my home country of Iran, I came to the United States to get my Ph.D. and find a cure for my severe stuttering. For the first 10 years, I tried different therapies—nothing worked—no cure. Actually when I moved to the United States, my stuttering got worse as stuttering and learning a new language do not go together very well.

I came across a story of how Michelangelo created the “Statue of David.” There was a piece of marble left on the side of the road. It was covered with dirt and trash, and no one was paying attention to it. One day as Michelangelo was walking on that street, he saw David in that marble. He took it to his shop, cleaned it up, and turned it into a piece of art. The story of David and how it was created from a leftover and unwanted piece of marble inspired me. I determined to uncover the masterpiece that I believed was hidden inside me. My goal was to overcome my stutter and become a speaker.

I enrolled in a four-week program by Successful Stuttering Management Program at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington. After many failed therapies in the past, I took their program to heart. What I liked most was they did not promise fluency and heavily emphasized being open about stuttering and advertise it—something that even after 20 years I do. Without it, I could not break through the fear of stuttering and being a speaker.

Since my ultimate goal was to be a speaker, I immediately joined our local Toastmasters Club after graduating from that workshop. I visited the club as a guest five times and sat by the exit door to make sure I would be able to escape if needed. Finally I took the risk and joined the club. I became an active member and participated in many speech contests and won several public speaking awards. The positive, supportive and constructive environment of the club built my confidence, and I was able to push myself to a higher level. Joining the Toastmasters Club was the greatest investment I have done in my life.

Today, I feel my stuttering is a gift. It allows me to share my story with other people and inspire them. If we are committed, we can achieve almost anything. If I was able to do it, everyone can.

For more information, visit www.paulnoor.com

-From the Winter 2010 Newsletter

CELEBRITY FOCUS

Lewis Carroll

The recent Disney version of Lewis Carroll’s classic, Alice in Wonderland, garnered a great deal of media hype. Even though the mainstream media has not made mention that Carroll was a person who stuttered, his family history gives credence to the discovery of the genetic link to stuttering. Carroll was born to parents who were first cousins; almost all of their eleven children, three girls and seven boys, struggled with stuttering past childhood.

Darren Sproles

Darren Sproles, a former player for The Philadelphia Eagles, the New Orleans Saints and the San Diego Chargers, made history in 2007 when he became the first player in NFL history to return a kickoff and a punt for his first two NFL touchdowns in the same game. In 2021, he was selected to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Frank Wolf

This Virginian congressman has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1981. The longtime supporter of the Stuttering Foundation drew national attention to childhood stuttering in 2006 when he submitted an article about Tiger Woods from the SFA newsletter to the Congressional Record. The congressman is featured in the Stuttering Foundation's Famous People Who Stutter brochure.

Mel Tillis

Mel Tillis, born Lonnie Melvin Tillis, was an influential figure in country music, both as a songwriter and a performer. His journey to fame was marked by overcoming personal challenges, including a stutter that he turned into a defining part of his public persona.

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.