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Miss Manners Tackles Stuttering

In her nationally syndicated column, Miss Manners responds to a question we get all the time… DEAR MISS MANNERS: What is the proper protocol when speaking with someone who has a stutter? Is it considered helpful or rude to assist him in completing a sentence or question?

Laura Jo McKamey: A Dedicated SLP

Laura Jo McKamey passed away in May. She was killed in a car accident when a semi-truck struck her from behind during a “white out” in Montana. She was a graduate of the Stuttering Foundation’s Eastern and Western workshops.

Western Workshop Lassos Success

Once again, Susan Hamilton, Jennifer Watson, and Ellen Reuler conclude that this year’s workshop was a success! The three joined forces for this five-day event, Diagnosis and Treatment of Children and Adolescents Who Stutter: Practical Strategies, co-sponsored by Pacific University, Portland State University, and the Stuttering Foundation.

Byron Pitts of ABC News Honored at NYC Gala

ABC News anchor and chief national correspondent Byron Pitts was honored by the Stuttering Foundation at its May 7th gala in New York to celebrate National Stuttering Awareness Week.

Stuttering Didn’t Silence His Story: John Stossel Inspires Others

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (December 12, 2013) — John Stossel, correspondent for Fox News, is one of the most recognized and articulate reporters today. However, he once considered giving up his broadcasting career because of his stuttering.

Stossel is featured on the Stuttering Foundation's 18 Famous People Who Stutter poster and brochure.

Jackpot!! Donor Sends Stuttering Foundation 200 Mega Millions Lottery Tickets – Drawing Tonight

To show appreciation for the services it provides, an anonymous donor sent the Stuttering Foundation 200 Mega Millions lottery tickets for the drawing scheduled for tonight. Lottery official estimate the potential winnings at more than $425 million.

Jackpot!! Donor Sends Stuttering Foundation 200 Mega Millions Lottery Tickets

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (December 13, 2013) — To show appreciation for the services it provides, an anonymous donor sent the Stuttering Foundation 200 Mega Millions lottery tickets for the drawing scheduled for tonight. Lottery official estimate the potential winnings at more than $425 million.

Singing a ‘Safe Haven’ for Marc Anthony

Marc Anthony struggled with stuttering in his early years and found singing as a way to break free of his stuttering bonds.

Stuttering Foundation’s 23rd Annual Media Awards Competition

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Jan. 27, 2014) — For the 23rd consecutive year, the Stuttering Foundation, www.StutteringHelp.org, announces it will recognize journalists for excellence in reporting that furthers the understanding of this complex disorder.

“We are happy to announce these awards to further public awareness of stuttering,” said Jane Fraser, president of the nonprofit foundation. “Media coverage has grown substantially in volume and sensitivity in recent years. We want to continue to recognize outstanding reporting.”

Positive Attitude

When I was about five years old, I started to stutter badly. It would take me about five minutes to read a sentence. Going to school made me more afraid to speak. High school was a little better because I had teachers who understood me.

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CELEBRITY FOCUS

John Stossel

John Stossel is one of the most recognized and articulate reporters today. However, he once considered giving up his broadcasting career because of his stuttering.

“Fear of stuttering can easily become worse than the stuttering itself,” observed Stossel. “The idea that I’m on television and making speeches is still a shock to me sometimes.”

Alan Rabinowitz

Alan Rabinowitz, Ph.D., who passed away in 2018, was an explorer, wildlife conservationist, and author. He established the Hukawng Valley Tiger Reserve in northern Myanmar, which is about the size of the state of Vermont.

His love for animals began when he was very young.

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.

Bill Walton

From BillWalton.com

Thank you for your interest in my life long problem with my speech and communication skills. I was a very shy and reserved young man who could not speak at all without severely stuttering until I was 28 years old. Always a success in the classroom and on the basketball court, I took refuge in the things that I did well as a youngster. A straight A student, my athletic abilities covered the deficiencies that limited my overall growth and development. The game of basketball was my religion, the gym my church. It was a convenient way of avoiding my responsibilities of developing my human relation skills.

When I was 28, a chance encounter at a social event with Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Glickman completely changed my life in so many ways that things have never been the same since, nor have they ever been better. That day, in a very brief, private conversation (one way, mind you, since I literally could not speak at the time) Marty explained, patiently and concisely, that talking, communicating was a skill not a gift or a birthright and that like any skill, whether it be sports, music, business or whatever, needed to be developed over a lifetime of hard work, discipline, organization and practice. Marty gave me some simple tips that day and then encouraged me to take those keys and apply them to methods of learning that I had received from the special teachers that I had come across in my life, particularly the 6 Hall of Fame basketball coaches that I had played for throughout my career. The beginning of my whole new life was as simple as that. No gimmicks, tricks or shortcuts. Just the realization that with some help, guidance and a lot of hard work that I too could do what seemed so easy, simple and natural to everyone else, yet seemed impossibly out of my reach and comprehension.

Dave Taylor

Dave Taylor has been on the Stuttering Foundation's list of Famous People Who Stutter for many years, but probably few people know all of the unique accomplishments of this former hockey great who was born on December 4, 1955, in Levack, Ontario.