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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

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.

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.

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.

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.