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Original Cause of Your Stuttering

An excerpt from the book Self-Therapy for the Stutterer by Malcolm Fraser

Stuttering Foundation Announces 2014 Journalism Award Winners

For Immediate Release  
greg@curleycompany.com
571-239-7474

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (May 27, 2014) — The Stuttering Foundation, www.StutteringHelp.org, announced the winners of its 2014 Awards for Excellence in Journalism today.

Face Your Fears

An excerpt of chapter 20 from Advice to Those Who Stutter

By Sol Adler

Materials Make a Difference Around the World

Here are two letters we recently received from other countries:

Stuttering Gets Congress’ Attention

Congressman Frank Wolf gave a speech on the House floor about the challenges he and other people who stutter face.

Marathon Golfer Raises $2,600; Golfs 126 Holes in Support of the Stuttering Foundation

For Immediate Release

Contact: Greg Wilson

greg@curleycompany.com

571-239-7474

Photo caption: Matthew Sander at the Ballyneal Golf Club in Holyoke, Colo., during the Hundred Hole Hike. Download picture

James Rodriguez is a Star

The breakout star of World Cup 2014 hands down has been Colombia’s sensation James Rodriguez. Only 22 years old and in his first World Cup, some pro soccer commentators see him as the next superstar.

10th Oxford Dysfluency Conference

One hundred ninety-two delegates from 32 countries met in Oxford, UK, marking 30 years since the first Oxford Dysfluency Conference (ODC) in 1984. Several age-defying attendees of this year’s conference also were present at the inaugural conference.

Fund-raiser Runs at Full Steam to Make Record Gift to Memphis Foundation

Contact: Greg Wilson
gregwilsonpr@gmail.com

Photo caption: John Tarver (second from left) and Kirk Tarver (second from right) of Shelby Railroad Services Inc. with Stuttering Foundation staff members Susie Hall (from left), Terri Jones, and Pat Hamm.

In Support of American Idol Finalist Lazaro Arbos, Stuttering Foundation Receives $10,000 Donation from Rita’s Italian Ice

For Immediate Release
Contact: Greg Wilson
gregwilsonpr@gmail.com 
571-239-7474

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CELEBRITY FOCUS

Bruce Willis

While the world knows Bruce Willis as an A-list actor, few know that he struggled with stuttering throughout his first 20 years.

Walter Bruce Willis was born in 1955 in West Germany to his German mother, Marlene, and his American GI father, David Willis. The family settled in David’s hometown of Penns Grove, New Jersey in 1957, and the couple has three other children.

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.

Jack Paar

While Jack Paar is among the most prominent of the entertainers on the Stuttering Foundation’s list of Famous People Who Stutter, he deserves special recognition as he was among the first to openly address his stuttering in public. As host of The Tonight Show from 1957-1962, he spoke of his difficulties as a stuttering child and teenager, giving hope to young people.

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.

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.”