| Stuttering Foundation: A Nonprofit Organization Helping Those Who Stutter

The Stuttering Stoic

How an ancient philosophy helped author Vince Vawter find his voice.

A Breathy “Happy Birthday to You, Ms. Monroe!”

June 1, 2026, marks the 100^th birthday of the late great, Norma Jeane Mortenson—more commonly known as Marilyn Monroe.

Harvey Keitel’s Path to Hollywood Success

Actor's life story reveals how a childhood marked by severe stuttering evolved into a career defined by artistic achievement and resilience.

Letters & Drawings from Kids

Be inspired by the latest mail sent to us.

May 21, 2026

I Still Have Something to Say

Because silence, as it is commonly understood, is only the surface. What it contains is far more complex. And far more human.

Our Spring 2026 Magazine

From heartfelt letters by kids to engaging research and celebrity articles, there’s always something to discover in our new 62-page magazine.

#NSAW2026: The Stuttering Foundation—The World’s Most Trusted Resource on Stuttering

We are reaching more than 181 countries and territories.

May 12, 2026

Stuttering and Relationships: The Emotional Geography of Belonging

There is a particular kind of loneliness that comes not from being alone, but from constantly editing yourself before you enter the world. Not because there are no people around you, but because every interaction carries an invisible layer of calculation.

May 11, 2026

Why Stuttering Support Groups Don’t Work at First and Why That’s Normal

Many people join a stuttering support group with a clear idea of what they are looking for. But in the beginning, most people do not find what they are looking for.

3 Ways to Spread the Word About Stuttering

National Stuttering Awareness Week is a great opportunity for schools and communities to spread the word about stuttering. Here are some ideas:

Students can help is by designing a poster for their school that spreads awareness about stuttering. Bright and creative posters can help educate others and remind students that everyone communicates differently.

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CELEBRITY FOCUS

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.

Byron Pitts

Byron Pitts has brought much attention to stuttering with his memoir, Step Out on Nothing: How Faith and Family Helped Me Conquer Life’s Challenges, released in September, 2009. The book not only details his speech difficulties, but also his illiteracy until age 12 and his unstable family life. Pitts overcame the odds to become the chief national correspondent with ABC News.

James Earl Jones

Actor James Earl Jones, a Broadway, television and movie star, was well-known for his voice as Darth Vader in Star Wars and his book Voices and Silences. Jones spoke some of the most memorable lines in the history of American film, but the man known for his voice was once afflicted with a severe stutter.

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.

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.