Documentary of Chicago Bull’s Bob Love wins $1,000

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Oct. 22, 2007) — The Stuttering Foundation awarded the documentary, Find Yourself a Dream: The Bob Love Story, its 2007 first-place media award. A special $1,000 cash prize will be presented to Bob Love and America’s Film Fund to celebrate the Foundation’s 60th year.

The Foundation also selected three runner-up winners for successfully enhancing public understanding of this complex speech disorder during the past year. First runner-up winner will receive $250, second runner-up winner will get $100, and third runner-up winner will be awarded $50.

The three runner-up winners were in the newspaper category. First runner-up winner was Karen Rivers, staff writer, South Bend Tribune, South Bend, Ind., for Stopping the Stutter. Second runner-up winner was Amy Matthew, features reporter, The Pueblo Chieftain, Pueblo, Colo., for Speaking Up. Third runner-up was Eric-Paul Johnson, The Press-Enterprise, Riverside, Calif., for LettingHis Game Do the Talking.

The winners were announced on the Foundation’s Web site, www.stutteringhelp.org, on Monday, Oct. 22, International Stuttering Awareness Day.

“Journalists in a variety of media have done an outstanding job of focusing on the causes and treatment of stuttering over the past year,” said Jane Fraser, president of the nonprofit foundation. “We were particularly pleased with the entries during our 16th year of honoring journalists.”

America’s Film Fund produced the documentary, Find Yourself a Dream: The Bob Love Story. Love knows first-hand the experiences of someone who stutters and overcame significant setbacks even after his glory years with the Chicago Bulls.

“Bob is more than a great basketball star and community leader,” said Fraser. “He is an outstanding role model for young people everywhere.”

One judge said, “It demonstrated that even with all the adversity in his life, Bob Love never gave up. This true story is an inspiration for all.” Information about other famous people who overcame stuttering can be found at www.stutteringhelp.org.

The Foundation offers free streaming videos, books, downloadable brochures and a worldwide referral list atwww.stutteringhelp.org. Help is also available by calling 800-992-9392

CELEBRITY FOCUS

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.

Emily Blunt

Actress Emily Blunt struggled with stuttering early in her life. A teacher encouraged her to act in a school play at age 12 despite her stuttering.

Blunt’s name is prominently featured on the Stuttering Foundation's list of Famous People Who Stutter.

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.

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.

Carly Simon

Carly Simon began stuttering severely when she was eight years old.