Ken Venturi: A Champion to Those Who Stutter

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (June 14, 2011) – Jane Fraser, president, the Stuttering Foundation (www.StutteringHelp.org) issued the following remarks concerning Ken Venturi and the U.S. Open:

“As much of the nation tunes in this week to watch the U.S. Open Golf Championship at Congressional Country Club, it is impossible not to think about our 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 is 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.

“Ken was the first national spokesman for the Stuttering Foundation nearly two decades ago. As was his way, he offered to fill that role for us because his concern for those who stutter was unparalleled. He had corresponded over several years with my father, our founder Malcolm Fraser, and said he wished to do whatever he could to help people who stutter.

“As he presents the trophy to this year’s winner, I look forward to seeing our friend Ken and hearing his smooth voice once again.”

###

About the Stuttering Foundation
Malcolm Fraser, a successful businessman and stutterer, went on to establish and endow the nonprofit Stuttering Foundation in 1947. The Stuttering Foundation provides a toll-free helpline, 800-992-9392, and free online resources on its Website, www.StutteringHelp.org, including services, referrals and support to people who stutter and their families, as well as support for research into the causes of stuttering. Please visit us atwww.StutteringHelp.org.

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.”

Kenyon Martin

Kenyon Martin, the basketball sensation who was named to the NBA’s All Star Team in 2004, joins other famous people who stutter in a new brochure. The brochure - which unfolds into a small poster - is available free of charge from The Stuttering Foundation.

The poster is intended to give children and adults who stutter inspiration as they grapple with their speech disorder.

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.

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.

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.