Reaching Out to Pediatricians from Around the World

By June Campbell, M.A., CCC-SLP, BRSFD

They came from near and far, the young and the old, those unfamiliar with the Stuttering Foundation, and those very knowledgeable about its literature and mission.

Attendees at the American Academy of Pediatrics Annual Conference held in Boston, October 2011, represented fourteen countries and thirty-three states.

“My mother is going to love this. I stutter.” commented a nine-year-old boy as he picked up materials while perusing the exhibits on his own.

One physician stopped by to thank the Foundation for its dedication to educating pediatricians. Others stopped by to discuss children and families they treat, their own stuttering, or stuttering in their immediate family. Many pediatric residents were grateful to receive information that has barely been addressed in their training.

This was the sixteenth year I represented the Stuttering Foundation. I was grateful for the consistently warm welcome, positive responses and desires of the physicians to take the time to study the materials we offered. Many asked questions to improve their own understanding of fluency disorders.

Pediatricians came from 33 states and 14 countries.

-From the Winter 2012 Newsletter

CELEBRITY FOCUS

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mel Tillis

Mel Tillis, born Lonnie Melvin Tillis, was an influential figure in country music, both as a songwriter and a performer. His journey to fame was marked by overcoming personal challenges, including a stutter that he turned into a defining part of his public persona.