This document provides an update from Anne Smith of Purdue University on a longitudinal study of children who stutter. The study has been funded to follow children ages 4-5 for 5 years, examining factors like motor timing ability. Half of the children are expected to recover from stuttering while the other half will persist. The funding has been extended for an additional 5 years.
1. www.stutteringhelp.org • 800-992-9392 • www.tartamudez.org
T HE S TUTTERING F OUNDATION
A Nonprofit Organization SUMMER 2008 Since 1947... Helping Those Who Stutter
New Research
from Purdue
By Anne Smith, Ph.D.
Purdue University
I am pleased to have this opportu-
nity to update you on the progress
over the past year from the Purdue
Sproles
Stuttering Project.
You may recall
Joins
from our earlier Sports
articles that we
are engaged in a
The Legends
longitudinal study
of young children
who stutter and
great Darren Sproles, of
the San Diego
Anne Smith, Ph.D.
their normally
fluent controls.
With funding
play Chargers who made
history last season
by returning a kick-
from the NIH's National Institute off and a punt for his
on Deafness and
Communication Disorders, we
Other
have been recruiting 4 and 5-year-
for SFA first two NFL touch-
downs in the same
game, joins other fa-
olds, and we will be following mous people who
them yearly for a period of 5 stutter in a new
years. In fact, we have just re- National Stuttering brochure celebrating
ceived notice from the NIH that Awareness Week
is May 12-18 Continued on page 13
our project will be funded for an Photos courtesy of NFL
additional five years.
After the five years of testing, the Facts about Darren Sproles
children will be 9 or 10 years old,
and approximately half of them Team: San Diego Chargers Born: Waterloo, Iowa
will have recovered from stutter- Position: Running back Career Highlights: Twice
ing, while half will persist. In each and return specialist named The Kansas City
yearly visit to our laboratories, the College: Kansas State Star Player of the Year
children participate in an extensive University Source: www.wikipedia.com
set of experiments, including those
that test basic motor timing ability,
Continued on page 8 Frances Cook Joins SFA Board
Frances Cook, who in 2005, and has been head
Inside... joined the SFA Board of of Speciality at the Michael
Directors in January, has Palin Centre in London
Exciting new DVD . . . . . . . 2 specialized in stuttering since 1995.
Fraser earns national award . 3 since the early 1970s. She has authored numer-
Remembering Richard Curlee In 2005, she earned ous papers, chapters and
Honours of the Royal texts in relation to stuttering
and Vivian Sheehan . . . . . . 4 College of Speech and therapy and research, and
Letters from young readers. 6 Language Therapists, be- contributed to the Stuttering
A recipe for confidence . . . 9 came Honorary Research Foundation’s recently re-
Frances
Fellow of University College leased DVD Stuttering: Cook
Celebrate Awareness Week . 16 London (Psychology Dept) Basic Clinical Skills. K
2. THE
STUTTERING
2 www.stutteringhelp.org FOUNDATION 800-992-9392
Luterman’s Expertise Sharpens Skills
By Diane Parris, M.S.
Boston University
“In order to be a growing professional, we need to
be always on the fringe of our incompetency,” that is
to say we always need to be pushing ourselves to our
limits of competence in order to learn new
skills at higher levels.
This was the invitation offered Bob
by David Luterman, D.Ed. as he O’Brien
began training ten participants in prepares
counseling skills for the latest the video
Stuttering Foundation production equipment.
Sharpening Counseling Skills.
Based on forty years of experience
and as Director of the Thayer Lindsey
Family-Centered Nursery for Hearing
Impaired Children at Emerson College
in Boston, and on his seminal book,
Counseling Persons with Communication Disorders David Luterman puts on
and Their Families, Dr. Luterman describes the coun- his microphone before the
seling relationship as an unconventional one. filming begins.
“It is a relationship that necessitates deep, self-
less listening.”
It requires the professional to put aside his or her
Behind the scenes
point of view in order to fully understand the
client’s point of view and to put themselves in the
role of “coach, not fixer.”
This three-hour DVD captures the unique process
that a clinician goes through in learning how to lis-
ten deeply and to provide counseling with inner wis-
dom. As a viewer, you will join the ten participants
— a graduate student, beginning and experienced
clinicians, and researchers — as they transform their
thinking about being in the role of counselor and
practice the skill of nonjudgmental listening.
You will hear their personal stories and concerns
when an environment of emotional safety is created.
When understanding and acceptance are provided, they
begin the process of resolving problems on their own. “Getting Wired”
Counseling from this perspective means the clin-
ician must overcome the discomfort associated Participants put on
with silence, an essential tool in deep listening. He their microphones.
or she must resist the tendency to provide immedi-
ate information and advice to clients and instead
listen to the messages that lie beneath their words.
“And also, sometimes, we have to be willing to take a
few leaps into the void” of vulnerability that comes with
not relying on being the expert with all the answers. The
kinds of counseling techniques that emerge from estab-
lishing this type of genuine therapeutic relationship are
masterfully demonstrated by Dr. Luterman.
He makes evident the power and opportunity that
stillness and silent witnessing create, and he teach-
es us to open up to others and to ourselves.
Editor: This DVD should be an essential training
tool for all those in the helping professions. K
3. THE
STUTTERING
SUMMER 2008 FOUNDATION 800-992-9392 3
Temperament Can Underlie “Signature
Strengths” in Children Who Stutter
By Patricia M. Zebrowski, Ph.D. positive outcome in therapy? For
University of Iowa example, preliminary research has
shown that children who stutter Fraser Earns
A number of years ago, I became
interested in the study of “Positive
who exhibit the temperamental
substrate of rhythmicity, or tem-
National Award
Psychology” (Seligman, 2002 ) as it poral regularity in eating, sleep- With 1.4 million nonprofits
may be applied to helping children ing, and elimination, may be more in this country to choose from,
who stutter and their parents uncov- likely to benefit from the practice the NonProfit Times named
er and appreciate effects associated with picture Jane Fraser,
the strengths they naming (which might be associat- the presi-
bring to the thera- ed with the practice effect of ther- dent of the
py experience, apy) than do children with less Stuttering
strengths that like- rhythmic biological cycles Foundation,
ly play a major (Arnold, Conture & Walden, Executive
role in treatment 2004). As such, there may be in- of the Year
outcome. creased likelihood of transfer and for 2007.
As Wampold maintenance of speech modifica- In a front-
and his colleagues Patricia Zebrowski, Ph.D. tion skills presented in therapy, re- page story,
(1997) in the areas gardless of what those strategies the national
of psychotherapy and counseling might be. As another example, publication
psychology have long argued, I consider the child who experi- recognized Fraser for her long-
have come to believe that the at- ences a strong degree of reactivity time work with the 60-year-old
tributes of both the client and the and subsequent negative emotion- Foundation.
clinician that matter most in therapy al response to either his stuttering, “In choosing our Executive
success, and while fluency and stut- or the reaction of others to his of the Year, we consider ex-
tering management techniques are stuttered speech. If the child has ecutives who have made a
essential to any kind of speech developed the ability to regulate difference not just for their
change, they make a relatively small his reactions to his own behavior own organizations but more
contribution to the overall experi- (stuttering) or environmental reac- broadly as well, on behalf of
ence. As an example, consider the tion (e.g., routinely shift his atten- other nonprofits,” said Mark
current clinical and research interest tion onto more pleasant, positive Hrywna, the publication’s se-
in child temperament and how it or facilitating stimuli, events or nior editor.
may relate to either stuttering devel- people), he may fail to develop ha- “We also examine the impact
opment or recovery, or to treatment bituated avoidant speech or inter- that organizations of all sizes
success. Our focus in considering action strategies that have long had on the nonprofit sector
temperament is frequently on how it been thought to characterize, and during the previous year and
may be causal or related to the per- perhaps contribute to, chronic it was clear that Jane Fraser
petuation of stuttering and an obsta- stuttering. In such cases, the child met that qualification in
cle to therapy. This is certainly a can be described as resilient, in 2007,” he said. K
valid assumption, and clinical expe- that his temperament and related
rience suggests that it can be the adaptive skills facilitate the ability
case. However, looking for “what’s to ‘bounce back’ or take relatively
wrong” with the child with regard to negative stuttering related experi-
temperament may prevent us from ences in stride. Further, a child
considering how temperament may whose levels of reactivity, emo- Donors may now make gifts
also represent a ‘strength” for the tional response, and ability to self- through the Network for Good Web
child, something that we should regulate contribute to a more dom- site, www.networkforgood.org.
point out, nurture, and discuss with inant, extraverted and sociable This excellent organization, as
the parents as a way to highlight for personality might be inclined to part of Guidestar, works to make
them “what’s right” with the child. readily and positively approach the work of nonprofits more effec-
Regardless of their similarities various social and communication tive and efficient as well as pro-
or differences, how can the tem- situations, including therapy (as motes transparency and account-
perament and personality of a opposed to reluctantly and nega- ability throughout the sector.
child who stutters represent a tively approaching same). In ad- Greater transparency means you
“signature strength” (Seligman, dition, such a child might display as a donor know where and how
2002), and thus contribute to a Continued on page 9 your donor dollars are being used. K
4. THE
STUTTERING
4 www.stutteringhelp.org FOUNDATION 800-992-9392
Richard Curlee: Remembered as a Gentleman,
The Malcolm Scholar and for His Acts of Kindness
Fraser Society By Edward G. Conture ment, “Of my several dozen doc-
Vanderbilt University toral students, Dr. Curlee was eas-
By Don Lineback ily the most tal-
Furman University “Quality is not an act. It is a ented. He was a
and SFA Board Member habit,” said Aristotle. No truer natural leader.
words could be spoken about the Fellow students
Malcolm Fraser led by ex- late Dr. Richard F. Curlee, who flocked to him
ample. He founded the died January 29, 2008 in Tucson, for guidance.”
Stuttering AZ. Dr. Curlee’s habit of high- A recipient of
Foundation, quality personal and professional the Malcolm
sustained it contributions was not happen- Fraser Award
with his gen- stance; it was a choice that he from the Stuttering
erous gifts, made as a student as well as dur- Foundation of Richard
and perpetuat- ing his long tenure as professor, America, Dr. Curlee
ed it through a interim Head and Associate Dean Curlee was a Fellow of the
magnanimous at his beloved University of Arizona. American Speech-Language-
bequest. It is Dr. Curlee went to high school Hearing Association, from which
altogether fit- in North Carolina and received he had also received its highest
ting that the Malcolm his Bachelor of Arts at Wake award, Honors of the Association.
Stuttering Fraser Forest University. Subsequently, His memorial service took place
Foundation he received his M.A. and Ph.D. at on March 2, 2008, in Tucson, AZ,
Gift Society be named for him. the University of Southern and at that service his friends Drs.
The Malcolm Fraser Society California where he studied with Anthony DeFeo, Roger Ingham
seeks to honor those who in- Dr. William Perkins, himself a pi- and Frederick Spahr spoke in
clude the Stuttering Foundation oneer in the scientific investiga- Dick’s honor about his many ac-
in their estate plans, and who tion of stuttering. Even in these complishments, contributions as
agree to be listed annually in early days, there were harbingers well as their personal and profes-
the newsletter as members of of Dick Curlee’s future success as sional remembrances. A Stuttering
the Society. The amount will Dr. Perkins noted at Dick’s retire-
not be listed. Continued on page 10
Such gifts may include:
• Bequests; Vivian Sheehan: Pioneering Speech-Language
• Trusts paying the donor in-
Pathologist and Advocate for People Who Stutter
come for life; By Vivian Sisskin, apy was nothing less than conta-
University of Maryland, gious. As a young undergraduate
• Income-producing annuities; College Park student at U.C.L.A., I watched
• Life insurance; her perform what seemed to be
• IRAs or other pension plans. Vivian Sheehan was a talented, “magic” in
innovative and powerful force in group therapy. I
Suggested phrasing for a the field of speech-language remember
simple bequest would be: pathology. She passed away on laughter and
“I give and bequeath February 14, 2008 at the age of 90 tears, but what
$ ________ (or ____ percent at her home in Santa Monica, stood out was
of my residual estate) to the California. Through six decades of how she created
Stuttering Foundation, a work as a clinician, educator, and an environment
charity founded in Memphis, mentor, she helped countless peo- for change
Tennessee.” ple free themselves of the struggle through trust
In all cases, you should con- and avoidance associated with stut- and support. I Vivian
sult your legal advisor for the tering to achieve comfortable, knew immedi- Sheehan
appropriate type of gift and spontaneous communication. ately that I
wording. Vivian was known for her bound- wanted to do the same. As clini-
Editor’s Note: We appreci- less energy, kind demeanor, and cians who did not stutter, we
ate the trust and support of sharp wit. She was passionate knew we could never truly live
those who have included the about her work and the profession the fear and shame that often ac-
Foundation in their will. K of speech-language pathology. companies a stuttering problem.
Her excitement for group ther- Continued on page 12
5. THE
STUTTERING
SUMMER 2008 FOUNDATION 800-992-9392 5
Rocket Science’s Blitz Provides Insight
Q: What has been your reaction Q: Do you want people in the in-
over the years to the many movies dustry to work to foster more pos-
that display people who stutter in itive portrayals of people who
a negative light? stutter in film and television?
A: To be honest, I never took it A: I think this is actually a danger-
personally. It always seemed ous kind of wish. I don’t think any
ridiculous to me the way stutter- group should be treated such that
ing was used — as a kind of all you see is a positive portrait.
metaphor for a bigger problem in What I hope for is more honest por-
any character. How many movies trayals of life in general. For my-
do we have to see where the seem- self, I don’t need to see a stutterer
ingly weak kid with a stutter turns succeed in a movie as much as I
Photos courtesy of HBO Video. out to be the killer before that idea want to see a stutterer experience
starts to seem idiotic. I mean, if life as I know it to be. Realism is
Jeffrey Blitz, writer and direc- the hollywood version of stutter- the more important goal, I think.
tor of Rocket Science, answers ing was true then we’d all be in
SFA questions. This latest pro- jail for murder. But, to be fair, Q: You, no doubt, have gotten
ject is now available on DVD. stupid hollywood movies treat ev- many personal responses as a re-
eryone except supermodels in a sult of Rocket Science. What is the
Q&A negative light. Yes, stutterers get
the short end of the stick, but so
one that stands out most in your
mind?
do many other sorts of people. I A: Well, I love it when stutterers
Q: Is there one incident in your think it says more about bad and tell me that I’ve captured some-
childhood that inspired you to thoughtless filmmaking than any- thing essential about the experi-
write the screenplay for Rocket thing else. ence of stuttering. That always
Science? lands well for me. My favorite re-
A: There wasn’t a single incident Q: What thoughts were going sponse came when the movie
that inspired Rocket Science but through your head when/if you played at the Edinburgh Film
there was one moment that I kept watched A Fish Called Wanda? Festival and one young stutterer
in mind as I wrote. When I was a A: I actually really enjoyed A Fish came up after and said that the
high school sophomore, I went to Called Wanda when I saw it years only thing that would have made
my first debate tournament. I ago. The whole movie is over-the- the movie better was if two people
blocked on my very first word and top including the portrait of the stuttered in it and not just one!
stayed blocked on it for the entire stutterer. I know that many stutter-
8 minutes I was allocated. I tried ers hate that movie but I somehow Q: Did you get any negative feed-
to never forget the frustration never felt personally savaged by it. back from people who stutter and
(and, in a dark way, the humor) of I just remember laughing really if so, what was the general gripe?
that moment. hard through most of it. Continued on page 11
Annual Audit of Foundation
The annual audit of the Stuttering expenditures for the year. assured that their gifts will go directly
Foundation financial reports for 2007 The 5.8% of expenditures for adminis- to support our program services.
was recently completed by the ac- tration and general expenses and the The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) pri-
counting firm of Cannon and 6/10 of 1% for fund raising are very vate operating foundation which ex-
Company, Certified Public low, and since we are fortunate to have pends its funds on its own programs
Accountants, Memphis, Tenn. an endowment which more than covers and operations and does not make
Following is a recap of funds and our overhead expenses, donors can be grants to other institutions.
Funds expended for:
Creation, production, printing and distribution
of educational materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $580,089 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36.0%
Public information and education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351,521 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21.8%
Educational symposia for professionals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .217,436 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.5%
Therapy program and research on causes/treatment of stuttering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269,637 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.7%
Maintain Web site and toll-free information hotline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88,985 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.6%
Total for Program Services: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,507,668 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93.6%
Other expenditures:
Administration and general . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93,641 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.8%
Fund-raising expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,252 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.6%
Total Expenditures: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,610,561 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100%
6. Dear SFA: Reader Response
THE
6 www.stutteringhelp.org
STUTTERING 800-992-9392
FOUNDATION
Send letters to SFA, P.O. Box 11749, Memphis, TN 38111-0749 or email info@stutteringhelp.org.
Like a hockey puck New book may help
Dear SFA: Dear SFA:
My name is Colton, and I am Sometimes when I’m
7 years old. I live in Canada. I stuttering I feel very angry.
like to play hockey, golf, soc- When I was in second grade,
cer and baseball. I also like I was stuttering and people
school and my family. Getting started to laugh at me. My
help from a speech teacher teacher talked to me outside,
makes a big difference for me. and she talked to people
I talked to my class about stut- who were laughing.
tering and it helped because Also, if you stutter, just use
they got to learn about stutter- your techniques. It will help
ing, and also I got a chance to you. People will get used to
tell the other kids important me stuttering and no one will
laugh at me again.
messages like “Don’t tease Dominic and Rebecca with a “speech tools” birthday In my new school, my friend
other people because they cake at the University of South Alabama. The cake says Dara stutters too. Dara was
have a difference from you.” “brain, mouth, vocal folds, lips, voice box.”
crying because boys were
For me, stuttering is like a fun, awesome, love my hair, and my making fun of her. I felt sad for Dara.
hockey puck because it starts going shoes. When I speak, I repeat the I felt mad at the people who made
fast then it stops suddenly. It helps sounds and words several times. I fun of her.
me to imagine this because I can prolong sounds. I move body parts Jonisha
think what to do and then get mov- (my hands) when I stutter, and I try to Wyandanch, N.Y.
ing with the puck again. find other words when I am talking. Editor’s Note: Trouble at Recess
Colton, 7 Katie (on page 7) is a great book that
Canada Owensboro, Ky. deals with bullying.
A fun, awesome 3rd grader Stuttering isn’t illegal Still learning about stuttering
Dear SFA: Dear SFA: Dear SFA:
My name is Katie. I am in 3rd I don’t mind stuttering. It’s not I don’t mind my stuttering. It’s
grade. I like to play football, have like it’s illegal to stutter. But I don’t not that bad.
sleep-overs, cheerlead, color, and like it when I can’t let the words Sometimes stuttering makes me feel
sleep. I am good at science, math, out. Robert, my speech therapist, sad. Especially when people make fun
taking tests, watching TV, and helps me learn about stuttering. Oh, of me, which occurs not very often.
changing my baby sister’s diapers. and by the way, I’m John, and I’m But sometimes people call me names.
I have stuttered since the 2nd 8 3/4 years old. I go to speech therapy every
grade. My friends think I’m crazy, John Continued on page 12
Picture Perfect
Sometimes I get stuck on words when I meet new teachers and new
people, and then I stutter. Now that I go to speech, I have learned how
to control and work through my stuttering. They both help me with my
speech. They taught me to say all my letters and words without get-
ting stuck. They have taught me how to breathe better and how to
stretch out words and work through bumpy words. I do not mind that
I stutter and have learned to love talking in front of others! I love play-
ing drums, and I love to sing.
Angelo,
Angelo drew this picture of a band.
Roslindale, M.A.
Do you have artwork to share? E-mail it to us at info@stutteringhelp.org.
7. THE
SUMMER 2008 STUTTERING 800-992-9392 7
FOUNDATION
MySpace Outgrows
Initial Expectations Young Author’s Book a Big Success
By Julie Gasway, M.A., CCC-SLP a difference when talking with
By Joan Warner someone who stutters.
Trouble at Recess has been a Jamie’s friends and their par-
If you haven’t visited the Stuttering huge success at home! Jamie was ents, family members, classmates,
Foundation’s MySpace page recent- excited to see her “finished prod- neighbors, school teachers and
ly, hurry to http://groups.myspace. uct,” as were her parents. She guidance counselor attended the
com/stutteringfoundation and see read it proudly and was surprised book signing. She read Trouble at
what is new. to see how her drawings have Recess in front of her guests while
Managed by our friend, Eva changed over time. she was surrounded by friends.
Woolwine, the space has grown When I asked her Many of the kids
leaps and bounds what she thought commented that they
in just a short time about the book she wanted to write a
and now claims said, “I like it!” She book too, and in her
144 members. also said the best usual positive manner
Originally con- thing about making she encouraged them
ceived to interest the book was “draw- to do so. Jamie
teens and young ing the pictures.” seemed unaware of
adults by providing idea exchange Jamie and her par- how rare her accom-
and support, we have all been ents sched- plishment
amazed at the level of participation uled a book was. Since
by so many people. signing for a the book
“We aren’t just hearing from recent after- signing,
teens and young adults, and that noon at the Jamie has re-
has been a great thing,” Eva tells local library. ceived many
us. “People of all ages are checking They sent out cards telling
in. Each of us may be in a different i nv i t a t i o n s her that her
place as far as our fluency and how and gave each book has
open we are about are stuttering, person who been helping
but we have a strong bond that con- attended an other people
nects. Thanks to all the members, autographed who stutter.
without them it would just be a copy of Several par-
page and not a group!!!” Trouble at ents and
One of the initial goals was to Recess. Jamie autographs a copy at her book t e a c h e r s
provide insight, awareness, and They also signing in March. who attend-
education to those who do not took dona- ed the book
stutter. Those who stutter gener- tions so that signing re-
ally agree that it is nearly impos- Jamie, at
every ele- center, reads ported that
sible to adequately explain to a mentary
fluent person the difficulty and her book as teasing is a
school library others follow u n i v e r s a l
depth of emotion involved. in our city topic and
A common description shared by along.
will have a Jamie’s
many who stutter is “exhaustion.” copy of her book would
One member recently posted, book. Jamie’s be encour-
“Most people live day by day, but parents have been active in learn- aging for all children. The book
stutterers live word by word.” So, ing about stuttering, and they signing was a chance to cele-
if you are a parent, relative, teach- went to the Stuttering Foundation brate Jamie’s accomplishment,
er, classmate, employer, or even a website and did their own re- teach others about stuttering and
stranger who spoke with a stutterer search. teasing and to further develop
today, please take a few minutes to They made a “Fact Sheet Jamie’s self-confidence.
take a look into what is being said about Stuttering” and passed As a speech therapist this ex-
by those who so want to be heard. this out to all who attended the perience has been especially re-
Speaking of being heard, another book signing. Many parents warding and exciting for me. I
update on our incredibly busy and were surprised to learn: the inci- learned more about stuttering,
goal-oriented Eva is in order. She is dence of stuttering is 1-3% of stuttering therapy and how to
still studying hard at Northwestern the population, many famous access feelings and thoughts
State University in Alva, Oka. and people stutter, and how to make through art and writing. K
Continued on page 16
8. THE
STUTTERING
8 FOUNDATION
www.stutteringhelp.org 800-992-9392
Smith CND could produce all four
continued front page 1
Where’s Nick? tests of the brain’s activity in pro-
nonwords correctly.
Actor Nick Brendon has land- Clearly in terms of these behav-
cessing language, and studies of ioral results, the children who are
ed a recurring rule speech production in which we
on the CBS drama stuttering do not do as well when
record muscle activity and motion asked to produce novel speech se-
Criminal Minds, of the articulators.
playing Kevin quences.
The goal of the project is to de- During the nonword experi-
Lynch, a technical termine if the results of these tests
analyst for the FBI. ment, we record the motions of
will help us to predict which 4 and the lips and jaw. We are able to
Brendon, who’s 5-year-old children who are stut-
a spokesperson for look at oral coordination during
tering are likely to persist. production of the novel non-
the Stuttering Foundation, is also One of the speech production
working on Super Cat, an ani- words. We analyzed data for the
tasks that our kids do involves pro- nonword, "mab" since all the
mated project in which he voices ducing what we call “novel non-
the lead character. children could produce it. Given
words.” These are words like “mab” how simple and short this non-
Visit www.nickbrendon.com which sound OK in English, but
for more news on the actor. word is, we did not expect that
which are meaningless. We de- CWS would be less able to gen-
signed a set of four nonwords of in- erate a motor program and pro-
Sporty Readers Win creasing difficulty, so that “mab” is
the easiest one, and “mab-
duce it. Surprisingly though,
CWS were significantly more
In the winter newsletter we shaytiedoib” is variable com-
asked readers to guess who was the most difficult. pared to CND in
added to the Famous People When we tested ... the goal is to their coordina-
brochure. The answer, of course, adults who stut-
is Darren Sproles. ter, we found that
predict which tive patterns
over 10 produc-
The first three they could pro- children who are tions of “mab.”
winners were duce the words stuttering are likely Thus, we can
given T-shirts. correctly after
The winners hearing them, but
to persist. see that already,
in the earliest
are Juanita Sirois they showed years of stutter-
of Williamsburg, more variability ing, even when the child's pro-
Va., Julie Peters in their oral movements, suggest- duction is accurate and no dis-
of Asland, Va., and Linda Wyatt ing that hearing, encoding, plan- fluency is perceived, the under-
of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. ning, and producing a novel speech lying patterns of speech move-
Runners up include Michelle sequence was a much more diffi- ment are different. Are the chil-
O’Loughlin, Lisa Burroughs, cult task for them compared to nor- dren who perform most poorly
Paul Blackburn, Marilyn mally fluent adults. on this nonword repetition task
Burgin, Mary Eileen Moore, Is this lower ability to encode the ones most likely to persist in
Rita McIntyre, Mike Molini, and produce new sound sequences stuttering? We will be able to an-
and Andrew Bathish. present at the onset of stuttering? swer that question in the later
Or is it something that develops years of our project.
after many years of disfluency? We are truly excited about the
Our experiment is designed to an- potential for this work to have
swer this question. major implications for treating
So far in the “mab” nonword young children who stutter.
experiment, we have analyzed If you know of someone who
data from 22, all 4 and 5-year- has a child who stutters and lives
Camp Our Time will be held old children who stutter (CWS) in our area (Lafayette, Indiana),
Aug. 10-17, 2008. It is an arts and 14 children who are normal- please ask them to contact us at
camp for young people who ly developing (CND). brownb@purdue.edu. K
stutter and their siblings, ages Interestingly, we found that all
8-15. Camp Our Time will take of the children could produce
place in Rock Hill, N.Y., 90
minutes from New York City.
For more information call
the simplest nonword, "mab"
correctly. However, on the more
difficult items, such as “mab-
T
he Stuttering Foundation of America is a
tax-exempt organization under section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
and is classified as a private operating foundation
212-414-9696, e-mail camp@ shibe,” only about 25% of the as defined in section 4942(j)(3). Charitable contri-
ourtimetheatre.org, or visit CWS could accurately produce butions and bequests to the Foundation are tax-
www.ourtimetheatre.org. K them, while about 88% of the deductible, subject to limitations under the Code.
9. THE
STUTTERING
FOUNDATION 9
SUMMER 2008 800-992-9392
Sometimes I Stutter A Recipe for Confidence
By Robert J. Heemstra By Joan Warner has affected our lives.”
Plymouth, Pa. Bob McKinney, LSH Specialist
The Stuttering Foundation was for Southwest High School, has had
Sometimes I stutter excited to hear from students in a great deal to do with encouraging
people may look at me strange San Diego, Calif. this group of students to inspire and
but do they know me? “We are a group of students who motivate not only themselves, but
stutter at Southwest High School in also others. “These guys are excit-
They hear my stutter beautiful San Diego, Calif.,” the ed … They are a great group of
students wrote. “Our group is com- guys, and I’m proud to be able to
but I am much more than that posed of five work with
Please listen to me students (all them,” Bob
bilingual) tells us. “I am
Please don’t look away whose stutter- always amazed
Because of my stuttering ing ranges at the maturity
Don’t judge me by that ... K from mild to they show
moderate-se- when they dis-
vere. We get cuss their stut-
together fre- tering with
Signature strengths continued from page 3 quently to dis- their peers,” he
a relatively high degree of atten- cuss our stut- continued.
tional focus and risk-taking while tering and “All our
participating in therapy, and may ways to control lives we’ve had
actively seek out novel experi- it. We have to overcome
ences while also being more apt to also done a se- These students from Southwest High ridicule, em-
take risks in both social and ries of presen- School in San Diego, Calif., meet fre- barrassment,
speaking situations. The willing- tations with the quently to discuss stuttering and how and despera-
ness and ability to take risks has purpose of ed- to control it. They have also done a tion, but being
long been considered a trait im- ucating our series of presentations to educate in this group,
portant to progress across all school regard- other students about stuttering. The we’ve learned
types of therapies (Yalom, 2002). ing stuttering. students are (from left) Fernando, to accept, and
It is my hope that future research We would like Irvin, Adrian, Andres, and Christian. to be proud of
will focus on how temperament to reach out to who we are.”
and other client and clinician at- all people who They go on to
tributes interact with the tech- stutter and tell them that they say, “We are no different than any-
niques we teach to influence the should not be ashamed of one one else besides the fact that it takes
outcome of stuttering therapy. small part of themselves, but be time to say what we want to say.”
proud of who they are and what On a recent field trip, the guys
References: they can achieve.” made their presentation to a group
Arnold, H., Conture, E., & Walden, T. These five teens are worth re- of school district psychologists. It
(2004). Relation of temperamental
characteristics to picture-naming prac-
marking on for a number of rea- afforded this group of profession-
tice effects in children who stutter: sons – all of which are “ingredi- als the opportunity to receive a re-
Preliminary findings. Poster presented ents” in the recipe for confidence. alistic and heart-felt “lesson” on a
at the annual meeting of the American In their own words, Andres, often misunderstood disability.
Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Fernando, Irvin, Adrian and So, what is in the “recipe” for con-
Philadelphia, PA. Christian, tell us, “We are a group fidence? Apparently, some very
Seligman, M (2002). Authentic happi- of students who stutter … Our solid ingredients including support,
ness: Using the new positive psycholo-
gy to realize your potential for lasting
group rendezvous once every encouragement, perseverance, ma-
fulfillment. Free Press. week to discuss how stuttering has turity, inspiration, motivation, and a
Wampold, B.E., Mondin, G.W., affected us recently (in either a dash of being proud of one’s ac-
Moody M., Stich, F., Benson, K. & positive or negative way).” But complishments. In the boys’
Ahn, H. (1997). A meta-analysis of they don’t stop there, talking words, “We believe that confidence
outcome studies comparing bona fide among themselves. “Our group is the best cure for stuttering.”
psychotherapies: Empirically, “all has presented several times to high Please see their exceptional pre-
must have prizes.” Psychological
Bulletin, 122, 203-215.
school students (and once each to sentation at:
Yalom, I. (2002). The Gift of the school district’s speech pathol- http://blog.suhsd.k12.ca.us/index.
Therapy. New York: Perennial; Harper ogists, psychologists, and support php?/specialservices/detail/stut-
Collins. K staff) what stuttering is and how it tering_presentation/ K
10. THE
STUTTERING
10 FOUNDATION 800-992-9392
www.stutteringhelp.org
Curlee cause to do so – no doubt con-
continued from page 4
Help Not Lost Foundation of America memorial
tributed to the many students who
sought his advice, counsel, and
in Translation fund has been established in
honor and memory of Dr. Richard
mentoring. A mentor’s mentor,
Dr. Curlee acted like a bridge, for
Chinese parents now have an- F. Curlee. many students, seeing in them
other tool if their child stutters. Among his peers, Dr Curlee was more than they saw in themselves,
Jennifer Tseng, who attended known for his taking them
the 2005 Stuttering Foundation even-handed, from where they
workshop in precise and were to where
Iowa, went thoughtful schol- they could
home deter- arship. Curlee and/or wanted to
mined to help was well regard- be.
bring new infor- ed for his early Survived
mation to new scholarly at- by his lovely
compatriots. tempts to apply wife and soul
This new and/or test the mate, Jennie,
book, a transla- tenets of learning Dick will be
tion of If Your theory relative to missed terribly
Child Stutters: Jennifer stuttering re- by his family,
A Guide for Tseng search/treatment. friends, col-
Parents, is hot These ahead-of- leagues, and past
off the press and is sure to be an their-time schol- Dick Curlee receives the Malcolm s t u d e n t s .
important prevention tool. arly contributions Fraser Award for Excellence from Building off a
Meanwhile, in the Czech were followed by Jane Fraser in 2002. theme developed
Republic, Dr. Elisabeth several text- by Dr. Spahr at
Peutelschmiedova continues her books, aptly described by Dr. Dick’s memorial service, Dr.
outstanding work translating Ingham as classic, treatises that Curlee may be gone from our
Stuttering Foundation books. have stood the test of time in terms midst, but we will be reminded of
Her latest achievement is Do of relevance and impact. Dr. him in our daily lives. For exam-
You Stutter: Straight Talk for Curlee remains, to this day, one of ple, when we see some beginning
Teens. K the first to apply “expert system” scholar falter during a presentation
technology to the diagnosis of and their mentor, just like Dick
Czech version of Do You Stutter: early childhood stuttering, another might have, makes a gentle sug-
Straight Talk for Teens. contribution far ahead of its time. gestion from the audience to help
Recently, this writer was fortu- the nervous beginner. Or when
nate to co-edit the third edition of two academicians lock horns, over
one of Dick’s books, and the ex- theory or method, and a third,
perience of working with Dr. cooler head like Dick’s often was,
Curlee, his insights, wordsmith steps in and brings about rap-
skills, and common sense en- prochement.
riched literally almost every page For Dick was not only a gen-
of the text. Common sense, it is tleman and scholar but routinely
said, is not all that common, but practiced random acts of kind-
Dick possessed it in droves and ness. Indeed, Dick’s high quality
its use by him could be truly re- contributions were not restricted
markable as he quickly identified to his scholarly endeavors, but
the essence of a problem and, also imprinted his interpersonal
more often than not, a reasonable interactions. As Shakespeare
solution for same. (Merchant of Venice) noted,
Dick’s character, one could rea- “the quality of mercy is not
sonably say, was at least partially strain’d, it droppeth as the gen-
shaped by his experience with dis- tle rain from heaven. Upon the
ability, a concern he adapted to place beneath: it is twice blest;
and rose above to lead a life of It blesseth him that gives and
consequence, substance and pur- him that takes.” And Dick was
Chinese
pose. That character coupled with so blessed, as were we, by his
copy of If his “don’t complain, don’t ex- presence.
Your Child plain” personal style – even when “Farewell Richard, may flights
Stutters. his disability gave him plenty of of angels sing thee to thy rest.” K
11. THE
STUTTERING
FOUNDATION 11
SUMMER 2008 800-992-9392
Rocket Science continued from page 5 for words and reading, that I
A: Before Rocket Science came
found myself drawn into the Dream Team
power of film. I am who I am be-
out, I read some hilariously nega- cause of my stuttering and I’m fi- Tours USA
tive stuff on stuttering boards nally very glad for that. When
where some people worked them- Bob Love’s national school
you’re blocking on a word, you tour moves ahead.
selves into a froth imagining on wish it gone. But when you step
the basis of The tour includes showing
back and students Love’s documentary
just the 2 look at the
minute trailer Find Yourself a Dream!
big picture The docu-
that the lead there are
character mentary was
some great recently ac-
didn’t have a things that
real stutter, cepted into
come along the San
that this was with stutter-
yet another Diego Black
ing. Film Festival
bogus por-
trait of stut- and the screen
Q: Do you play for the
tering and anticipate
that they’d movie was ac-
doing any cepted into the
skip the m o r e
movie. I get Beverly Hills
movies with Film Festival,
it that people characters
are sensitive A scene from the movie Rocket Science. who stutter? which was held in mid-April.
about this but The documentary was re-
A: I think my next movies won’t cently featured on WYCC, a
what about waiting until you’ve be autobiographical at all so I
actually seen the movie before PBS station in Chicago.
don’t have plans to revisit that. WYCC promoted it with more
judging it? Luckily for me, I think But you never know.
most stutterers who actually see it than 100 commercials leading
really like it. up to each of the showings.
Q: What do you think of treat- The PBS station reaches 3.6
ment for stuttering ? million in the country’s third
Q: What has been the reaction of A: Well, in the movie, Hal Hefner,
your childhood friends and peers largest TV market.
my main character, gets no real help Love has served as a
to the movie, and to you after its for his stuttering. I have been lucky
release? spokesperson for the Stuttering
enough to work with some excellent Foundation, and is featured on
A: One old friend said, I had no people and have made some gains in
idea it was so hard for you. the Famous People Who Stutter
my speech because of them. I know brochure and poster.
Another said, I didn’t realize it that some people believe that you
was all so funny to you at the time. The documentary can be or-
should just work to accept stuttering dered online at www.
So you just never know. But the and not try to “fix” it. That’s never
truth of it is that the movie is only findyourselfadream.com. K
been my approach. I’m kind of a
vaguely autobiographical. It’s not born fighter when it comes to this
meant to be the literal truth of my stuff, and I like trying to lick a prob-
life as a teen, just an artful extrap- lem even if it’s thought to be unlick-
olation from that. able. I think most anything's attain- This poignant book, written by
able if you’re dedicated enough. K Kimberly Fusco, for middle and high
Q: If you could give a simple mes-
sage to high school kids who stut- school students features 14-year old
Now available on DVD: Cornelia Thornhill. Cornelia’s adven-
ter, what would it be? Rocket Science, which received 3
A: Sometimes you want to cut out tures start not only when her mother
1/2 stars from movie critic pulls her out of school but
those parts of yourself that are Roger Ebert, is now
frustrating or painful or make you also leaves her high and
available on DVD. dry with an elderly great-
different. But those parts are as re- The release includes a
sponsible as the good and easy is aunt in rural New
behind-the-scenes fea- England of all places.
for who you are. Stuttering makes turette, as well as a
you who you are and it can inspire Readers will be capti-
music video by film’s vated by Cornelia’s
some great things. It’s because of composer and singer/songwriter
stuttering that I got involved in de- courage as she struggles
Eef Barzelay (Clem Snide). with her own stuttering and copes
bate, that I developed a passion
with an upside down life. K
12. THE
STUTTERING
12 www.stutteringhelp.org FOUNDATION 800-992-9392
Sheehan came part of her growing staff.
continued from page 4
On the Loose However, Vivian taught me that
Joseph accepted a faculty position
in the psychology department at
We know our readers will be we could develop a valid under- U.C.L.A. and the Sheehan’s moved
surprised to learn of two recent standing of that experience by to Santa Monica, California where
retirements. listening carefully to our clients and she began one of the first private
Both Roberta Brugge and Anne paying attention to our “stuttering practices in the country. Vivian’s pi-
Edwards have equivalent,” something about our- oneering work in aphasia contin-
decided the selves we wish to hide to avoid po- ued. She founded an organization
time has come tential negative that later became
to enjoy more thoughts or reac- the Emeritus
leisure time tions of others. “Vivian’s contributions P a t h f i n d e r s
and grand- Vivian’s sharp went far beyond Program at Santa
motherhood! mind and wonder- her stellar record of Monica College,
Callers will ful sense of humor providing rehabil-
remember delighted her clinical work and itative services
Anne who friends and col- service to the and support to
began working Anne Edwards leagues. We cele- profession and stroke patients
at the Stuttering brated the many and their families.
Foundation in things we had in the community.”
common. One day Vivian Sisskin Vivian received
the early prestigious honors
1980’s when she told me, “No, throughout her ca-
we were ad- we are not people who stutter”, and reer. She was named an ASHA
dressing en- then with a wink and a smile contin- Fellow in 1986 and was the recipi-
velopes by ued, “We just marry them!” Vivian ent of ASHA’s Frank R. Kleffner
hand. She had was married to the late Joseph Clinical Career Award in 1993. She
worked as a li- Sheehan, professor of psychology at was honored numerous times by the
brarian so was Roberta U.C.L.A. and father of avoidance re- California Speech Language and
tremendous Brugge duction therapy for stuttering. Vivian Hearing Association, the American
help as we pub- worked with Joseph at the U.C.L.A. Academy of Private Practice, and
lished more and THE Speech Psychology Clinic until his the National Stuttering Association.
STUTTERING death in 1983. She continued their
more books. FOUNDATION She was elected to serve in leader-
For 12 years, work as director of the Sheehan ship positions within all of the
Roberta was our Wednesday part- Stuttering Center well into her 80’s. above-mentioned organizations.
timer, taking over thank you letters Vivian completed her graduate Vivian’s contributions went far
to donors and keeping the mailing studies at the University of beyond her stellar record of clini-
list updated. Michigan and worked in the Battle cal work and service to the profes-
We call on them regularly for Creek schools during the day and at sion and the community. She in-
advice and help! K Percy Jones Army Hospital in the spired clinicians young and old
evenings. It was during World War with her wisdom and skill, and has
II, and soldiers were returning from been cited as the primary force for
battle with brain injuries. Vivian change among her clients who
Thanks for the Support scoured the medical literature to de- have recovered from stuttering.
velop what became the first aphasia Vivian was my dear friend and
Because of the ongoing support rehabilitation program in the U.S. mentor. I will never forget her
of NSSLHA chapters around the Army Hospital system. It was at warm smile, encouraging words,
country, the Percy Jones where Vivian met her and wonderful sense of humor. I
Stuttering future husband, Joseph Sheehan, a will always be grateful to her for
Foundation young speech pathologist who be- her guidance and love. K
is able to
provide re-
sources to Letters continued from page 6 Dysfluency Conference
The Eighth Oxford Dysfluency
those who Tuesday. It really helps me. Mrs. Conference, co-sponsored by the Stuttering
stutter, parents, schools, libraries, Miller helps me ease out of a stutter. Foundation and the Michael Palin Centre,
universities and physicians. I’m still learning. I’ve only been will be at St. Catherine’s College,
Oxford, July 3-6. Speakers include
NSSLHA chapters have done ev- to the speech room about 12 times. Paul Dolan, Imperial College, Marc
erything from bake sales to working I hope to learn how to tell people Shell, Harvard University, Patricia
the SFA booth at conferences to help about my stuttering. Zebrowski, University of Iowa, Anne Smith,
Purdue University, and Dr. Per Alm, Danish
raise the awareness of stuttering. Jessica Information Centre for Stuttering. Visit
We appreciate it. Thanks! Largo, Fla. K www.odc.org.uk. K
13. THE
STUTTERING
SUMMER 2008 FOUNDATION 800-992-9392 13
Sproles continued from page 1 ogy. In college, he worked with a Coming out of Kansas State,
speech pathologist to make inter- Sproles was one of the most pro-
National Stuttering Awareness views less difficult. Darren also lific runners and all-purpose per-
Week, which is May 12-18. got advice from basketball great formers in college football histo-
The brochure — which un- Bill Walton, who struggled with ry. He set nearly every school
folds into a small poster — is stuttering some years ago and is record imaginable - 23 in all - and
available free he is regarded by
of charge from many as the best
the Stuttering
Foundation. Q&A player in the 110-
year history of
Sproles is fea- An interview with Darren Sproles Kansas State
tured alongside football
other sports leg- Q: TV interviews are high pressure. In a previous interview
with a newspaper, you said you found "little tricks" to con- As a 5-foot, 6-
ends who stutter, inch running
such as Bill trol stuttering. What are some
of the tools that work for you? back and return
Walton, Kenyon specialist with
Martin, Ken A: “I have learned to take my
time while answering questions the Chargers, he
Venturi and Bob ranks eighth in
Love. As such, he during an interview. I don’t
have to be in a hurry to say the NFL in kick-
is the 18th famous off return aver-
person. Others in- something. I also ... keep my
words flowing.” age (26.7 yards)
clude actor James and 13th in punt
Earl Jones, return average
Marilyn Monroe Q: Why did you put off the
NFL and go back to college? (10.1).
and Winston Playing the
Churchill. A: “I didn’t want to do it but I
made a promise to my mother game has always
Sproles, who come easy for
became aware of before she passed away that I
will finish school first and then go to the NFL.” Sproles. The
his stuttering at spoken word is
age 4, says the more difficult.
problem became Q: The fact that you majored in speech pathology is very ex-
citing. Why did you choose it as a major? Has it made a dif- “I remember a
more pro- long time ago my
nounced when ference in your speech?
A: “When I went to college I majored in speech pathology grandpa told me
he was a star “don’t ever let
football player at because I really wanted to learn about stuttering and how I
can better my speech. I feel from me learning about it helped anybody tell you
Olathe North that you can’t do
High School and me find tools to help me out.”
anything because
at Kansas State you stutter.”
University. Q: What advice would you give others who stutter?
A: “Just work on it. Take classes and learn more about where Sproles said. “I
“I had to talk to always remem-
the media a lot, stuttering comes from. I remember a long time ago my
grandpa told me ‘don’t ever let anybody tell you that you bered that and
and once they worked hard to
put a camera in can’t do anything because you stutter.’ I always remembered
that and worked hard at improving my speech.” improve my
my face that’s speech.”
when it got bad,” “Darren Sproles
Sproles said. “I Q: Do you see yourself as an inspiration and role model for
others who stutter? will be a great
just had to work source of inspi-
on it. I couldn’t A: “Yes, I do.”
ration to young
really stress people who
about it, because Q: What advice did Bill Walton give you?
A: “Take my time when I talk. Don’t be in a hurry.” struggle with
that’s just me.” stuttering,” says
The 24-year Jane Fraser, pres-
old Sproles continues to take now an NBA analyst. ident of the Stuttering
steps to control his stuttering. He “I don’t have to be in a hurry to Foundation. She notes that
bypassed potential NFL riches say something,” said Sproles, speech therapists, school clini-
following his junior season and who learned to take his time cians, teachers and others often
returned to Kansas State to com- while answering questions dur- hang the posters in a prominent
plete his degree in speech pathol- ing an interview. place in their office. K
14. THE
16 www.stutteringhelp.org
STUTTERING
FOUNDATION 800-992-9392
Help Spread the Word about Stuttering Talk about Stuttering
Encourage your newspaper to StutterTalk is a self-help styled
National Stuttering do a story on stuttering. audio podcast that can be down-
Maybe you can set up a display loaded directly from www.
Awareness Week of Stuttering Foundation re- stuttertalk.com or via iTunes.
May 12-18 sources at your library. Greg Snyder, Ph.D., Peter
Send us pictures of how you cel- Reitzes, CCC-SLP and Eric
In May 1988, ebrated National Stuttering Jackson co-host the show which
the U.S. Congress Awareness Week. E-mail us at features
passed a Joint info@stutteringhelp.org. weekly,
Resolution The Stuttering Foundation can o p e n
designating the provide public service ads and discus-
second week of other resources to newspapers sions
May as National and TV and radio stations. K about
Stuttering stutter-
Awareness Week. This newsletter is published quarterly.
ing. Topics have included how,
Please e-mail address changes and why and when to use voluntary
story ideas to info@stutteringhelp.org. stuttering, stuttering openly
National Stuttering Awareness (avoiding avoidance), covert stut-
Week is May 12-18. Volume17, Issue 2
tering, relapse, non-verbal forms
There are many ways to cele- Jane Fraser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editor
of stuttering and much more.
brate it, educate others, and be- Scot Squires . . . . . . . . . . Writer/Designer
Listeners join the show by call-
come involved. Renee Shepherd . . . . . . . . . . Proofreader
Special thanks to Joan Warner, Patty Reed, ing in or emailing. Special guests
Ask your local radio station to have included Kristin Chmela,
Susie Hall, Pat Hamm, Lisa Hinton, Anne
run the Stuttering Foundation’s Edwards, Terri Jones, and Carol Ecke. MA, CCC-SLP who discussed
public service ads. recovery from shame, Joseph
Klein, Ph.D. who shared his
MySpace continued from page 7 this summer as Miss Emerald City. thoughts about job interviews,
working toward her degree in ele- Eva is just one of many real people Dennis Drayna, Ph.D. who talked
you will meet on SFA’s MySpace. about gene research, Ken St.
mentary education. Louis, Ph.D. who spoke about
Whether you are a person who
In early February she competed in stutters or not, you will see we are living with stuttering and clutter-
the Miss Northwestern pageant, all much the same: people with ing, and Taro Alexander who dis-
where a 2nd runner up place earned dreams, goals, accomplishments; cussed the Our Time Theatre
Eva “…a great experience and a nice someone’s friend, mother, or Company which is an artistic
scholarship!” Eva has also recently brother; someone waiting to be home for people who stutter.
qualified in preliminaries for Miss heard, someone’s hero. Come Tune in and join the conversa-
Kansas and will return to the pageant check us out! K tion online! K
THE NONPROFIT ORG
STUTTERING US POSTAGE
FOUNDATION PAID
MEMPHIS, TN
3100 Walnut Grove Road, Suite 603 PERMIT # 2078
P.O. Box 11749 • Memphis, TN 38111-0749