Health & Fitness
Today is International Stuttering Awareness Day
Know a teen who stutters? They are not alone! Share this story with them today - International Stuttering Awareness Day.
Some people’s knowledge of stuttering is limited to having seen the movie “The King’s Speech.” Others know it only as character joke in a Porky Pig cartoon. For people who stutter it’s no joke – nor is it a source of shame. It is a communication disorder involving disruptions or “disfluencies” in a person’s speech, but shouldn’t limit a person’s happiness or choices in life.
Monday, October 22 is International Stuttering Awareness Day, something we can celebrate with a local twist.
Earlier this year, a local teen named Barrett Greaves started a support group for teens who stutter (TWST – Teens Who STutter), as part of the National Stuttering Association (NSA). Now it is evolving into a family chapter that will encourage younger kids and their parents to come along as well as teens.
“We play games, talk and have snacks,” Barrett said. “It’s a chance to get together with people like you, with no judgment or worries about how you speak. When we get together, what you say is always more important than how you say it.”
The next group get-together is on Tuesday, October 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in Palo Alto (4249 El Camino Real Palo Alto, CA 94306 - Antler Room, on the left when you enter the building). Speech and language pathologists who work with people who stutter are also invited. There are also other NSA chapters around the Bay Area.
The NSA’s motto, “If You Stutter, You're Not Alone,” is what the local support groups are all about. Local support groups are a proven way to build self-confidence, speak in a safe environment, and explore new ways to cope with stuttering. Chapter meetings are open to those who stutter, parents/significant others/friends of stutterers, speech language pathologists (SLPs), or anyone that wants to learn more about stuttering.
For more information, please contact: Mikal Greaves at Mikal@Greaves.net or (408) 667-6680.
If you know someone who stutters, please tell them about this monthly meeting – and join them in celebrating International Stuttering Awareness Day!
