Why I’m ‘running down the stutter’

Kaleb Brown

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Oct. 22 is International Stuttering Awareness Day, a time to recognize the 70 million people who stutter worldwide and shift the conversation from judgment to understanding.

For the millions who stutter, this is daily life; not a lack of intelligence or confidence, but a neurological difference. This day should be an invitation to listen and hear what it means to live with a stutter.

For decades, stuttering was misunderstood in the media and in communities, often portrayed as a flaw to “fix.” As someone who grew up in the West Valley and was in speech therapy throughout high school, I felt like I needed to be fixed.

I told myself that one day I would grow out of it, but it never happened. It wasn’t until I got into college that I fully accepted my stutter. When I stopped worrying about how to fix it and stopped being critical of my speech, it took a burden off my shoulders.

That doesn’t mean it’s easy. I will never be able to fully “manage” my stutter, and that’s OK. I’ve built so much resilience and grit in my personal life that it leads to my work.

I believe people who stutter have a toughness about them that can’t be taught! The way we speak is unique and different. As stutterers, we have the ability to slow society down. I often hear that our stutter is our superpower, and I couldn’t agree more.

“Running Down the Stutter” isn’t about eliminating speech differences. It’s about chasing down the fear, shame and misunderstanding that often follow people who stutter.

Resources like the National Stuttering Association have been a game-changer for me. It’s had a profound impact on my life as a young professional. I wish I’d found NSA when I was younger. It’s the largest nonprofit dedicated to empowering the stuttering community in the U.S. Its mission is multifaceted, focusing on comprehensive support, widespread education and proactive advocacy. 

Editor’s note: Peoria High School and University of Oklahoma grad Kaleb Brown is a job coach who serves on the National Stuttering Association's WeStutter@Work committee. He lives in Glendale. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.