Listen to some famous stutters. Bet you'll be suprised!
You can also go to www.stutteringhelp.org for a longer list of famous people who stutter.
James Earl Jones famous actor and 'The Voice Of CNN.'
James Earl Jones is a gradutate of the University of Michigan, two-time Tony award winner, a former Army officer and stutterer. Mr. Jones is known for his powerful bass voice and has lent it to such characters as Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in The Lion King. IMDb.com quotes him as saying, "one of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart you can't utter." He said this in reference to stuttering.
Powerful words!
Powerful words!
Marilyn Monroe famous actress in the 1950s
Marilyn Monroe is one of the most famous actresses/singers from the 1950's and 1960's. She sang "Happy Birthday" to President John F. Kennedy, starred in several popular movies and was also a model.
Follow this link for audio clip of King George VI speech. http://archives.cbc.ca/society/monarchy/clips/12704/
King George VI
"King George VI, who reigned from 1937 until his death in 1952, has been depicted among the prominent people on the Foundation’s list of famous people who stutter.
Now with The King’s Speech, the world is reminded of the king whose live broadcasts of hope and inspiration kept the spirits of the British people alive during the dark days of World War II. Younger generations should know about this gentle and courageous man." http://www.stutteringhelp.org/default.aspx?tabindex=822&tabid=835
Now with The King’s Speech, the world is reminded of the king whose live broadcasts of hope and inspiration kept the spirits of the British people alive during the dark days of World War II. Younger generations should know about this gentle and courageous man." http://www.stutteringhelp.org/default.aspx?tabindex=822&tabid=835
(Link) View more Scientology Sound Clips and Nicole Kidman Sound Clips
Nicole Kidman at the 68th annual Golden Globe Awards, January, 2011.
Nicole Kidman is a famous Australian actress who happens to have a history of stuttering.
She tells Newsweek, "I had one (stammer) as a kid... I just remember everyone always saying to me, 'Calm down, think about what you're gonna say,' and then I grew out of it.
"I remember when I was little just being so excited to get it out and I couldn't get it out."
*Usually, a true stutterer does not "grow out of it." If you stutter, seek help from an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist.*
She tells Newsweek, "I had one (stammer) as a kid... I just remember everyone always saying to me, 'Calm down, think about what you're gonna say,' and then I grew out of it.
"I remember when I was little just being so excited to get it out and I couldn't get it out."
*Usually, a true stutterer does not "grow out of it." If you stutter, seek help from an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist.*
It's important to understand that each stutterer is unique. What is helpful in managing your fluency may not be helpful to someone else who stutters. For this reason, I am not including therapuetic exercises for fluency on this site. Please see your speech therapist for specific strategies.
I will say that one of the most important things you must be able to do is become more comfortable with stuttering. Yep! Hard to believe isn't it? But that's the truth. That doesn't mean you can't develop skills to help you decrease your stuttering behaviors but part of achieving that is becoming more at ease with dysfluency.
It's hard work, but not impossible. Just read some of the quotes at the bottom of this page from other students from around the nation who also stutter. Get with your speech therapist and be willing to practice and know that together, you can do it! :)
I am including this short article from stutteringhelp.org.
5 Tips For Speaking With Someone Who Stutters Stuttering may look like an easy problem that can be solved with some simple advice, but for many adults, it can be a chronic life-long disorder. Here are some ways that you, the listener, can help.
1. Don’t make remarks like: “Slow down,” “Take a breath,” or “Relax.” Such simplistic advice can be felt as demeaning and is not helpful.
2. Let the person know by your manner that you are listening to what he or she says — not how they say it.
3. Maintain natural eye contact and wait patiently and naturally until the person is finished.
4. You may be tempted to finish sentences or fill in words. Try not to. Use a relatively relaxed rate in your own speech — but not so slow as to sound unnatural. This promotes good communication.
5. Be aware that those who stutter usually have more trouble controlling their speech on the telephone. Please be patient in this situation. If you pick up the phone and hear nothing, make sure it’s not a person who stutters trying to start the conversation.
Quote from www.stutteringhelp.org
5 Tips For Speaking With Someone Who Stutters Stuttering may look like an easy problem that can be solved with some simple advice, but for many adults, it can be a chronic life-long disorder. Here are some ways that you, the listener, can help.
1. Don’t make remarks like: “Slow down,” “Take a breath,” or “Relax.” Such simplistic advice can be felt as demeaning and is not helpful.
2. Let the person know by your manner that you are listening to what he or she says — not how they say it.
3. Maintain natural eye contact and wait patiently and naturally until the person is finished.
4. You may be tempted to finish sentences or fill in words. Try not to. Use a relatively relaxed rate in your own speech — but not so slow as to sound unnatural. This promotes good communication.
5. Be aware that those who stutter usually have more trouble controlling their speech on the telephone. Please be patient in this situation. If you pick up the phone and hear nothing, make sure it’s not a person who stutters trying to start the conversation.
Quote from www.stutteringhelp.org
If you stutter, you may find these quotes interesting. Do you identify with what any of these people say and feel?
I stutter and stammer too. It is embarrassing to me and gets so much worse when I am tired or stressed.
I must force myself to speak more slowly and when I can't get the words out, I see people looking at me like I'm stupid. Very embarrassing, but I try to carry on and not let it bother me.
My speech is bumpy.
My brain goes faster than my mouth.
(From www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=25)
I don’t like it when people ask me, “Do you stutter?” If they ask me, I say, “Yes, I do,” and keep on going. I get embarrassed when I stutter, but I always try to keep going. I think stuttering is like dancing. If you practice dancing you will become better, just like if you practice the tricks you learn to not stutter, you get better at not stuttering. It is all right to stutter. So many people do it, even celebrities do. If someone makes fun of you or doesn’t talk to you because you stutter, that is their loss. Keep your hopes up and keep on practicing. DON’T FEEL ALONE!
Courtney, 10
Greenwich, CT
(From www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=25)
I’ve been a stutterer for as long as I can remember. It has always weighed down my shoulders like I’m wearing a backpack full of rocks. It has stopped me from trying out in plays, doing extra-credit oral reports, running for 7th grade officer, and, in general, speaking aloud to any kind of audience. When I came to the Center, I was able to learn some new techniques to control my stuttering, ones that actually worked. Sadly, although “prolongation”, “pull outs”, and “easy bumps” had helped my stuttering, they didn’t really help my confidence. I could use the tools and speak okay, but it didn’t mean I wanted to talk to an audience. So Maria gave me a challenge to volunteer to read at school, offer to pray at church, and raise my hand if I knew the answer to a teacher’s question. This challenge terrified me, and at first it was like torture. Gradually, I realized that each time I did it, it became easier and easier. Soon it was no big deal when I spoke or read in class, and now I even find it fun. Stuttering is what makes me an individual, and I’m not ashamed that I’m a little different from everyone else. We should keep practicing our techniques to stay fluent, but most of the stuttering is in your heart. When you release the embarrassment, the sadness, and the stress of stuttering out of you, it will become little more than the nose on your face, the shape of your eyes, the color of your hair. Yes, I stutter, but I don’t care. It’s what makes me, me.
Megan, 14
(From www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=25)
I think it’s good for everyone to have a good sense of humor. I like Jeff Dunham and Dane Cook. I like to quote some of their lines to my friends and family. It’s easy for me to talk to people without bumping when I quote others, and it makes me happy when I tell stories to people that make them laugh. It’s also good to have a sense of humor when other kids say things that hurt your feelings. You just have to remember that they don’t understand and haven’t learned how to treat anyone with respect. Remember, bullies have more personal issues than other kids. Ignore them and remember always how great you are.
London, 12
(From www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=25)
My name is Jabaree. I’ve been stuttering for 6 years and I’m through with it. My stuttering feels like a basketball. When the ball bounces, I feel like I can’t get my words out. And when I shoot the ball, I drag my words out. Dragging my words and sliding are the best ways I use to not stutter as much. Some kids ask me why I talk like that, and I tell them I stutter. Most of them are my friends, and they don’t tease me. When I get teased, I try to ignore it and I don’t get mad. In all I’m OK and I like my life.
Jabaree
Pamona, California
AND MY FAVORITE...
(From www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=25)
Learning to manage my stuttering is like being in a band. You have to stay with the beat! My favorite band is Nickelback. My perception of managing my speech skills relates to rate and rhythm.
Hunter, 7th grade, Henrico, VA
I must force myself to speak more slowly and when I can't get the words out, I see people looking at me like I'm stupid. Very embarrassing, but I try to carry on and not let it bother me.
My speech is bumpy.
My brain goes faster than my mouth.
(From www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=25)
I don’t like it when people ask me, “Do you stutter?” If they ask me, I say, “Yes, I do,” and keep on going. I get embarrassed when I stutter, but I always try to keep going. I think stuttering is like dancing. If you practice dancing you will become better, just like if you practice the tricks you learn to not stutter, you get better at not stuttering. It is all right to stutter. So many people do it, even celebrities do. If someone makes fun of you or doesn’t talk to you because you stutter, that is their loss. Keep your hopes up and keep on practicing. DON’T FEEL ALONE!
Courtney, 10
Greenwich, CT
(From www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=25)
I’ve been a stutterer for as long as I can remember. It has always weighed down my shoulders like I’m wearing a backpack full of rocks. It has stopped me from trying out in plays, doing extra-credit oral reports, running for 7th grade officer, and, in general, speaking aloud to any kind of audience. When I came to the Center, I was able to learn some new techniques to control my stuttering, ones that actually worked. Sadly, although “prolongation”, “pull outs”, and “easy bumps” had helped my stuttering, they didn’t really help my confidence. I could use the tools and speak okay, but it didn’t mean I wanted to talk to an audience. So Maria gave me a challenge to volunteer to read at school, offer to pray at church, and raise my hand if I knew the answer to a teacher’s question. This challenge terrified me, and at first it was like torture. Gradually, I realized that each time I did it, it became easier and easier. Soon it was no big deal when I spoke or read in class, and now I even find it fun. Stuttering is what makes me an individual, and I’m not ashamed that I’m a little different from everyone else. We should keep practicing our techniques to stay fluent, but most of the stuttering is in your heart. When you release the embarrassment, the sadness, and the stress of stuttering out of you, it will become little more than the nose on your face, the shape of your eyes, the color of your hair. Yes, I stutter, but I don’t care. It’s what makes me, me.
Megan, 14
(From www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=25)
I think it’s good for everyone to have a good sense of humor. I like Jeff Dunham and Dane Cook. I like to quote some of their lines to my friends and family. It’s easy for me to talk to people without bumping when I quote others, and it makes me happy when I tell stories to people that make them laugh. It’s also good to have a sense of humor when other kids say things that hurt your feelings. You just have to remember that they don’t understand and haven’t learned how to treat anyone with respect. Remember, bullies have more personal issues than other kids. Ignore them and remember always how great you are.
London, 12
(From www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=25)
My name is Jabaree. I’ve been stuttering for 6 years and I’m through with it. My stuttering feels like a basketball. When the ball bounces, I feel like I can’t get my words out. And when I shoot the ball, I drag my words out. Dragging my words and sliding are the best ways I use to not stutter as much. Some kids ask me why I talk like that, and I tell them I stutter. Most of them are my friends, and they don’t tease me. When I get teased, I try to ignore it and I don’t get mad. In all I’m OK and I like my life.
Jabaree
Pamona, California
AND MY FAVORITE...
(From www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=25)
Learning to manage my stuttering is like being in a band. You have to stay with the beat! My favorite band is Nickelback. My perception of managing my speech skills relates to rate and rhythm.
Hunter, 7th grade, Henrico, VA