Happy International Stuttering Awareness Day to all our Friends!
We asked our Friends community to share thoughts on International Stuttering Awareness Day this year, and this is what everyone had to say:
“Managing stuttering is talking about it, being authentic, and being open.”
“I focus on connecting rather than stuttering. Stuttering happens, but I don’t focus on that. Stuttering just is.”
“Meeting other people who stutter was a pivotal moment. I knew there was a stuttering community, but it felt too hard to reach out.”
“People who stutter should be treated like everyone else.”
“Stuttering changes when we are more isolated versus having daily interaction with people. The daily interactions help to continuously push ourselves and feel more comfortable with our stuttering.”
“The only way out is through.”
“At Friends I realized existing is persistence. By stuttering, you are living in your truth and speaking the way you speak regardless of how others think of you. That holds tremendous power.”
“Meeting someone else who stutters, and seeing stuttering, is so pivotal. I immediately knew I was understood and seen as a human being.“
“Friends shows you that stuttering isn’t the most important thing about you, and that stuttering is not a secret. It’s just the way you speak.”
“There’s a reason it’s called a stuttering journey. We are always changing and evolving. I always leave a Friends conference learning something new that can add value to my life.”
“We understand the pressure of hiding stuttering, the sometimes long and challenging process of revealing our stuttering to our world, and the confidence and peace that we often feel after doing so.”
“How rewarding it is to say exactly what we want even if it means more blocks. We can work towards communicating efficiently, regardless of our stuttering.”
“Small steps like voluntary stuttering, allowing yourself to be vulnerable with a co-worker, and talking about stuttering with a friend are all actions we can take to feel empowered.”
“Friends has changed our whole family. Not just for our son, for everyone. Stuttering can’t be the cloud in the room that no one talks about, but it also can’t be the opposite. As a parent, you have to build the stuttering relationship.”
“Keep stuttering an acceptable topic. Don’t be scared to talk about it. It’s okay to talk about it at a time it’s not on fire.”
“Friends helped me create community when I thought none existed. It’s where my fire for advocacy started.”
“Some people may take longer to say things. People should just be patient.”
“Stuttering just happens naturally and should not affect what we can accomplish.”
What are ways we could celebrate International Stuttering Awareness Day?
Here are some ideas from your Friends:
❤ Announce that it is International Stuttering Awareness Day to your loved ones and then talk about stuttering or share a fun fact on any social media platform.
❤ Wear or use something related to stuttering (a T-shirt, sweatshirt, wristband, mask, pen, bag, mug) as an invitation to a conversation about stuttering.
❤ Participate in the annual online conference to celebrate the day.
❤ Invite people in your life (friends, family, teachers) to an “Ask Me Anything” about stuttering in honor of International Stuttering Awareness Day. You can post this invitation to any online / social media profiles, or text it to friends.
❤ Celebrate yourself today! Do something you love — this is your day!
We’d love to hear how you chose to participate in ISAD this year. Leave a comment below and/or join one of our virtual groups in November (register here) to share what building awareness means to you and continue being in a supportive community with your Friends.