Sharing Our Voices NSAW May 11-17

Today, over three million people in the United States and seventy million people worldwide stutter.  A person who stutters, especially when younger, may be misunderstood by his/her peers due to lack of knowledge by so many. Like my experiences when I was younger, a person who stutters may feel isolated, have a hard time accepting their stutter, and may think that stuttering is not ok. However, there are two non-profit organizations that have changed my life as well as hundreds of others over the years. These two organizations are the National Stuttering Association and FRIENDS: The National Association of Young People Who Stutter. These two groups have helped me realize that being a person who stutters is nothing to be embarrassed about.

Every year, volunteers in FRIENDS and NSA work tirelessly year round to reach out and give people who stutter the opportunity of a lifetime. Once a year, people who stutter have the chance to attend one or both of these annual conferences where they get to share their experiences with others who stutter as well as their families. This is a place where those who stutter experience a culture filled with love, acceptance, and support by hundreds of others. More importantly, it’s a place where people can stutter freely and know they are not alone.

It has been astounding to see how these two organizations have changed the lives of many of us who stutter. The two videos I have attached give a very small glimpse into how these organizations have had such an important impact on so many lives, especially mine. Since becoming actively involved with FRIENDS fifteen years ago and the NSA three years ago, I have not only overcome several of my own challenges, I have also had the pleasure of seeing these two organizations give other people who stutter the confidence to overcome some of their speaking challenges.  With all that being said, these two groups have had a significant impact on my life, and it is evident that hundreds of other lives have been changed as well.

Volunteers in FRIENDS and NSA make other efforts as well to reach out to those who stutter and their families. These include one day workshops, fundraisers, and monthly newsletters, just to name a few. The NSA has also established several active local chapters across the country, thanks to the commitment of volunteers. FRIENDS holds one day workshops during the year in various parts of the country.  However, nothing beats the incredible and unique atmosphere that their annual conferences provide. With National Stuttering Awareness Week (May 11-17) quickly approaching, let’s help spread stuttering awareness and reach out to those who stutter and may feel isolated. While these organizations touch hundreds of lives every year, there are still plenty of other people we have not reached yet. So, please consider making a small donation, and please take a moment to share this story with others. Since FRIENDS and the NSA have both had a major impact on my life, the donations will be split between them. 

First, the donations will be used towards conference scholarships to help those who need financial assistance be able to attend. Secondly, since even today there is a lack of knowledge and education among the general public, these donations will also be used for materials to help educate this group, including parents, teachers, and employers, to name a few. Your generosity will have a direct impact on changing the lives of many who stutter. 

Although your contributions will play a significant role in this cause, sharing this story with others is just as, if not more than, important. By sharing this information, you are helping us reach out to the stuttering community and the general public. You are also playing an enormous role in spreading awareness for stuttering.  So, even if you are unable to donate, please at least share this story today with others. If you want more information on the two organizations, as well as more information on stuttering, here are a few links:

www.westutter.org
www.friendswhostutter.org
www.stutteringhelp.org


Thank you for making a difference today. 

Sincerely,
Ryan McDermott