summer2011newsletter:newsletter 4/27/11 7:56 AM Page 1

THE FOUNDATION ᭨

A Nonprofit Organization SUMMER 2011 Since 1947 ... Helping Those Who Stutter

“We have a voice. We have been heard.” , while accepting his Oscar for The King’s Speech

David Seidler won for Best Original Screenplay

The Stuttering Foundation featured on Times Square. The King’s Speech won Best Picture An Eloquently Golden Ride on the Red Carpet or more than five months, The Stuttering Foundation has been raising awareness of stuttering through sup- Fportive interviews about the acclaimed movie The King’s Speech. From its opening in November through awards season in Hollywood this winter to its golden coro- nation at the Oscars at the end of February, we have trum- peted the movie’s message of hope to thousands of media outlets around the world, including CNN, Time, PEOPLE, won for Best Actor the Los Angeles Times, Agence France Presse and The Washington Post. Equally as exciting is the announcement that our 60-sec- ond Public Service Announcement is included on The King’s Speech DVD, which was released on April 19. We hope everyone in the stuttering community will purchase their own copy to view and treasure this tremendously heroic story for years to come. Because of the enormously positive impact The King’s Speech has had on our mission, The Stuttering Foundation honored the movie, its cast and crew at a gala in New York City in April. At the gala, Foundation president Jane Fraser won Continued on page 12 for Best Director summer2011newsletter:newsletter 4/27/11 7:56 AM Page 2

THE STUTTERING 2 FOUNDATION᭨ A Third Generation View of the King By Jean Gruss her lifetime. the movie in the summer of Editor’s Note: Jean Gruss, the The king and 2009. , one of author of this article, is the grand- passed away decades ago, but the the film’s producers, found son of Stuttering Foundation Logue family Mark Logue through founder Malcolm Fraser and Mark continued to Australian speech therapist Logue is the grandson of Lionel abide by Caroline Bowen, who had Logue. the Queen published a paper about Mother’s wish- Lionel Logue in 2002. For decades, Lionel Logue’s es until she But it was only in April 2010 name was an obscure footnote in died in 2002 at that Logue found Conradi to biographies of British King age 101. help him write the book. The George VI. Mark Logue pressure became intense be- But thanks to his grandson and started read- cause the publisher needed the a blockbuster movie, he’s quickly ing his grand- manuscript by July in order to become the most famous speech father’s letters have a book in print by the therapist in history. when he inherited them from movie’s release in November. Mark Logue, with the help of his father in 2001, but he was Complicating matters, in late journalist Peter Conradi, July a Logue cousin discov- tells the story of how his ered a trove of new and in- grandfather improved the sightful material. “Everything monarch’s fluency in a had to be rewritten,” Logue recently published book, says. “We extended the dead- The King’s Speech. line four weeks.” Tom Hooper and Working from transcripts of David Seidler, the direc- the documents, Logue and tor and writer of the Conradi communicated via award-winning movie by the Internet to produce the the same name, consult- 242-page account. “We wrote ed with Mark Logue. the book entirely by email “Tom Hooper was in- correspondence,” says credibly diligent in get- Logue, who logged more ting as much of the facts than 1,000 emails to Conradi. as possible into the Logue took time off from film,” says Logue. work to meet the tight dead- As is usually the case, line. “He’d send me chapters the movie takes a few Mark Logue sits on the movie set of The as he wrote them.” liberties with the facts in King’s Speech. The book’s success has the book, though Logue, busy running a successful pro- been a surprise, Logue ac- 45, says he doesn’t mind. For duction company and raising a knowledges. “I never dreamed example, the first encounter be- family. “I promptly put it back it would get the attention it was tween the Duchess of York and in the box and forgot about it,” given,” he says. “I had no idea Logue didn’t happen like it did he recalls. it would be as big as it got.” in the movie. “The film isn’t a But in 2007, Logue started Logue routinely does three in- documentary,” Logue says. “I reading through his grandfa- terviews a day, including every don’t know that it detracts from ther’s papers again with the idea radio station in his grandfather’s anything. It was brilliant and of writing a biography. “It’s native Australia. “I’ve lost rewarding.” pretty difficult to go through it count,” Logue says. Lionel Logue was the king’s because it’s scrawny handwrit- The book has been repub- speech therapist and he protected ing in pencil on fading paper,” lished in several different lan- his client’s privacy even after the Logue says. guages, including Hungarian, monarch’s death, deferring to Logue began work on the German and Russian. “It’s been Queen Elizabeth’s wishes that the book in earnest after meeting published in two dialects of story of his stuttering not be told in Seidler and Hooper to discuss Chinese,” Logue says. summer2011newsletter:newsletter 4/27/11 7:56 AM Page 3

THE STUTTERING FOUNDATION ᭨ 3 Screenwriter Seidler Triumphed Over His Own Stutter By David Germain, AP German bombs, the sea voyage one day chronicle the king’s tale BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — and abrupt separation from his came to Seidler, who had decided Telling the story of the stammering beloved nanny. he wanted to be a writer while still king, George VI, has been a life- As George VI rallied his coun- afflicted with his stutter. time ambition for David Seidler, try, the young Seidler heard the “If you’re born with two con- ever since he subdued his own stut- king valiantly struggling through flicting traits — in my case, I was ter nearly 60 years ago. a born ham, but I was a stut- Born seven months after terer — and if you want to be George took the British Jane Talks With David the centre of attention but throne in 1936, screenwriter Jane: Did you, like my fa- you can't talk, you find an- Seidler grew up paralyzed ther, find an alternate word other channel, and that’s by the same impediment he for “hello” that worked for writing,” Seidler said. depicts the monarch strug- you and is the telephone still After college, Seidler tried gling to overcome in The a problem? playwriting, then worked in King’s Speech, the best-pic- advertising, Australian tele- David: Not really still a vision and journalism. He ture favourite at the problem. But through force . came to Hollywood at age of habit I continue to take a 40, “which, of course, is From just before his third breath and say...“David Seidler” or “this is birthday to age 16, Seidler when any writer with any David.” Never, “hello.” “H” was such a tough common sense is leaving Los stumbled and sputtered over sound for me and for your father. his syllables so badly that he Angeles,” Seidler said. lived in terror of speaking in His credits include Francis Jane: I think it’s wonderful that you respected Ford Coppola’s Tucker: The class, talking to girls, even the Queen Mother’s wishes. Was this because answering the phone. Man and His Dream, the an- you too understood the pain that stuttering imated feature Quest for “I had huge trouble with causes? the ‘H’ sound, so when the Camelot and Elizabeth telephone rang, I would David:Yes, that and the fact I recognized her Taylor’s TV movie Malice in break into a cold sweat, ongoing grief — and anger — at the prema- Wonderland. because I couldn’t say ture loss of her beloved Bertie. She always It was not until a bout with hello,” Seidler, 73, said in blamed his early death on the Windsors, and throat cancer in 2005 that an interview. his being forced to become the reluctant king. Seidler finally started on the “I don’t know if school story of George VI, known still works this way, but in Jane: “Being a success is very hard work,” as Bertie to his family. those days you had set you are quoted as saying. Yet you have already Seidler had wanted to places, and the teacher made a difference in the lives of many people begin the project in the early worked up and down the by re-telling King George VI’s story. In fact, 1980s, but Bertie’s widow, rows. If I could see her one might even say you have helped more peo- Elizabeth, the queen mother, working toward me and she ple in one fell swoop than anyone has! politely asked him in a letter, was just going to miss me David: If I have actually accomplished that, “Please, Mr. Seidler, not dur- that day, I would fake sick I’m thrilled. Indeed, if that is all I have ac- ing my lifetime,” he said. the next day so I didn't have complished in my life, I’d consider it a life Elizabeth was in her 80s to go to school, because it well spent. The feedback I’ve received from then, so Seidler figured he was so terrifying to be the stuttering community moves me pro- would have to wait no more called upon. There came a foundly. than a few years. But she lived to be 101, dying in 2002. period when I was actually Jane Fraser is president of The Stuttering Foundation excused from responding in The film is built around the class. I didn’t have to speak unlikely friendship between in class. It was that bad.” his radio addresses and hoped he Bertie and unconventional speech Born in Britain, Seidler devel- might one day master his own therapist Lionel Logue. Helena oped a stammer in 1940 on a boat speech troubles. Bonham Carter plays Bertie’s wife. to the United States, where his He eventually did, in his mid- Though he had researched family moved during World War teens, not long after George VI Bertie’s life for decades, Seidler II. Seidler, who had an uncle with died in 1952 and the crown passed also drew on his own experiences a boyhood stammer, figures his to his daughter, Queen Elizabeth in speech therapy. He underwent own began from the trauma of II. Soon after that, the desire to Continued on page 12 summer2011newsletter:newsletter 4/27/11 7:56 AM Page 4

THE STUTTERING 4 FOUNDATION᭨

Stuttering Foundation Makes Headlines Around the World We thought you would enjoy seeing the astounding media coverage we received on stuttering! It is mak- ing a real difference in the lives of people around the world. summer2011newsletter:newsletter 4/27/11 7:57 AM Page 5

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Nominated for Best Picture Colin Firth nominated Helena Bonham Carter nominated for Best Actor nominated for Best for Best Supporting Actor Supporting Actress

Tom Hooper nominated David Seidler nominated for Best Director for Original Screenplay

Nominated for Sound Mixing Nominated for Cinematography

Nominated for Nominated for Original Score Costume Design

Nominated for Film Editing Nominated for Art Direction summer2011newsletter:newsletter 4/27/11 7:57 AM Page 6

THE STUTTERING 6 FOUNDATION᭨ Stuttering Foundation in the News... summer2011newsletter:newsletter 4/27/11 7:57 AM Page 7

THE STUTTERING FOUNDATION ᭨ 7 Comments Come In From Across the Globe “I do believe the film has taken some of the “As a parent, stuttering has played an work of everyone involved. And ultimately mystique away from stuttering and hopefully extremely painful role in my life. I hope the sense of success and accomplishment will make life easier for people who stutter.” and pray for the day when stutterers, and that is also felt by both the person who stut- -Maryland all people with both speaking and hearing ters and their therapist as progress is made disorders, will be treated as capable and gains sustained.” “This film improves the social and occupa- human beings.” -Washington tional image of speech therapists, especially -Rhode Island those who are engaged in stuttering therapy. “This movie, by bringing the problem of The improvement is thanks to the stuttering into public spotlight, will unconventional therapist who does add to the understanding of this most not have an adequate education. misunderstood of human afflictions.” But what he has is an ability of -India noticing and understanding a real problem of a man who is expecting “As a lifelong stutterer, I think it help. He concentrated on a person really opened up the severity and and not on his/her disfluency.” emotions a stutterer faces on a daily -Poland basis. Coming from someone who has been laughed at, teased, misun- “This Oscar goes to all the derstood, etc., I came to realize that people that believe that stutter- there are an abundance of people ing can change ...and we’re who just don't know about stutter- gonna prove it!!!” ing. This movie has changed that -Spain and definitely given light to a situa- tion most people don't encounter.” “There has been a spike in -California awareness that coincides with the movie... Even amongst parents of “Bravo to the film makers and the younger children seeking to rule skilled actors in bringing this story to out possible stuttering v. normal the public forum and allowing those dysfluency.” A poster advertising The King’s Speech in Argentina. of us in the field of Communication -Washington Sciences and Disorders to highlight the hard work done by both those who stut- “I can’t tell you how much of a positive “I have been deeply moved by this ter and those who provide thoughtful, well- impact the movie has had on me. Of course, great movie which has given me new op- researched and personalized intervention!” I've read every article I could get about the portunities to share and discuss with oth- -Washington movie and the feedback of individuals who ers this often misunderstood disorder. I stutter. I had no idea how many young pro- work as a speech therapist in the public “My grandson has a stuttering problem. fessionals feel exactly as my son does con- schools, and I have found teachers and The movie helped him realize that many peo- cerning their speech.” other staff addressing me with questions ple including very prominent people have this -Rhode Island and bringing genuine interest to know problem with speaking.” more about stuttering and how they can -North Carolina “I stutter and am also an SLP. Family, better help students. I think the movie has friends, students and acquaintances have all brought to all of us revival energy to keep “Awareness of stuttering is so important. asked if I felt the portrayal of “the King who working hard to improve the life of peo- Hopefully, the message of the movie will be stuttered and his therapist” was an accurate ple who stutter.” conveyed to people who meet stutterers and portrayal of both stuttering and intervention. -Massachusetts have no idea how to deal with it (or, even worse, I am always so pleased to have a conversa- choose not to deal with it) and to help them un- tion about stuttering and intervention and “This excellent story of both individuals, derstand that those with this disability can carry this amazing movie allows those conversa- the one who stutters and the therapist as well out their responsibilities in superior fashion.” tions to more frequently take place!!” as their families, accurately portrays the -Rhode Island -Washington frustration, hope and realm of emotion sur- rounding both the condition and the treat- “This film has been one of the best gifts “As I watched The King’s Speech, tears ran ment; the highs and the lows of the hard we could have had!!! People are now think- a marathon down my face because many ing twice about stuttering. My family and scenes brought back memories of being teased friends understand "a bit" more my work.” & laughed at by my peers, and it reminded me -Spain of that gnawing fear I developed as a child of reading aloud in class. By contrast, other “I teach fluency coursework for graduate scenes resulted in tears of celebration as students. This year I started with a I watched the main character grow as discussion of The King’s Speech. a speaker and develop a friend- We had a rich and enjoyable 30- ship/mentor relationship with his minute discussion that ranged speech therapist.” from historical “remedies” to -California the importance of the client-clinician alliance. “The film brought back Students were enthusias- memories of therapy. I tic about this area of laughed and even cried. practice and excited They did a great job of about learning more in showing the emotions the course. A real behind the problem.” bonus for me!” -Alabama -Canada summer2011newsletter:newsletter 4/27/11 7:58 AM Page 8

THE STUTTERING 8 FOUNDATION᭨ Back by Popular Demand Stuttering and The King’s Speech Worldwide movie audiences focus on the lead character’s stutter- which he had devised, to gargle reg- have been presented with a most in- ing and speech therapy. ularly with warm water, and to teresting and unusual movie release Like many people who stutter, stand by an open window intoning with The King’s Speech, starring Prince Albert had met with failure the vowels in a fairly loud voice, Colin Firth as King George each sound to last fifteen sec- VI and Helena Bonham onds.” Logue’s practice Carter as his wife Elizabeth. began in Australia treating Unfortunately, history shell-shocked may have forgotten the veterans experiencing speech courageous and inspiring difficulties and he moved his story of Prince Albert who family to to continue stuttered badly and never his practice there. dreamed that he would Logue was able to meet ever be king when his older with the Prince and soon they brother, King Edward VIII, began speech therapy ses- abruptly abdicated the sions. From all accounts, throne in 1936 to marry Logue inspired his famous Wallis Simpson, an patient mentally by assur- American divorcee. ing him that his stammer- In an interview after the ing could be cured and completion of the filming of that there was nothing The King’s Speech, producer psychologically wrong Iain Canning said, “His with him. brother was famously Logue’s constant charming and Bertie was positive reassurances con- considered the dull-witted trasted the Prince’s hurt one with little charisma.” over past speech therapy When Prince Albert, who failures. King George’s was known as Bertie, as- official biographer, cended to the throne to be- Wheeler-Bennett, tactful- come King George VI, it is ly explained this negative an understatement to say attitude of the Prince: that his life changed drastically. in several speech “…..the disillusionment The film deals solely with George programs. When caused by the failures of VI’s stuttering and his relationship Lionel Logue, played by Geoffrey previous specialists to affect a cure with Lionel Logue, an Australian Rush in the movie, saw the Prince had begun to breed within him the speech therapist retained by the give a speech in public, he turned inconsolable despair of the chronic Prince to to his son and said, “He’s too old stammerer and the secret dread that help him for me to manage a complete cure. the hidden root of the affliction lay o v e r c o m e But I could very nearly do it. I’m in the mind rather than the body.” his stutter- sure of that.” The sessions with Logue greatly ing in the In his 1982 biography King improved the Prince’s confidence years be- George VI, Denis Judd writes, as well as his actual speech. The fore, during “Lionel Logue’s methods were nei- two enjoyed a friendship as well. and after the ther extravagant nor particularly con- When, to the surprise of the world, 1936 abdi- troversial. However Logue’s ap- Prince Albert abruptly became cation by his proach was not purely psychological King George VI, the new king’s older broth- and many of his patients had been re- stuttering was heavy on his mind er. While assured that their difficulties could be from the beginning as he knew that c o u n t l e s s partly caused by incorrect breathing. regular radio broadcasts and many other movies have had characters He required his patients to under- more public more appearances who stutter, this is the first one to take daily breathing exercises would put him and his speech in the summer2011newsletter:newsletter 4/27/11 7:58 AM Page 9

THE STUTTERING FOUNDATION ᭨ 9

This public service ad is now in magazines across the country. spotlight. Colin Firth re- cently assessed the situation by say- Stuttering ing, “His only job was to speak for the nation on live Gets the Royal radio – I mean, how cruel was that? …there is no recording yet, Treatment there is no editing Four kings: King for radio… this is Edward VII (far right), live to the his son George, Prince Empire.” of Wales, later George King George V (far left), and grand- sons Edward, later VI, who reigned Edward VIII (rear), from 1937 until and Albert, later his death in George VI (fore- 1952, has been ground), c. 1908. depicted among the prominent people on the Foundation’s list of fa- mous people who stutter. Now with the upcoming release of The King’s Speech, the world will be re- minded of the king whose live broad- casts 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 gen- tle and courageous man. After decades of characters who stutter being portrayed negatively in movies, it is thrilling for people who stutter to revisit          the story of King George VI; without a    doubt, they will be the first in line to buy     tickets for The King’s Speech!                         !              

THE STUTTERING www.StutteringHelp.org ® FOUNDATION www.tartamudez.org A Nonprofit Organization Since 1947—Helping Those Who Stutter

800-992-9392 summer2011newsletter:newsletter 4/27/11 7:58 AM Page 10

THE STUTTERING 10 FOUNDATION᭨

Tireless SFA Ambassador Woos Oprah By Joan Warner With Oprah’s journey a public Like David Seidler said in his record, one doesn’t have to do Oscar acceptance speech for The much digging to know her King’s Speech - “We have a hometown, high school, first voice. We have been heard”- job, progress to Chicago and be- Stuttering Foundation friend, pa- yond. Therefore, appealing to tron, and unofficial Public her personal interest in commu- Library Ambassador Leon nities she has connections to and ‘Jigger’ Sirois has been espous- harbors fondness for is the goal. ing that sentiment for years. Since November 2010, Jigger Tirelessly working with his late- and his wife, Juanita, have donated in-life found fluency on behalf of Sports writer Dick Mittman, left, nearly 600 books and DVDs val- the Stuttering Foundation and all and Leon “Jigger” Sirois. ued at almost $4,000 in support of people who stutter, he too says the work the Stuttering Foundation we can be heard. final shows. The Oprah Show does. But more importantly, these And if there is one thing has a worldwide audience just resources are now accessible to the Jigger does not know the mean- waiting to hear that we can pro- public in diverse communities ing of, it is this: dreaming small. vide help. while simultaneously continuing Jigger has set his heart on win- And his plan to woo Oprah is to vitalize our treasured and irre- ning Oprah’s heart in her final not whimsical. For more than six placeable public libraries. 25th season of The Oprah Show. months Jigger has concentrated Oprah, are you listening? Now, he isn’t unrealistic, and his efforts on donating – in Jigger sounds like a man with never self-serving, so the aim is Oprah’s honor – Foundation re- the type of character you would not to appear on Oprah himself. sources, books and DVDs, to pub- find room to embrace. On his All he hopes for is a mention lic libraries across the country in behalf, we hope you can honor of this Foundation’s website and communities he hopes will cap- his dream, as he tries to honor 800 helpline during one of her ture her attention and her heart. Continued on page 12

Race Car Driver Still Revving to be Heard For additional information on how Jigger has never pleased…” “…it is our honor to provide these re- dreamt small, read about our irrepressible sources…” “…how fortunate we are to receive up- Ambassador in our Summer 2007 Newsletter and our dated materials…” Winter 2008 Newsletter (www.StutteringHelp.org A special thanks to all public libraries across and click ‘Newsletter’ link). From professional car the country for supporting National Stuttering racing to conquering his life-long stuttering to advo- Awareness Week May 9-15, this year. We appre- cating for early intervention for children who stutter, ciate all libraries for reaching out to patrons. Our to leading Toastmasters with numerous awards, this selected resources are free of any charge to any gentleman cannot bother with “not likely to happen.” public library by calling 800-992-9392. Special He always dreams big and envisions success! Library Ambassador Jigger simply likes to make The comments from libraries give gracious ac- this his way of supporting the Foundation while colades! “Jigger is delightful…” “…we are so honoring people and benefiting the libraries. summer2011newsletter:newsletter 4/27/11 7:58 AM Page 11

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Stuttering and Preschool Male to Female Data the Big Cats F 952 39.8% 2-year-olds M 1439 60.2% F 1620 33.5% 3-year-olds M 3215 66.5% F 920 26.1% 4-year-olds M 2611 73.9% F 625 26% 5-year-olds M 1802 74% 13,184 children

Over the last several years, the are male and female, it is inter- Stuttering Foundation has kept esting to see that the ratio of accurate data on the calls it has females:males differs across received from concerned parents the ages, with proportionally of 13,184 preschool children fewer calls from parents of 5- who are reported to be stuttering. year old girls compared to 2 The number of enquiries year olds. Alan Rabinowitz rises sharply at 3 years of age Research has found that girls and then lessens for children are more likely to recover from Shares His Story aged 4 and then further reduces stuttering than boys (Yairi, The Stuttering Foundation’s new for children aged 5 years. 2005). Our data would seem to hour-long DVD features conserva- Across all ages, we receive lend further support to this. Dr. tionist Alan Rabinowitz discussing more enquiries from parents of Soo-Eun Chang’s ongoing re- how struggling with stuttering shaped boys than we do of girls, re- search with preschool children at his life and his long-time relationship flecting what we know - that Michigan State University may with the endangered species he helps more boys stutter than girls shed more light on neurological to save. This intimate look inside the (Bloodstein, 1995; Yairi, 2005). development during these cru- life of one of the world’s greatest con- When we look at the pro- cial preschool years. (see SFA portion of those children who Newsletter Winter 2011) servationists is sure to inspire.

$9,979 Annual Audit 2010 This is the amount donated by The annual audit of the since we are fortunate to have an Stuttering Foundation financial endowment which more than Susan Hamilton, Thrina Parent, reports for 2010 was recently com- covers our overhead expenses, Marlene Taylor, Kim Feighner, pleted by the accounting firm of donors can be assured that their Frances Zanides and Mary Ann Cannon and Company, Certified gifts will go directly to support Vandergriff from money raised Public Accountants, Memphis, our program services. selling Cookie Lee jewelry at con- Tenn. Following is a recap of funds The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) ventions around the country. and expenditures for the year. private operating foundation The 3.5% of expenditures for which expends its funds on its administration and general ex- own programs and operations penses and the 7/10 of 1% for and does not make grants to fund raising are very low, and other institutions. Funds expended for: Creation, production, printing and distribution he Stuttering Foundation of of educational materials ...... $589,264 . . 39.4%. . . TAmerica is a tax-exempt orga- Public information and education ...... 323,307 . . . . .21.6% . nization under section 501(c)(3) of Educational symposia for professionals ...... 167,729 .. 11.2%. . . the Internal Revenue Code and is Research on causes/treatment of stuttering and therapy...... 254,869 . . 17.1%. . classified as a private operating Maintain Web site and toll-free information hotline...... 97,259 . . . 6.5%. . foundation as defined in section Total for Program Services:...... $1,432,428 . 95.8%. 4942(j)(3). Charitable contribu- Other expenditures: tions and bequests to the Administration and general ...... 52,283 . . 3.5%. . . . Foundation are tax-deductible, Fund-raising expense ...... 10,237 . .. . .0.7% . subject to limitations under the Code. Total Expenditures: ...... $1,494,948 . . . 100% summer2011newsletter:newsletter 4/27/11 7:58 AM Page 12

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King’s Speech Continued from page 1 honored the movie for raising awareness of stuttering “beyond The Stuttering any level we could ever imagine.” Foundation has printed King’s Speech awareness She also thanked the actors for posters, which are their “accurate portrayals of the an- perfect to display during guish faced by people who stutter” National Stuttering and for “opening up honest dia- Awareness Week, May logue about stuttering and its treat- 9-15. For more informa- ment.” Finally, she thanked the di- tion, visit our Web site, rector and screenwriter “for giving www.StutteringHelp.org us a hero and a movie we can look to for inspiration, much as my fa- ther looked to King George VI more than six decades ago.” Awareness Week, May 9-15, ing community,” Fraser said. “Our She also announced Academy 2011. “Colin and the entire cast focus during this special week Award-winning actor Colin Firth and crew of The King’s Speech and the months and years to come has been named honorary chair- have done such an amazing job will be to convert that awareness man of National Stuttering raising awareness for the stutter- into action.”

Seidler Continued from page 3 Seidler shared another experi- up and down on his bed, bellow- many of the tricks depicted in ence in his youth that Bertie un- ing profanity. He found it em- The King’s Speech — having his dergoes in the film — when the powering. mouth stuffed with marbles, king unleashes a torrent of cuss “If I am stuck with this stut- reciting while listening to music words in a burst of anger that ter,” Seidler recalls saying to on headphones. momentarily frees him from his himself, “you all are stuck with The King’s Speech director stammer. listening to me. I am a human Tom Hooper first heard of the At age 16, Seidler experienced being, and I’m going to talk, and project from his mother, who at- his own F-bomb cure. you’re going to have to F-word tended a reading of a stage ver- “Adolescence had hit, hor- listen.” sion Seidler had written. mones were raging. I couldn’t With that psychological turn, Afterward, she called Hooper ask girls out for a date, and even Seidler's stutter largely faded in a and told her son she had found if I could and even if they said few weeks, to the point that he his next project. yes, what was the point? I could- won a small part in a school play, “It’s clearly the best script of n’t talk to them on a date. This Androcles and the Lion (“I his life,” Hooper said. “He’s re- was the ‘50s. You did talk on played a Christian being eaten by ally writing about his own child- dates,” Seidler said. a lion in the Colosseum, and I didn’t stutter as I died.”). hood experiences through the Fury over his condition grew This article used with permission from guise of these two characters.” to the point that he was jumping The Associated Press.

Jigger Continued from page 10 Public Library, and public li- Oprah are currently in the works braries in Nashville, New York, as we go to press. you, to benefit countless children, So, we say bravo to Jigger teens, and adults worldwide. Detroit, Jacksonville (Fla.), To date, the resources have Denver, Albuquerque, the for dreaming big. And bravo to been donated to: The Chicago Hennepin County (Minnetonka, our public libraries – institu- Public Library, Los Angeles Minn.) Library, and the Miami- tions of learning, keepers of Public Library, The Eudora Dade Public Library, a total of the past, providers of ever- Welty Library in Jackson and nearly 500 branch locations changing resources for the fu- Attala County Library in across the country. ture. Dare we say bravo in ad- Kosciusko, Mississippi (Oprah’s Additional libraries slated to vance for Oprah’s support? We hometown), The Milwaukee receive resources in honor of hope to be heard! summer2011newsletter:newsletter 4/27/11 7:58 AM Page 13

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National Student Speech Language Hearing Association L ves the SFA

Carrie Anderson and Ashley Weede, students from the University of South Dakota.

Misericordia University 2010-2011 NSSLHA Chapter organized various fund raising events enabling them to donate $500.00 to the Stuttering Foundation.

These are the NSSLHA chapters that have contributed to the Stuttering Foundation. Thank you for your support! The Stuttering Foundation is this Chapter – Omaha, NE - $100.00 NSSHLA Loves Campaign – year’s recipient of the student-led Truman State University NSSHLA January through March 2011 fundraising campaign organized each Chapter – Kirksville, MO - $250.00 Misericordia University NSSHLA year by the National Student Speech University of South Dakota NSSH- Chapter – Dallas, PA - $500.00 Language Hearing Association. LA Chapter – Vermillion, SD - $500.00 Southeastern Louisiana University NSSHLA Loves Campaign – Minnesota State University NSSH- NSSHLA Chapter – Hammond, LA - $100 January through December 2010 LA Chapter – Mankato, MN - $100.00 University of Illinois – Urbana NSSH- University of Cincinnati NSSHLA Edinboro Univ. of PA NSSHLA LA Chapter – Champaign, IL - $250.00 Chapter – Cincinnati, OH - $100.00 Chapter – Edinboro, PA - $50.00 University of Arizona – NSSHLA Northwestern University NSSHLA SUNY Cortland Speech & Hearing Chapter – Tucson, AZ - $400.00 Chapter – Evanston, IL - $300.00 Club – Cortland, NY - $267.50 Bowling Green State University – Nova Southeastern University Lehman College – CUNY NSSHLA NSSHLA Chapter – Bowling Green, NSSHLA Chapter – Fort Lauderdale, Chapter – Bronx, NY - $500.00 OH - $150.00 FL - $500.00 Utah State University – Logan, UT - Clarion University NSSHLA University of Nebraska NSSHLA $20.00 Chapter – Clarion, PA - $150.00 summer2011newsletter:newsletter 4/27/11 7:58 AM Page 14

THE STUTTERING 14 FOUNDATION᭨ Meet Board Member Joe Fulcher This is the first in a series of research, and medical educa- bine the medical service opera- articles featuring Stuttering tion—was really interesting so I tions of the clinic and hospital. Foundation board members. was happy to stay on,” explains Fulcher retired from the law This article about Joe Fulcher Fulcher. His involvement with firm in the late 1980’s, but con- first appeared in Lovelace the organization has continued tinued to serve as general coun- Respiratory Research Institute’s ever since. sel for a few years on a part- Breath Magazine. Fulcher advanced through the time basis. Today, Fulcher is still a member of the LRRI oe Fulcher plays a valu- Board of Directors. Jable role in the smooth While Fulcher has been operations and financial ex- involved professionally with cellence of the Stuttering the organization for 59 years, Foundation. Since 1984 he he’s also been personally sat- has served in the roles of isfied with the medical re- Vice President, and Assistant search. Years ago, when he Secretary and Treasurer. He had heart bypass surgery at also serves on the annual Lovelace, he remembered the Audit Committee. times when Lovelace scien- His dedication to his work tists and surgeons were con- with SFA is an example to ducting early research on an the entire board and staff. artificial heart pump. “It was Joe had the privilege of gratifying to reflect that I had working directly with a small hand in supporting Malcolm Fraser, the founder of the kind of research that SFA, for many years. Malcolm ended up helping so many thought highly of Joe’s finan- people—including myself,” cial oversight and planning he comments. abilities that help SFA provide Throughout his career ongoing help to those who Fulcher was involved with struggle with stuttering. the evolution of the organi- “The Foundation is fortu- zation from three separate enti- nate to have someone of Joe’s ranks at the organization until ties–a hospital, clinic and re- capabilities be a part of this 1969 when he decided to enroll search institute—to a combina- important work.” said Jane in University of New Mexico’s tion of all three, and finally, with Fraser. “We have him to thank law school. the medical service operations for our success. ” “I heard a well-known speaker separated, to the organization say that a man should be repot- that it is today. He says it’s been ted every ten years. I liked that very gratifying to see LRRI he arc of Joe Fulcher’s ca- and thought it was time to do change shape over time as its Treer has closely followed something different,” explains breadth and depth of research Lovelace Respiratory Research Fulcher. While attending law expanded. Institute’s growth over the school, he continued to serve as “Under Bob years. Fulcher first interacted Administrative Vice President Rubin’s leadership with the Lovelace Clinic in 1951 and Trustee of the Lovelace this has become when he moved from his home Foundation. After earning his the leading respira- in Texas to Albuquerque as a juris doctorate in 1973, Fulcher tory research insti- part of a consulting team joined Modrall, Sperling, Roehl, tute in the world... charged with reorganizing the Harris and Sisk, a law firm in it’s unique. Having clinic’s accounting department. Albuquerque. watched it all these Inspired by the clinic’s work, Subsequently, he became gen- years, I’m thrilled with LRRI’s out- Fulcher joined the organization eral counsel for the Lovelace standing success. I see it as a tribute to serve as director of finance. Foundation and later of to the many scientists, physicians, “What they were doing—com- Lovelace Medical Center, Inc., and devoted Board members who bining medical services, medical the organization set up to com- are a part of its colorful progeny.” summer2011newsletter:newsletter 4/27/11 7:58 AM Page 15

THE STUTTERING FOUNDATION ᭨ 15 Dear SFA: Reader Response Send letters to SFA, P.O. Box 11749, Memphis, TN 38111-0749 or e-mail [email protected]. Speech Therapy Lisa, my speech teacher, Helps says I am an expert be- My name is Josiah and I am cause I have taught her a 11 years old. I love to play lot about stuttering. We football with my friends. I just did a presentation to stutter. When I stutter, I can’t my class on stuttering. We get my words out. Stuttering told my classmates lots of bothers me. I sometimes feel important things. We even ashamed because my words got them to practice some get blocked. The good news repetitions. We told them is that my speech is better. about some famous people Speech therapy has helped who stutter. We also told me to talk better and learn them about things they can new things. do to help and that it is Josiah, 11 okay to stutter. We de- Cheltenham, PA scribed how our speech helpers work together and I Like Me for did a poster on facts and Who I Am myths about stuttering. I StutteringHelp.org changed I am Austin. I stutter and I go to speech ther- really enjoyed making our my life! It gave me a list of apy. I tap in my head or on my lap so I talk posters. My principal and things that would help people smoother. If people make fun of you, you my mom came to our pre- who are talking to someone should say “thank you.” If people ask why sentation too. My class- who stutters, which my mom you stutter, just say, “My brain talks faster mates asked lots of good questions. I was excited to really needed. It also gave me than my mouth can go.” It is OK to stutter. If pass out snacks at the end. a video of how much I’m not I stutter, people in my family will say, “Please Brennen, 10 alone, and best of all, it actual- use your tapping.” My picture is when the car Berwick, La. ly gave me a feeling where I starts it goes “s, s, stuttering.” Austin, 8 don’t care if I stutter anymore. Teasing Hurts This was my real, meaningful Lake Geneva, Wis. My name is Varney. I am Christmas present and ya’ll in 4th grade. Kids laugh at helped me through my worst me because I stutter. My mom terrible things ever. I like me for Bigger than My Stutter and my uncles used to stutter. who I am and that’s all that really I stuttered a lot when I was Kids say, “ha, ha you can not matters. Thank you, thank you, younger but then when I met my talk,” to make me feel bad. Other thank you. I want you to know this speech therapist, she helped me kids’ moms used to stutter too. I really helped me more than you can be bigger than my stutter. She don’t tell on people when they ever think possible. helped me use talking tools. make me feel bad because they Madelyn, 12 That’s how I am now... bigger will say that I’m a snicher. York, S.C. than my stutter. Varney Mary, 8 Levittown, Pa. Duluth, MN Stuttering is OK Techniques Help I don’t mind that I stutter. It I Am an Expert My name is Carter. I was 5 doesn’t really bother me. But My name is Brennen. I am 10 when I started stuttering. But as sometimes it just gets annoying. I years old and in fourth grade. I I get older, I kept getting better try to stop stuttering, but I can’t. go to speech because I stutter. and better. Now I’m in 4th Nathan, 7 My favorite strategies right now grade. I feel like I don’t even Hamilton, Ontario are stretching and pausing. Mrs. Continued on page 16 summer2011newsletter:newsletter 4/27/11 7:59 AM Page 16

THE STUTTERING 16 FOUNDATION᭨

Letters Continued from page 15 teem which I got from a confer- going to another speech teacher stutter at all. Now I’m 9, so I ence where I met a lot of people outside of school. I think it is can understand more and more who stutter more than me. going to help me a lot. When I about stuttering. Even about Practicing and activities with grow up I’m going to be the lead how bad it can be. In 2nd grade, speech have also helped. singer in a rock band. I think I’m I didn’t know what to do be- I used to get teased but not be- going to be a really great one! cause I thought my friends cause of my stuttering. The real Peter, 10 would laugh if I used my tech- reason I got teased is because I am Homer Glen, Ill. niques. Now I’m not scared to missing a finger. I don’t get teased use my techniques. anymore because I don’t care Stuttering is Confusing Carter, 9 about having a missing finger. I I don’t like to stutter. Sometimes Richmond, Minn. feel like I’m a great kid and my it makes me and other people real- stuttering also doesn’t bother me ly confused. It also makes people Growing In Self-esteem because I have great self-esteem tease me because it sounds really now, and I also use my strategies. funny. Sometimes when I talk, it I started stuttering when I was Steven, 12 feels like everyone wants me to little, but I only can remember Richmond Hill, Ontario stop stuttering so they can guess stuttering from grade 3. Right what I am trying to say. When I try now I go to my therapist every Talking Fears not to stutter and get the words two weeks. Some useful strate- Hi. My name is Peter. I’m 10 straight out, it gets worse and then gies are pausing, starting in a years old and I am in 5th grade. I I repeat the words several times. easy relaxed way, and talking have been stuttering for as long But when I am calm and talk slow- slow. My parents, friends, and as I can remember. I have a fear ly, it helps me and it makes talking other people have helped me by of talking or when I have to read a lot easier then it used to be. paying attention and not asking something to the class because Sophia me way too many questions sometimes I stutter a lot when I Toronto, Ontario about why I stutter. am reading. It makes me feel like I have a little brother who is 5 and I slow down the whole class. No Turtle Talk he’s the biggest negative impact on one makes fun of me for that but My name is Avery. I am 4 years my stuttering because he interrupts when I do get bullied I can’t get old. I learned “turtle speech” - that a lot and talks fast. When he inter- my words out fast enough to de- means talking slowly. Miss Linda rupts me, I get very frustrated. fend myself. It’s really frustrat- and I pretended we were at the doc- One more important thing that ing. None of my speech teachers tor’s office. Some doctors talked has helped me is better self-es- has helped me at school so I am Continued on page 17

Written and illustrated by Gabe, Okla. — Once upon a time there was a boy named Josh. Josh stuttered. At recess, everyone teased Josh. Josh felt bad about himself. He thought it was his fault. But it was no- body’s fault. So that Sunday, Josh and his family went to church. Josh listened to the preacher closely. He heard the preacher say loudly in his deep voice, “God made everyone special in their own way.” So that got Josh thinking, “Is that why I stutter?” he asked his mother. His mother replied in a caring voice, as most mothers do, and said, “Maybe. Remember what the preacher said? Everybody is special in their own way.” So that week at school when it came time for recess, everybody ran quickly over to Josh ready to tease him and they did. But Josh said loudly, “God made us all special and different in our own way. Everybody should be treated equally no matter if they stutter or limp.” Then everyone stopped talk- ing and one boy yelled as loud as he possibly could, “Let’s play kickball and call Josh.” So now you know no matter if you stutter, you will always be special in someone’s heart. The End. summer2011newsletter:newsletter 4/27/11 7:59 AM Page 17

THE STUTTERING FOUNDATION ᭨ 17

Letters Continued from page 16 wonderful field trip to the Redondo subject is math. I’m good at it. slowly and some talked fast. Dr. Beach pier. When we were there, we Not only am I a good dancer, but Turtle and Dr. Snail speak slowly ate at the most wonderful pizza place I’m also good at sports. My favorite and Dr. Kangaroo and Dr. Rabbit called Zeppy’s. There are three boys sports are football and basketball. speak fast. I know how to talk both in my speech group. On the field trip, My favorite team is the Lakers. ways, but talking slow is good. we gave pamphlets about stuttering Sometimes when I talk, I have Avery, 4 to people in the community. trouble and I stutter. It’s embar- Jefferson, Mass. I started stuttering at age 3. rassing when other people are looking at you when you’re Please Don’t stuttering. When I stutter, I Interrupt say it more slowly so I can My name is Benson. I am say it better. My speech in the eighth grade and I am group at school has gone on 13 years old. field trips. We gave infor- My favorite mation about stuttering to school subject people in the community. It is science. is good to be a When I grow up speech expert in I would like to your city. I tell Benson become a doc- people that it tor. Some fun stuff I like to helps me if other people let do is make origami figures. Roderick Origami is the art of folding me say the paper into things or figures. words I want to say. Sometimes origami is hard Interrupting is not good. and sometimes it is easy. Stuttering is just part of me. Thanks for listening Origami is relaxing most of I am 11 years old. I have been in speech for a Stutter Buddies! the time. long time. I work on speech sounds but start- About my stuttering... Roderick, 13 ed stuttering about a year ago. I feel a little bit Torrance, Calif. sometimes I get stuck when sad because I stutter. The words don’t come I’m talking and I can’t say out when I want them to. My speech teacher what I want to say. Also, it is helping me talk better. Maybe some day I A letter from France would help me if people won’t stutter. Sometimes I cry when I stutter. Je m'appelle Iman. would not cut me off when Clay J'ai 7 ans. I’m talking. I don’t like it Hurricane, Wash. Je suis en CE1. when people start talking Le bégaiement about what they want to Dans ma vie, le bé- When I stutter, I feel like there is a talk about when I haven’t finished gaiement est énervant. Parce big ball of air in my throat. and am stuttering a little bit. que il m'empêche de parler. Thanks for listening! Sometimes when I talk to my friends and I stutter, my friends in- Dans ma maison, le bégaiement Benson, 13 vient parfois. Torrance, Calif. terrupt me. It doesn’t make me feel good when people interrupt me. Ca me dérange. Some of my friends don’t care if I A l'école le bégaiement vient Speech Group is Fun parfois. Je parle souvent à la My name is Allen. I’m in 6th grade stutter, which makes me feel good. maîtresse en in Torrance, California. Thanks for reading my letter! On Fridays, I go to Allen bégayant. speech at my school Torrance, Calif. Je ne suis pas contente du tout. with some other guys. Les mots sont bloqués dans ma My speech teacher is Stutter Buddies gorge. Je voudrais chasser le Mrs. D. The guys and I My name is Roderick and I am bégaiement de ma gorge. Allen have a lot of fun in 13 years old. I’m in seventh Parce qu'il speech. One warm day we had a grade in Torrance. My favorite m'énerve. summer2011newsletter:newsletter 4/27/11 7:59 AM Page 20

THE STUTTERING FOUNDATION ᭨ P.O. Box 11749 • Memphis, TN 38111- 0749

National Stuttering Awareness Week is May 9-15

www.StutteringHelp.org • 800-992-9392 • www.tartamudez.org

News Briefs and Emerging Approaches: Conventional 4Stuttering Foundation two-week and Controversial Interventions by Barry Foundation Gets Starring Guitar and Rebecca McCauley. 2009. workshop, Cognitive Approaches to Role on New DVD Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Working with People Who Stutter, Baltimore. www.LWW.com willRegistration be June 13-24, 2011, Closed at Boston 4Clinical Decision Making in Fluency University. Disorders by Walter H. Manning. 4The Stuttering Foundation’s five- (2009) Delmar Cengage Learning, day workshop, Diagnosis and Clifton Park, NY. www.cengage.com Treatment of Children Who 4Practical Intervention for Early StutterRegistration, will be July 11-15, Closed 2011, at Childhood Stammering by Elaine Portland State University. Kelman and Alison Nicholas. (2008) Speechmark Publishing, Ltd. Milton 42011 World Congress is Keynes, U.K., www.speechmark.net May 17 to 21, 2011, in 4Stammering, Advice for All Ages Buenos Aires, Argentina. by Renee Byrne and Louise Wright. Visit www.stutterisa.org for (2008), Sheldon Press, London, more information. www.sheldonpress.co.uk 4National Stuttering 4Speak Freely: Essential Speech Skills Association is holding its for School-Age Children Who Stutter by annual convention in Fort Mark Allen, Ph.D., (2007) Speak Freely Worth, TX, July 6-10, Publications, Evanston, IL, www.cfst.com 4Beyond Stammering, Revised edi- 2011. For more information, visit tion by David Maguire. (2008) www.nsastutter.org. Souvenir Press, London. 4Friends Who Stutter is holding Visit www.StutteringHelp.org, for a com- its annual conven- plete list of books. tion in Washington, D.C., July 21-23, 2011. Visit www.friendswhostutter.org 4The 9th Oxford Dysfluency Conference (ODC) is The DVD of The King’s Speech, Sept. 1-4, 2011 at St. which was released in April, includes Catherine's College, the Stuttering Foundation’s 60-second Oxford, UK. Further in- Public Service Announcement. formation is available at www.dysflu- This PSA will let the millions of Dr. Barbara Moore poses encyconference.com. people who view the movie in the with Mark Vidor of The Art Books years to come know that the Theatre of Long Beach, Calif. 4Stuttering: Foundations and Clinical Foundation offers free resources. The theatre donated a portion Applications by Ehud Yairi and Carol of ticket sales from The King’s H. Seery. 2010. Pearson Education. Volume 19, Issue 2 Boston. www.pearsonhighered.com Renee Shepherd ...... Editor Speech to the Stuttering 4The King’s Speech: How One Scot Squires ...... Designer Foundation. Before the show- Man Saved the British Monarchy by Special thanks to Joan Warner, Patty Reed, Susie Hall, ing, Dr. Moore made a lively Mark Logue and Peter Conradi. Pat Hamm, Lisa Hinton, Terri Jones, and Carol Ecke. www.Amazon.com This newsletter is published quarterly. Please e-mail ad- presentation and answered 4Treatment of Stuttering: Established dress changes and story ideas to [email protected]. questions about stuttering.