As a child, I struggled with a stutter. I vividly recall the frustration that would wash over me when I wanted to express myself, but the words would simply refuse to emerge. This often occurred when my excitement was at its peak, and my mind raced ahead of my mouth.
The unpredictability of my stutter was daunting. It could strike in response to a simple question or disrupt my storytelling mid-sentence. The most challenging moments happened during classroom read-aloud sessions, where my anxiety soared, and a single word could leave me feeling completely halted.
One particular incident stands out. After relocating from California to Maine, I was reading from a second-grade social studies book when I began to stutter. Instead of pushing through, I froze in place. My teacher, in front of the entire class, cruelly asked if I was “mentally challenged.” This was the early ’80s, and while she faced minimal consequences, I am grateful that societal attitudes have evolved since then.
Even as an adult, my stutter can resurface, especially when I’m fatigued or overly excited. For those who have never experienced a stutter, imagine those dreams where you are being chased but can’t run, or you try to yell for help, but no sound escapes your lips.
Our incoming president, Joe Biden, has bravely acknowledged his own stutter and has been candid about his experiences. This is crucial, as it helps normalize stuttering, which affects around three million Americans. While many children may outgrow it, for some, like Biden, it persists throughout life, often accompanied by bullying.
In a heartfelt essay for a popular publication, Biden recounted how a nun at his school mocked him with the nickname “Master B-B-B-Biden.” Experiences like these could easily have left him feeling defeated and unworthy of public speaking, let alone pursuing the presidency.
For young individuals like 13-year-old Alex Turner from Concord, New Hampshire, witnessing Biden confront his stutter while debating a fierce opponent on national television was transformative. Alex expressed to a local news outlet how deeply inspired he felt by Biden’s resilience. It’s remarkable to think of how many other children and adults he has impacted by openly discussing his struggles without shame.
When I was growing up, there were no role models for individuals with a stutter. If there had been, it might have made a world of difference for me and others facing speech challenges. To cope, Biden practiced poetry in front of a mirror, persistently pushing through his mistakes to improve.
Biden’s journey serves as a testament to hard work and perseverance. He exemplifies that anyone can achieve their goals, irrespective of what others may say or think. Through his transparency, he has illustrated that stuttering is indeed a disability. It can require moments of pause or the use of different words while speaking. Mocking someone for their speech is unacceptable and should be challenged.
No individual should face ridicule for how they communicate; it’s beyond their control. Biden represents a beacon of hope for the three million Americans who stutter, reminding us all that struggles are part of the human experience and do not signify weakness. How refreshing it is to witness such authenticity after the past four years.
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Summary:
Joe Biden’s openness about his lifelong struggle with stuttering serves as a source of inspiration for millions, normalizing the condition and encouraging others not to feel ashamed. His candidness highlights that stuttering is a disability that shouldn’t invite ridicule, reminding us that everyone faces challenges. Through hard work and resilience, he exemplifies that overcoming obstacles is possible, making him a powerful role model for individuals of all ages.
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