World congress
unites groups

Fraser honored in medieval setting

Mark Irwin

In May, the International Stuttering Association, the umbrella organization representing 45 self-help groups throughout the world, held its 8th World Congress for people who stutter.

The event was held in Cavtat, a picturesque coastal town on the southern tip of the Republic of Croatia. Delegates from 43 countries comprised the more than 300 people who stutter, speech pathologists and family and friends who attended this event. A highlight was the Congress gala dinner which was held in the nearby medieval town of Dubrovnik. It was the scene of formal speeches and awards including the presentation of the ISA's Outstanding Contribution Award to the SFA's Jane Fraser.

In presenting the award to Fraser, Melvin Hoffman of ISA said, "No one has done more to further the cause of helping those who stutter."

"It is a thrill to receive this award that recognizes our work on behalf of those who struggle daily with stuttering," Fraser said.

The first honorary lifetime members of the ISA are Fraser and Judith Kuster, of Minnesota State University, Mankato, and creator of the Stuttering Home Page, www.stutteringhomepage.com.

Following this event, there can be no doubt that the world has advanced in its understanding of stuttering as well as strengthening the bonds of international cooperation.

The next triennial World Congress will be held in Beijing, China, in 2010.

CELEBRITY FOCUS

Carly Simon

Carly Simon began stuttering severely when she was eight years old.

King George

In November 2010, worldwide movie audiences were presented with a most interesting and unusual movie release with The King’s Speech, starring Colin Firth as King George VI and Helena Bonham Carter as his wife Elizabeth.

Unfortunately, history may have forgotten the courageous and inspiring story of Prince Albert who stuttered badly and never dreamed that he would ever be king when his older brother, King Edward VIII, abruptly abdicated the throne in 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee.

Bruce Willis

While the world knows Bruce Willis as an A-list actor, few know that he struggled with stuttering throughout his first 20 years.

Walter Bruce Willis was born in 1955 in West Germany to his German mother, Marlene, and his American GI father, David Willis. The family settled in David’s hometown of Penns Grove, New Jersey in 1957, and the couple has three other children.

Jack Paar

While Jack Paar is among the most prominent of the entertainers on the Stuttering Foundation’s list of Famous People Who Stutter, he deserves special recognition as he was among the first to openly address his stuttering in public. As host of The Tonight Show from 1957-1962, he spoke of his difficulties as a stuttering child and teenager, giving hope to young people.

John Melendez

He is a talented musician, actor, and comedian. Listen to a podcast.

International Stuttering Association

World congress unites groups