Speech Therapy Gets the Royal Treatment

With the release of the new movie, The King's Speech, starring Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush, it is most timely to highlight the plight of those who stutter and the resources that are available to them. This incredibly complex disorder affects more than three million people in this country alone.

The movie deals solely with King George VI's debilitating stutter and his relationship with Lionel Logue, the Australian speech therapist retained to help him overcome his disability.

:I am delighted that The King's Speech will introduce a new generation of young people to the inspiring story of King George VI,' noted Jane Fraser, president of The Stuttering Foundation. 'He continues to be a powerful role model whose broadcasts of hope kept the spirits of the British people alive during the dark days of World War II. He even inspired my father, Malcolm Fraser, who founded The Stuttering Foundation."

Malcolm Fraser felt the same dread of speaking in public that the King experienced in the 1940s. Fraser, a successful businessman, went on to establish and endow the 64-year-old nonprofit in 1947.

alt text "While the film will be viewed as entertainment by the movie-going public, it will particularly resonate for people who struggle with stuttering on a daily basis" Ms. Fraser added.

Today's research shows that stuttering does indeed have a biological cause and can be treated effectively. There are speech-language pathologists worldwide who can help, and the Foundation provides a free list of these specialists at www.stutteringhelp.org or by calling 800-992-9392.

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Possible subjects for interviews

Editor's Note: Stuttering Foundation President Jane Fraser and Foundation Board member Alan Rabinowitz are available for interviews. We are happy to make arrangements at your request.

Jane Fraser

Jane Fraser, president of The Stuttering Foundation, co-author of If Your Child Stutters : A Guide for Parents, 8th edition. Since its founding in 1947 by Malcolm Fraser, the Foundation has provided comprehensive, up-to-date help to millions of people for whom stuttering is a concern.

Jane Fraser with Prince Charles, March 2010

Alan Rabinowitz, Ph.D.

Stuttering Foundation Board member and President and Chief Executive Officer of Panthera, Dr. Alan Rabinowitz is one of the world's leading big cat experts, and has been called 'The Indiana Jones of Wildlife Conservation' by TIME Magazine. Panthera is a nonprofit organization devoted to saving the world's wild cat species. Alan is also a person who stutters and that is what led him into this exciting career.

Alan Rabinowitz in the field

Stuttering and The King's Speech

Picture of Foundation President Jane Fraser with Prince Charles

Watch the movie trailer

CELEBRITY FOCUS

Alan Rabinowitz

Alan Rabinowitz, Ph.D., who passed away in 2018, was an explorer, wildlife conservationist, and author. He established the Hukawng Valley Tiger Reserve in northern Myanmar, which is about the size of the state of Vermont.

His love for animals began when he was very young.

John Stossel

John Stossel is one of the most recognized and articulate reporters today. However, he once considered giving up his broadcasting career because of his stuttering.

“Fear of stuttering can easily become worse than the stuttering itself,” observed Stossel. “The idea that I’m on television and making speeches is still a shock to me sometimes.”

Mel Tillis

Mel Tillis, born Lonnie Melvin Tillis, was an influential figure in country music, both as a songwriter and a performer. His journey to fame was marked by overcoming personal challenges, including a stutter that he turned into a defining part of his public persona.

Bill Withers

While Bill Withers has long been on the Stuttering Foundation's list of Famous People Who Stutter, many people probably didn’t realize he stuttered. He passed away on March 30, 2020.

Born in 1938 in Slab Fork, W.V., Withers was the youngest of six children. When his father died when Withers was small, he was raised by his mother and grandmother, both of whom worked as domestics.

Ken Venturi

As much of the nation watches the U.S. Open Golf Championship, it is impossible not to think about our late friend Ken Venturi. Ken overcame many challenges to win the Open at Congressional in 1964 and go on to become the voice of golf for more than three decades.

However, Ken faced no bigger obstacle than stuttering. Ken Venturi was a champion to those who stutter, going out of his way to share his personal experience when consulted by a colleague, friend, or child who stutters.

Press Release: King's Speech