Reagan on National Stuttering Week

(See my previous post for more information)

NATIONAL STUTTERING AWARENESS WEEK
1988
By the President of the United States

"The uniquely human ability to communicate thoughts through speech allows us to share our ideas almost as quickly as they occur, with little conscious effort. But for the more than three million Americans who stutter, speech is associated with struggle. Rapid-fire repetitions of sounds, prolonged vowels, and verbal blocks disrupt the smooth and easy flow of speech and limit the spontaneous exchange of ideas and feelings. Many stutterers suffer frustration and embarrassment that can lead to harmful emotion stress.

Stuttering has a tendency to be inherited, and it affects four times as many males as females. Children usually outgrow stuttering before reaching adulthood. When the disorder continues or begins in adults, it is considered chronic and very difficult to control.

(Then the proclamation discussed National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders (NINCDS) research into using toxin injections into the larynx muscles which has proven not to be an effective treatment for stuttering)

The NINCDS leads the Federal Government's research effort on stuttering, funding projects around the country in addition to conducting studies in its own laboratories. Research supported by private voluntary health agencies adds to the growing pool of knowledge. These private organizations also provide invaluable counseling and other services to stutterers and their families. Together, Federal and private groups call attention to simple ways the public can help; for example, many stutterers improve their speech when listeners know to be patient and supportive.

To enhance public awareness of stuttering, the Congress, by Public Law 100-263, has designated the period of May 9 though May 15, 1988 as "National Stuttering Awareness Week" and authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of that event. NOW, THEREFORE, I RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the period of May 9 thought May 15, 1988 as National Stuttering Awareness Week, and I call upon the people of the United States to observe that week with appropriate ceremonies and activities."

Signed Ronald Reagan

Source

National Stuttering Awareness Week

Hello to all the millions of you who stutter of have family members who stutter!
Did you know many recognize the dates of May 11-17 as National Stuttering awareness week? Personally, I am quite aware of my stuttering through out the year, but when I found out about this I thought I should let others know also.

This was an idea by a person named Paul Castellano, with help from Barbara Koval. I'm guessing that in the mid 80's before things like the internet, many people didn't know squat about stuttering or that it was very misunderstood, and for those who did stutter there probably wasn't as much help and I'm sure many felt lonely. So determined people like Paul and Barbara took it upon themselves to start a thing like National Stuttering Awareness Week. Paul had a pretty severe stutter but he was able to muster up enough courage to present himself before several US Congressional subcommittees to raise much needed public awareness on the subject of stuttering. Paul and Barbara worked very hard to make NSAW a reality. Finally, in early April of 1988, Paul and Barb appeared at the US Capitol along with some important people for a ceremony that established NSAW.

Originally, this was to be a one time thing, but other organizations for stuttering have taken a liking to the idea and as it is, National Stuttering Awareness Week is promoted every year on the the second week of May.

So kudos to the efforts of Carl and Barbara and kudos to Ronald Reagan! They have done quite a service in being a major catalyst in spreading the knowledge and increasing efforts to make the problem of stuttering better for all of us. And to the people reading this, Have a nice week all of you! :)