International Stuttering Awareness Day, also known as International Stammering Awareness Day, is observed every year on October 22. It was initiated in the United Kingdom and Ireland in 1998. The purpose of this day is to increase awareness among the public about the challenges encountered by millions of individuals who stutter or stammer.
What is Stuttering?
Stuttering is a speech difference marked by disruptions, known as disfluency, involving repeated sounds, syllables, or words, prolonged sounds, or speech interruptions. Individuals who stutter may exhibit repetitions (like D-d-d-dog), prolongations, blocks (a momentary absence of sound), or a combination of these.
Here is a list of 10 famous figures who stutter:
Joe Biden: Despite his occasional struggles, President Biden, since childhood, has battled stuttering. He has openly shared his experiences with CNN and continues to inspire others, serving as a mentor for young people facing similar challenges.
Emily Blunt: The acclaimed actress, known for her roles in My Summer of Love and The Devil Wears Prada, is a Golden Globe Award winner and a prominent figure on the Stuttering Foundation’s Famous People Who Stutter brochure and poster.
Steve Harvey: Renowned comedian, television host and actor, Harvey overcame his severe stutter, which once made public speaking a daunting task.
James Earl Jones: The iconic voice behind Darth Vader in Star Wars, James Earl Jones, a celebrated Broadway, television and movie star, received recognition for his contributions to advancing literacy, arts and humanities.
Nicole Kidman: Award-winning actress Nicole Kidman, known for her outstanding performances in films like Dead Calm and The Hours, gracefully overcame her stuttering to become one of Hollywood’s leading ladies.
Marilyn Monroe: Despite her stutter, Monroe, with her unmatched screen presence and comedic skills, became one of the most popular movie stars of the 1950s and early 1960s.
Elvis Presley: The King of Rock and Roll mesmerised audiences worldwide with his music, showcasing that talent knows no boundaries, even in the face of speech challenges.
Hrithik Roshan: Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan has successfully overcome stuttering. He also contributed significantly by funding the audio and speech therapy wing at Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai, India.
Ed Sheeran: English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, recognised for his musical talents, defied his stutter to achieve Grammy Awards nominations and win multiple British music awards.
Bruce Willis: With a career spanning over 60 movies, Willis, famous for his roles in the Die Hard series, found solace in acting, which helped him overcome his stuttering.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
First Published: Oct 22, 2023 11:51 AM IST
