Nevertheless, the experience introduces a young person to what it is like to be singled out.Įmpathy can easily follow. Many childhood disabilities are equal and more challenging.

Stutters are not victims, although they may feel that way at times. Imagine the experience of awakening each day, anticipating what potential humiliations await you: the shame, the likely bullying. John Hendrickson, a writer for Atlantic magazine and a stutter, has written eloquently about Biden’s speech impediment, including a description of Biden’s childhood. Such scarring stories don’t disappear easily, and I have my own. My students were being gracious and kind, looking at the big picture more than I could at that time. Another professor says “um” so often that we count, some said. I once asked those taking my classes if my stutter bothered them. While teaching at a university, I was a faculty adviser to psychology club students. A control stutterer, such as the president, still anticipates having stuttering episodes. For most stutterers, stuttering is situational - the phone, introductions, public speaking, and, of course, certain sounds are typically the most problematic.

Often, new friends don’t know I stutter or have ever stuttered. Afterward, Fox News compiled a mini montage of Biden’s stumbles that commentator Steve Hilton narrated with thinly veiled laughter. However, if you define a stutterer as someone who has faltered or thinks about the possibility that he might stutter in some situations, Biden qualifies as do I.Įvery president preps for the State of the Union speech, but Biden, according to reports, considered his speech impediment for his one-hour, 13-minute presentation.ĭuring the second presidential primary debate, Biden’s speech impediment was evident. In a poll asking whether they believe Biden stutters or ever stuttered, 80% to 95% say he has not. Like President Biden, I am a stutterer or, more accurately, a controlled stutterer.

Joe biden press conference stutter