The long run: Glendale native dispels myths about stuttering

Kaleb Brown

Submitted photo/Kaleb Brown

Throughout history and across professions, people who stutter have been successful educators, physicians, attorneys, engineers, entrepreneurs, executives and leaders; three were elected president of the United States.”

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The National Stuttering Association Conference 2027 is scheduled for July 7-11, 2027, at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale. To learn more about speakers, workshops, social activities or to register, visit westutter.org/nsa-annual-conference-2027.

OPINION — For too long, stuttering has been portrayed in the media as a negative or undesirable way of speaking. As a young man who stutters, I still see how these portrayals can shape the way people view stuttering and, more importantly, how people who stutter begin to view themselves.

If I could say anything to my younger self, it would be: “It’s OK to take up space, even when it doesn’t come out the way you expect.”

Some misconceptions I’ve observed are that people who stutter shouldn’t be in leadership positions or they’re less intelligent, less capable or less influential than people who don’t stutter. Studies and history have shown that there is no connection between stuttering and intelligence.

Throughout history and across professions, people who stutter have been successful educators, physicians, attorneys, engineers, entrepreneurs, executives and leaders; three were elected president of the United States.

This is why education, advocacy and community are so important. If you are someone who stutters, have a child who stutters, a teacher or a speech-language pathologist, or simply a person who supports someone who stutters, there is a community waiting for you.

Every mile has a purpose

As part of my advocacy, I’m running down stuttering myths/misconceptions one mile and one race at a time! With the support of the National Stuttering Association, I’m raising awareness, and funds that help the NSA challenge stereotypes and advocate for people across the world who stutter.

On Oct. 17, I’m running the Cave Creek Thriller 24K, and ending the year Dec. 13 with the Tucson Marathon to quality for the Boston Marathon. 

NSA is a nonprofit that is the largest U.S organization serving the community of people who stutter. In 2027, that community is coming to Arizona! NSA’s annual conference will be held in Scottsdale from July 7 to 11, bringing together people who stutter, parents, speech-language professionals, educators, researchers and advocates from across the country.

It will be an opportunity to learn, connect, share experiences, and challenge the myths and misconceptions surrounding stuttering. I hope to see you there.

Kaleb Brown is a Glendale native who graduated from Peoria High School and the University of Oklahoma. He is on staff at Phoenix-based nonprofit First Place AZ and is a former member of the National Stuttering Association’s WeStutter@Work Committee. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.