In the wake of Bob McDonnell supporter Sheila Johnson insulting Democratic candidate Creigh Deeds for stuttering, condemnations have come in from national stuttering-awareness groups, weighing in on the latest development in the Virginia gubernatorial race:
NATIONAL STUTTERING ORGANIZATION RESPONDS TO POLITICAL RIDICULE
The National Stuttering Association has a question for Sheila Johnson, who ridiculed Virginia gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds’ stuttering:
Do you also make fun of people in wheelchairs, or do you believe that stuttering is the only disability it’s okay to ridicule?
The fact is that stuttering is a brain-function disorder that’s mostly physiological rather than psychological, and is often genetic in origin. It has nothing to do with intelligence, temperament or leadership ability. Stuttering affects 1 percent of the population, including 77,000 residents of Virginia.
People who stutter have succeeded in all walks of life and include actors (James Earl Jones), business leaders (Jack Welch), journalists (John Stossel) and politicians such as Winston Churchill, Vice President Joe Biden and Congressman Frank Wolf (R-Virginia).
There is no cure for stuttering, but most people who stutter can be helped by speech therapy and support groups such as the local chapters of the National Stuttering Association. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the facts about stuttering. Surveys show that eight out of 10 children who stutter are teased or bullied about their stuttering.
By the way, International Stuttering Awareness Day is Oct. 22. People and organizations around the world will be showcasing the facts about stuttering to educate the public about this disorder. (We hope Sheila Johnson will be listening.)
The National Stuttering Association is a non-profit organization that helps adults and children who stutter with support activities, educational programs, publications and advocacy. It’s the largest organization of its type with more than 100 local support groups across the U.S. More information is available at http://www.WeStutter.org, or by calling 800-937-8888.
Statement of Jane Fraser, President of the Stuttering Foundation of America
“It’s never acceptable to mock stuttering any more than it would be to laugh at someone in a wheelchair. We work continually– including a public service ad that ran in the NY Times Magazine yesterday to educate people about this tough disorder.
“Too many people still equate stuttering with being dumb. To imply that anyone is not capable of excelling to great heights or aspiring to our nation’s highest offices is irresponsible and hurtful. Many bright people stutter: James Earl Jones, John Stossel, Joe Biden and Winston Churchill to name a few.
“We clearly have a long way to go!”
