National Stuttering Awareness Week 2012

Today is the first day of National Stuttering Awareness Week 2012.

Nate, who turns 10 this week, stutters.  He has stuttered since he was about 3 years old.  He has been in speech therapy for 3 years now.

Stuttering is a part of him, but it's just that -- a part.  He has never let stuttering define him and rarely lets it hold him back.

Yesterday, he had his first horse riding lesson.  As we were waiting for the trainer, I asked him if he wanted to mention his stutter to her, or if he wanted me to mention it.  He said he wanted me to mention it.

But, you know what?  There wasn't a need.  It's obvious Nate stutters, but it was also obvious that it didn't matter to the trainer.  She listened to him, didn't interrupt him, and they had a great lesson.  Stuttering never even came up -- and I think that was a good thing.

In the same day, he didn't want to order his lunch because he wasn't very fluent today. That was fine, too, and I ordered his lunch for him.

After his lesson yesterday, he made this video.  It's Nate -- telling you that yes, he stutters, but it is just one part of who he is.