International Stuttering Awareness Day (ISAD)

October 22 was designated International Stuttering Awareness Day (ISAD) in 1998. The day is intended to raise public awareness of the millions of people – one per cent of the world's population – who have the speech disorder of stuttering, also known as stammering.
In 1988, United States President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Stuttering Awareness Week.

For folks who have the gift of gab, it's hard to imagine how difficult and aggravating it must be when the words you want to use do not flow naturally. Stuttering is involuntary interruptions in the flow of speech. It is estimated that 68 million people around the world stutter. People who stutter are not less intelligent than those who do not. Many experts believe stuttering is genetic. Four times as many males are affected with stuttering than their female counterparts. While there are no instant “cures,” there are various approaches that can help children and adults with stuttering.
It’s hard to imagine the embarrassment and ridicule people who struggle with stuttering must face. But it is important to note that many people who have struggled with stuttering have gone on to lead very successful and rich lives. Some have become famous actors, singers, journalists and leaders of nations. For example the Hollywood legend and sex symbol, Marilyn Monroe, struggled with stuttering. Her speech therapist taught Monroe to use what would become Monroe’s famous breathy voice to help with her speech. Due to her troubled personal life, her stuttering returned during her last film, Something’s Got to Give.