Beaumont Hospital Helps Take Stigma Out Of Stuttering

ROYAL OAK (WWJ) - Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak is hosting a workshop this weekend for kids who stutter and their parents.

This one day event, which begins 8:30 a.m. Sat. March 22, will focus on providing information and support to kids, teens, and their families. Kids and teens will have the opportunity to meet others who stutter, while parents can learn from respected professionals in the stuttering community and connect with other parents in a supportive and safe environment.

Researchers estimate about three million adults in the United States stutter. Despite that large number, many people who stutter, like 27-year-old Cameron Francek of Royal Oak, feel alone.

Francek, who has stuttered since he was very young, told WWJ's Laura Bonnell he often felt isolated as a child.

"You feel extremely alone and I think that is where growing up is hard because only one percent of the population are people who stutter," he said.

Francek said it was hard to go through grade school with a stutter, but the college years were his biggest challenge.

"The most simple tasks, like introducing yourself or ordering a pizza and stuff like that are definitely challenging for people who stutter," he said.

Francek said his stuttering gets worst the more stressful a situation becomes, but it gets easier if he just lets the pressure off and tells people he stutters.

Despite the challenges that stuttering brings, Francek is living a full life and helping others. He's on the Board of Directors of the National Stuttering Association -- which is sponsoring this weekend's event at Beaumont Hospital.

For more information on the Family Fun Day, click here to download a brochure. (.pdf format)