"Die Hard" actor Bruce Willis and US Vice President Joe Biden were the 2016 recipients of the Freeing Voices Changing Lives Award by the American Institute for Stuttering. Both Bruce Willis and US Vice President Joe Biden suffered from stuttering from childhood but were fortunate to overcome the speech impediment.
According to The Hollywood Reporter Bruce Willis, with the help of family and friends, recalled beginning his struggle with stuttering at six years old. Among the memories Bruce Willis shared about his life, the "Die Hard" actor spoke about his experience in being bullied because of his stuttering and learning to defend himself.
Bruce Willis advised Freeing Voices Changing Lives gala attendees never to feel inferior or an outcast for any reason, not even a speech impediment as stuttering. The "Die Hard" actor also shared wisdom with parents as Bruce Willis reminded them to remain patient with children who stutter.
Bruce Willis explained that stuttering causes a lot of frustration in an individual, who suffers from the impediment. "It's easy to get frustrated with a child who stutters, but believe me, the one who stutters is much more frustrated," Bruce Willis said.
Patience, listening and encouragement are among the things that Bruce Willis recommends to parents whose children struggle with stuttering. Positive reinforcement also offers valuable healing help according to Bruce Willis.
US Vice President Joe Biden, on the other hand, had a colorful time demonstrating to the gala crowd how he stuttered when he was young. As members of the crowd laughed at his demonstration, US Vice President Joe Biden took the opportunity to highlight how laughter is not the best response to someone who suffers from stuttering.
According to US Vice President Joe Biden, people who suffer from stuttering have remarkable courage. "When you persevere in the face of struggle, you discover strength you didn't know you had and, I guarantee, you will need someday," US Vice President Joe Biden said.
The King's Speech on the life and struggle of England's King George VI is one of the most popular celebrations of triumph over stuttering. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Associaton 75% of pre-schoolers, who develop stuttering, are able to regain normal speech within months of stuttering.
Some do so naturally, while others overcome stuttering through speech therapy. The Freeing Voices Changing Lives benefit gala raised $700,000 for the American Institute for Stuttering.
