Made a big impact for those who stutter

A Pitt grad

Regarding “Parker Stewart Hasn’t Let His Stutter Stop His Growth” (Feb. 27, post-gazette.com): The PG’s Craig Meyer not only presented a compelling sports story but also put forth an indepth article on stuttering. I can only stress that I wish I had been as confident and as well-adjusted about my stuttering when I was Mr. Stewart’s age. His example to all facing a challenge is outstanding.

The fact that Mr. Stewart, a basketball player, attends the University of Pittsburgh is interesting because another Pitt graduate is someone who achieved success and then made it his life’s goal to help his fellow people who stutter. Malcolm Fraser graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and faced discrimination in finding a job because of his stuttering. Mr. Fraser as a result took the self-employment route and struck gold when he founded NAPA GenuineParts.

As a nationally prominent businessman, he founded the Stuttering Foundation in 1947, an international nonprofit organization that now reaches 147 nations. Mr. Fraser wanted to help people who stutter so they would not have to face the hardships he faced as a young Pitt grad. The Stuttering Foundation over the last 70 years has been famous for providing free resources to people who stutter.

Another Pittsburgh connection is that the current Stuttering Foundation newsletter has a biographical article on Pittsburgh Penguin Bryan Rust and how he handles his speech. This article is available on the internet along with other “Celebrity Corner” articles on other famous people who stutter, like B.B. King, Marc Anthony, Bruce Willis, Dominick Dunne, Marilyn Monroe and Sam Neill.

I hope Mr. Stewart is aware of the University of Pittsburgh’s role in creating the biggest and most farreaching organization for people who stutter in the world. ED DePHILLIPS Fort Lee, N.J.