Make Room For The Stuttering

I wrote this poem about the different shades of stuttering as one of my contributions to the 2026 ISAD online conference.

Every Shade Has A Voice

The shades of stuttering bouncing around
Ever gently, maybe no sound

Filling word bubbles in my head
Do they know what I just said?

Are they nodding their head, possibly guessing?
Or maybe thinking, oh what a blessing!

Glad that’s not me, all sputter and spit
Do they know they look so, not fit?

Everyone talks one way or another
So why does ours sound so “other?”

Other? What do you mean?
Being here, but not really seen.

With all its quivers, waves and shades
Sometimes our voice just pauses and fades

But we who stutter don’t fade away
We’re here among you, every day

Hear us. See us. Be with us
Hey, you can even make a fuss

Because we who stutter have so much to say
In our unique and wonderful way

Whether quiet, loud, shy or proud
Dive in deep and join the crowd

Stuttering boasts every shape, size and shade.
Which begs the question? What’s the grade?

Grade for what? I’m glad you asked
For here on now, you are so tasked

Listen, ask, ponder, wait
What we say won’t ever be too late

Sometimes when I go to utter
Sometimes I just start to stutter

And that’s OK, right?

Because

Stuttering in all its shades is such a light
Help us make that light shine bright.
Use your voice, your pen, your spotlight
We’ll do the rest, day and night!