Seven Cats, One Bold Voice: Caitney File’s NSA Story
If you’ve ever wondered what bravery looks like, try picturing a left-handed teen with seven cats, a killer karaoke ballad, and a brand-new outlook on stuttering. That’s Caitney File.
Caitney joined the NSA in July 2024 and she’s hit the ground running. After attending the NSA Conference that summer (just an hour and a half from home), she walked away with more than some awesome NSA merch. She left with a new understanding of herself.
“I learned that I had been a covert stutterer,” she says. “Since learning that, I have tried to stutter freely. I do my best to say what I want, even if it will make me stutter. Although, becoming an overt stutterer is a continuous process, and I still struggle with it at times.”
That commitment to growth, to authenticity, and to showing up even when it’s hard is something Caitney’s proud of. And she should be. She recently took a college speech class, even though public speaking has always been the thing she avoided most.
“Throughout middle and high school, I stayed in the lines of my 504 plan. However, I wanted to challenge myself since I will attend college in the fall. So far, I have presented three speeches varying from two to seven minutes!”
Caitney’s already giving back in big ways. She’s a member of the Teen Advisory Council (TAC) and serves as the Member Outreach Coordinator for Sisters Who Stutter (SWS), where she connects with other girls across the country and keeping the spirit of community going all year long!
Her advice to newcomers? Get involved.
“Get involved - whether in person or virtually! Go to the NSA's website to see what chapter meetings are in your area and what Zoom groups the NSA offers.”
When she’s not doing all that, you’ll find her soaking up beach vibes, rewatching New Girl, jamming to John Mayer’s “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room,” or chilling with one of her seven cats.
And someday? You just might find her eating gelato in Italy.
Caitney’s story is still unfolding, but it’s already clear that she’s not just finding her voice. She’s owning it.