An Open Letter From an Ally

Dear Friends,

I do not stutter, but I want to start by saying how proud I am to stand alongside people who do. Being an ally is about more than saying the right words. It is about listening with patience, learning with an open mind, and showing up with respect and care.

What I Have Learned as an Ally

Before connecting with the National Stuttering Association, I thought stuttering was simply about speech. What I have learned since is that it is about people. It is about real lives, real stories, and the ways stuttering shapes but never defines someone. I now understand that the biggest challenge is not stuttering itself but the way the world often responds to it.

Stuttering awareness has opened my eyes to how important community and understanding are. Being an ally for people who stutter means creating space, celebrating every voice, and supporting communication confidence in everyday life.

Why Small Acts of Support Matter

I have seen how harmful impatience, quick judgments, or finishing someone else’s sentence can feel. I have also seen how much difference small acts of kindness can make. Waiting without rushing, giving someone space to finish, and truly listening sends the message that every voice matters.

These simple choices carry so much meaning. They say, “I see you. I hear you. You belong here.” Supporting people who stutter in daily life does not take grand gestures. It takes everyday awareness, patience, and compassion.

A Message to People Who Stutter

To the people who stutter, I want to say thank you. Thank you for your courage, your honesty, and for sharing your stories. You remind me that communication is never about speed or perfection. It is about connection, authenticity, and heart.

Words do not lose their power when they take time. If anything, they gain it. Every pause and repetition carries intention and strength. You show the world that being an effective communicator is not about fluency, it is about being yourself.

A Message to Fellow Allies

To other allies, our role is not to speak for people who stutter. Our role is to stand beside them, to listen, to celebrate, and to create spaces where their voices can thrive. Whether that is in the classroom, the workplace, a social setting, or even in our own homes, we can all help build a world where stuttering is met with understanding instead of judgment.

Being an ally for the stuttering community is not complicated. It is about being present, being patient, and being supportive. These are choices anyone can make, and they can change someone’s day or even their life.

Why the NSA Community Matters

I am grateful for the National Stuttering Association because it has opened my eyes and given me a place to learn. It has shown me the importance of community and how much impact an ally can make just by showing up with compassion.

The NSA reminds us that no one who stutters should ever feel alone. It brings together people who stutter, their families, speech-language pathologists, and allies, creating a community built on strength, support, and belonging.

Being an ally is an ongoing journey of learning, growing, and showing up with an open heart. To my friends who stutter, please know you are valued exactly as you are. To my fellow allies, remember that our presence and support can help make every space more welcoming and inclusive.

With gratitude and friendship, 

A friend who does not stutter