Orlando Sanchez Lugo on Art, Stuttering, and Finding Community

Written by: David Alpuche

t week, I had the opportunity to sit with Orlando Sanchez Lugo (IG: @orlandosanchezlugo, @obsessd.podcast), an artist, designer, and podcaster from Monterrey, México. We talked about his life as a person who stutters, discovering your community, and how doors open when you face your fears. Here’s our conversation:

David: Hello, Orlando. It’s a pleasure to sit here with you. Why don’t we start from the beginning? Can you tell us about yourself, where you're from, your age, and when you began stuttering?

Orlando: First of all, thank you. It was nice of you to come to the studio. I am Orlando Sanchez, born in Mexico. I moved to Chicago when I was 10 and came to Texas. I just turned 40 last year. I don’t remember exactly how old I was when I discovered I was different and spoke differently from other kids; maybe I was 5 or 6. My dad also stutters.

David: Do you remember having any conversations about stuttering with your family?

Orlando: My dad and I spoke about it when I was younger; I think we could relate to how we felt. I knew a kid who stuttered in Mexico, but it wasn’t very noticeable. I never asked him anything because I didn’t know how to approach it. 

David: You didn’t mention it in your intro, but what do you do for a living?

Orlando: Since I finished high school, I’ve made art. I’ve always been drawn to making stuff from scratch. Right now, I paint shoes and the paintings that you see here. That’s been my full-time job for a year. 

David: I can relate to that, I’ve always been into visual arts. Do you think the way you speak was a reason or influence why you went into art?

Orlando: I don’t think so because everybody was doing some kind of art in our family. My grandma used to sew clothes, my uncles painted, and I have relatives who play music. My dad is also a designer. I don’t think it was the main reason, but it was through art when I was finding ways to express myself. It was easier to communicate. 

David: We are both from Mexico, living in a different country, with a different culture. Have you noticed any difference in how people react to your stutter between here and Mexico?

Orlando: Yes, but maybe it was because we were younger, and kids can be cruel. I grew up in both countries, but I could tell that people in the US are more aware of the condition. In Mexico, it was always bullying, all the time. It was difficult, but that helped me become stronger and learn how to defend myself. It was easier in America.

David: I feel that in Mexico, we are quicker to give each other nicknames for just about anything. We are also quicker to interrupt each other! 

Orlando: That’s the worst. Even in job interviews, I’m talking to the CEO and I’m like “Bro! You are supposed to be more knowledgeable about that. You deal with people, you shouldn’t finish somebody’s sentences.” I feel there should be a class about how to interact with people with any kind of disability.

David: In the organization I work with, To Be Like Me, we teach people about what it's like to be different, how to react, what you can ask, and what you shouldn’t ask so they have an idea of what people who are different from them go through.

Orlando: Yeah, there’s a way to ask. I don’t have an issue with people asking; it’s all about the approach.

David: You also have a podcast (ØBSESSD on Spotify) where you interview other artists. How did you get into that? Did your stutter make you hesitant about recording yourself?

Orlando: It was interesting because I was hired to interview artists for an art show in Dallas called “15 Latinas, One Common Thread.” My job was to interview the artists to showcase their art. The person who hired me knew me, so I didn’t think she cared I had this… is there a term? Disability? Speech impediment?

David: Speech impediment, speech disorder, difference…

Orlando: Disorder sounds weird, bro!

David: I know, but that’s how it was called. Now we are starting to call it “speech difference,” which I think is a much better term than “disorder.”

Orlando: Yeah, it’s better! So, she knew I had this speech difference. When that project ended, some stuff happened in my life; I had some rough times. I didn’t know how to showcase my art and be part of that culture. One day, I started calling friends and asking if they would be willing to interview so people could learn more about their art. For me, it was a challenge… what can I do to challenge myself? The big challenge was that I hate listening to my voice, so I started the podcast. The beginning was hard because I edited it too, and I had to listen to my voice repeatedly, but it was an opportunity to catch up with friends who paint or make music. When I did the fourth episode with Chris Knight, he introduced me to some of his friends, I reached out… and doors have opened. The new artists I talk to don’t know I have this speech difference. It’s going to be cool seeing how they react.

David: What effect do you think your way of speaking has on others? Many friends have told me that my way of speaking has taught them to be patient. I wonder if you notice something similar when you're interviewing someone else.

Orlando: For sure. You can see that people need to adapt to it. If they don’t know you, they can get uncomfortable… but that’s rare. I think as people get older, they are better at it.

David: I have also noticed that since we have no choice but to be vulnerable in front of others, it gives them a reason to be vulnerable and open. Have you noticed that?

Orlando: Yes, I could tell they try to be nice, which is cool. When I was taking art classes in college, there were a few people with disabilities, and I was always around them. 

David: I also feel that I gravitated towards the outsiders since I was a kid.

Orlando: Yeah, same. We were all different in our own ways. Some kids were deaf, so I learned to use sign language. I had a friend who was blind. To me, it was normal, but you could tell when others weren't as open. At this age, I don’t care.

David: Sometimes, it takes getting older to overcome all the fears and insecurities we had growing up. On that note, when do you think was the hardest time as a person who stutters?

Orlando: I think the hardest age was when I was trying to advance my design career to a senior level. As a senior UI/UX (user interface/user experience) designer, you have to present to the CEOs or people up the chain. That was my hardest time because I would tell myself, “I’m so good at my job, but… talking?” You could tell people would get uncomfortable when I was presenting. I was about 25. Was it the same to you?

David: Yeah, similar. My first job as a photographer was working as a second camera for someone else. He was in charge of the scheduling, talking to clients, etc, and I would just show up with my camera. I quickly realized I was a better photographer than he was, but I had the fear of having to talk to clients, phone calls, all of that. Working with him, I learned the business side, but it took me many years to have the courage to go and do it on my own. I was scared.

Orlando: I think that makes us better. 

David: You are new to the stuttering community. How did you get involved and why?

Orlando: I was in Chicago and having a hard time finding a job. I wanted to keep making art, so I thought I could find a nonprofit or a sponsorship. I asked myself, What makes me different? I realized my stutter made me different, so I started looking for stuttering organizations. I reached out to the NSA, to Tammy Flores. She replied, and that’s how I started. We were planning to do some stuff with my artwork. That was my first attempt to be part of the community. There was a chapter next to me, and I was going to attend, but it was winter in Chicago. 

David: Have you ever been to a meeting or conference? 

Orlando: No, just Zoom meetups. I joined one about preparing for a job interview and one in Spanish.

David: Were they helpful?

Orlando: Oh yeah! Helpful for sure, I got a lot of ideas. One of them was to introduce myself as a person who stutters. When I did that for job interviews, I could tell that it was easier for people to keep up with the conversation. In my field, there are a few steps to getting a job: talking to an HR person, usually on the phone. I wondered if mentioning my stutter would be a disadvantage, but I didn’t care. If a company bases my worth on that, I don’t want to work for them.

David: I am also a big proponent of disclosing. If we don’t say anything, we are letting the other person come up with their own explanation about why we sound the way we sound. They can think we have anxiety, are nervous, are unprepared, don’t know the answers, or are drunk. They can come up with anything! But if you tell them, the majority of people are understanding. 

Orlando: Yes! Those meetups were so good, and the people were so nice. I learned from those who participated and spoke out, sharing my thoughts about applying for a job. The one in Spanish, too. I want to join more. Let me ask you something: Do you think I should mention it on the podcast?

David: If you feel that it would be helpful. One of my questions was, “You have your own platform, have you ever talked about stuttering publicly?”

Orlando: I have talked about it in a few episodes, but my work is mostly paintings and visuals on social media. I think half of the people who see my stuff don’t know. You know what? My next episode is with an artist from Venezuela. I will mention my stutter because that way, people won’t think I’m nervous. 

David: I think it would be a good experiment! To conclude our interview, what advice do you have for others who stutter? 

Orlando: These questions are hard because we all have our differences. Over the years, I’ve learned to pause more and breathe, and this works for me. I learned from those Zoom meetings to let people know because that calms us down, and it won’t surprise the listener. I try not to do things that raise my levels of anxiety. Find peace.

David: As I’ve grown older, I've also learned that taking my time when I speak is okay. We think that the listener will be impatient, but I would say that the first one to get impatient is usually us. I have learned that if I am patient with myself, the listener will react similarly.

Orlando: I need to do that more, express that I have a speech difference, be more aware, and communicate more… but I get tired! I've met so many new people that I have to consider whether I’m going to see you again. 

David: I feel that is something the rest of the world doesn’t seem to understand about stuttering. For us, every conversation is a unique challenge. We are always thinking, "Will I see you again?" This changes our approach.

Orlando: Yeah, that’s true, but sometimes, I just don’t care. I always ask questions when I’m on a call with a company CEO. If I stutter, I don’t care, but you can tell some people make faces.

David: Finally, what would you want others to know about stuttering?

Orlando: It wasn’t our choice. We didn’t choose to be born with this difference. We are all born like this, right?

David: The majority, yes, but here in our Chapter, we have a woman named Kelly—shout out to Kelly!—who was in a car accident when she was 21. She was in a coma, and when she woke up weeks later, she had a stutter. She didn't have a stutter in the first half of her life, but in the second half, she does. It’s a completely different experience.

Orlando: I didn’t know that, but yeah. I would tell people we didn’t choose it; we try to cope and live our lives. Sometimes, it’s hard. I know people who have a hard time, but they reach out, go to meetings, and learn about stuttering.

David: This was really fun. Is there anything else you want to share with the people of the NSA?

Orlando: Thanks a lot for what they do. I’ll attend more meetups; I want to be more open and help others!

Follow Orlando on IG at @orlandosanchezlugo and @obsessd.podcast. His podcast is available on Spotify.