NATIONAL STUTTERING ASSOCIATION
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I've been a member of the NSA for 32 years, and will say without qualification that it does extraordinary work. The NSA has had a positive impact of thousands of people who stutter. I was an active member for almost 30 years and still keep in touch. The NSA plays a vital role in the world-wide stuttering community, and through the years, I've seen many, many people make major transformations in their life through their participation.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Helps people build understanding and self-acceptance of their stuttering. It's also played a vital role in building public awareness of stuttering. And Finally, it's provided invaluable support for parents and teachers.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
More feedback...
Ways to make it better...
Can't think of a thing.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I have been involved in the NSA since 1996. In those years, I have been a part of amazing stories of change, hope and acceptance for children, teens and adults who stutter and their families. This support organization is undeniably the best place for those who stutter to discover they are not alone! Most of my expereince has been in the NSAs Family Programs. I cannot put into words the importance of bringing together children and teens who stutter and their families. The support and education they recieve through the NSA is a life-changing process!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing the positive changes made for my students who stutter and their families.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
being able to be invovled at a personal level with the children who stutter and their parents
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
caring, dedicated, hopeful, exhausted (in a good way) and persistent
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Expand education and outreach programs for society, in general and for those who stutter, specifically.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
My name is Steven Kaufman and I am the Long Island chapter leader (along with teammate and chapter leader Lori Melnitsky) for the National Stuttering Association. I can say emphatically that the NSA is my rock, my strength, and my courage to do what's right in this world. Ever since age three, I have been a person who stutters. I really didn't think much of it until I got to high school and saw how much of an impact could have. I suffered through everything-the teasing, the Porky Pig jokes, the humiliations of not being picked to volunteer in class because the teacher just "did not have time" to listen to me. It got so bad that I would eat in the nurse's offide during lunchtime just to have a place of solitude. I felt so ashamed that I dared not tell my parents what was going on. When I entered junior college, I heard all the cliches: "This will be a new beginning," and others. It wasn't. It was just more of the same. I felt myself undergoing a bitter metamorphisis into someone I could not recognize, feeling like my body and soul were fighting each other for control. A few years later, I found work at a law firm, but not in the position I ideally had hoped to get. The firm decided to place me in the billing department, because my speech apparently was too big of a concern for them. Feeling absolutely low, it was at this point that I heard about the National Stuttering Association's annual conference, held in Long Beach, Calif. I believe that in every life, we have defining moments that show our character. On a spur of the moment, I booked my plane ticket and hotel. When I told my parents I was going, they said "Why?" and used a sarcastic tone. I knew right then there, it was now or never. The plane touched down a few hours later, and I wondered what I got myself into. Well, what I did get myself into was an amazing family who I love more than life itself. I found seminars that not only challenged me emotionally, but mentally too, forcing me to look at stuttering in ways I never knew existed. I finally saw how to tap into my potential and deal with negative feelings in a constructive manner. I began to fully understand why the NSA believe that if you stutter, you're not alone. I am a firm believer that at these conferences, I have no friends, but teammates: over 600, and growing. You should not be afraid of your stuttering. But your stuttering should be very afraid of you. It is because of the National Stuttering Association that I have helped transform my life in many ways. I am now very outspoken about stuttering. I have a blog that reaches teammates who stutter from here and abroad. I've lectured at Seton Hall University, Columbia University, Mercy College, to name a few. I am a chapter leader and absolutely love it, and I do a great deal of work with them in various capacities. I stand by my teammates and whenever we struggle with challenges, we'll always be there. When all else fails, the NSA doesn't. The NSA's impact on children and teens is amazing. Every year at our conferences, we take pride in welcoming "first-timers," who are given special recognition. This past year, we had 160 teammates who were "first-timers," many were young children who came with their mothers, and families. The children were very shy and apprehensive, but within one hour, they are laughing and talking nonstop. At the closing banquet, it is very emotional for all, but it's really like watching a butterfly emerge from the cocoon. You will never ever see the person the way they were again. The National Stuttering Association is the biggest advocacy organization in the world. I have no doubt saying emphatically, it is the number one fan club for teammates who stutter. For anyone who stutters, I can't stress to them how important it is to get involved. It truly is magical in every way.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Transforming the lives of teammates who stutter-from giving them the freedom to live their dreams and pursue their goals, to being able to embrace the fact they are a person who stutters-and there is nothing to apologize for!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Being able to not only be my own advocate, but to give back and support my teammates in every way possible-the NSA teammates have a very special bond that lasts forever!
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Possessing some of the biggest hearts I've ever seen. The NSA staff and volunteers are not only committed to the cause of stuttering, but we always know that is more we can do. We refuse to be complacent!
Ways to make it better...
My experience is fantastic and there is nothing that the NSA could have done to improve that at all! They are simply perfect.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
The NSA is a wonderful organization. Since stuttering is such a rare disorder that most people who stutter end up trying to cope with it themselves, never really being able to confide in anyone or get the support that they need. The NSA offers all of this and so much more. Just by being in a room filled with people just like me was enough to turn my life around. It gave e the self confindence that I needed to make some changes in my life and the strength to carry on with my life. I would highly reccomned the organization to anyone who stutters or anyone who is in anyway affected by stuttering.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
building my confidence to be the person that i am today.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not change a thing.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
meeting the people of the organization. This is the finest group of people I've ever met.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
people just like me. Very down to earth and very supportive. We were all there for the same reason.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
possibly have a semi annual conference and increase promotions.
Ways to make it better...
I had done a little more research oabout the organization before attending the annual conference. But I actually enjoyed walking into it blind with no expectations. For me, that was really amazing.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
funding and donations. With stuttering being such a rare disorder it is difficult to get donations and funding.
One thing I'd also say is that...
if you stutter, attending a conference will change your life.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2004
A great organization that provides invaluable support and assistance to the entire stuttering community across the United States of America.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
both my life and in the lives of countless others.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
do whatever it takes to join forces with the Stuttering Foundation of America since these support group efforts should be unified.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
it provides me access to a great support network that I previously was not aware of.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
all very helpful and genuine individuals.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
help all 3 million people in the U.S. who stutter.
Ways to make it better...
this organization had the resources so it could be marketed more effectively to the local community.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
how to continue providing such great stuttering support and resources in such a troubling economy.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I stutter and I'm proud of it!
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I had just graduated college and was officially job hunting. I had a great lead for an accounting position so I picked up the phone to call for an interview. I couldn't get out the word "Hello" and the person on the other line hung up on me. Try again... and the same thing. Breathe, relax, easy onsets...The third time that he hung up, I fell to the ground in tears. Even with endless hours of speech therapy, my stuttering was frustrating, humiliating, debilitating. Along with the frustrations in not being able to get my words out was the embarrassment I felt when someone unknowingly teased me or the discouragement I felt when I backed down from a situation. Stuttering was a wall and as much as I tried to think about roses and puppies in between the blocks, I couldn't get over it. What was I going to do? How was I going to work in the professional world if I can't even say the word "hello"? Nobody could possibly understand how stuttering was controlling my decisions and consuming my thoughts until... I found the NSA. This organization has an amazing power where the people within make a difference! People who stutter often feel alone with the challenge so to connect with others who stutter either by email, articles, telephone, local support groups or annual conference is priceless. I did not meet anyone who stuttered until I was in my 20's and this experience was life changing. Seeing other people who stutter successfully communicating and living life to the fullest was the boost I needed to get over the wall. I could see clearly now how to use all the therapy techniques and take all the advice from speech pathologists over the years. The NSA has opened doors for me that I thought were sealed shut. The NSA has made me a stronger person and it has given me a place where I can give back. I went on to get a job that I wanted, and landed other positions that I would have otherwise been very frightened of (receptionist, waitress, sales, management, real estate). I gained confidence. I got married, have 2 beautiful girls and I still stutter. Now, I work for the NSA as the family programs administrator and web editor.
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
kids, teens, adults and parents all across the country.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
find a billionaire to fund.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
meeting people who stutter, hearing their story and knowing that they understand.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
outstanding
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
let the world know about stuttering in all of its trials, triumphs and intricate quirks (maybe via a movie). Reach out to make sure that stuttering is treated in the correct manner and the myths.
Ways to make it better...
I'd have known about this organization earlier in my life.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
making new members realize that they are not small fish in a big pond but that they are THEE integral part of making the NSA carry out its mission.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
The NSA is the largest non-profit self-help organization for those affected by stuttering in the world. Formed in 1977 this vital organization brings hope, support, education and empowerment to the over 3 million people who stuttering in the United States. Through its vast network of local support groups the NSA provides a safe place for speaking, learning and sharing experiences. Parents are able to get accurate information from the leading experts in stuttering and become connected with other parents who have "been there". Its continuing education seminars help to bring cutting edge information about research and treatment to speech-language professionals. The NSA Research initiative provides assistance and participants to top researchers and research projects. Anyone affected by stuttering whether it be an adult, teen, parent or other family member, or a speech-language professional should become familiar with the NSA.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the smiles of children, the new found confidence of adults and tears of joy from grateful parents.
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
meeting and working with some of the finest and most dedicated people in the world.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I have been associated with this organization for more than 20 years. I have seen, first-hand, the help, support and encouragement they offer people who stutter, their families and the SLPs who work with them. I have also had the pleasure of attending their annual conference every year since 1997.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the smiles on little kids' faces as well as every member who has every attended a conference.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
do what I could to get the word out
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the feeling that I, as person who stutters, can do anything.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
the most wonderful people on this planet.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
run a TV commercial, so people would know about them.
Ways to make it better...
I started going to conferences sooner.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
lack of funds.
One thing I'd also say is that...
God bless the people who started it.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
The National Stuttering Association offers a selection of good quality materials for sale, free information online, and really fun annual conferences. It is an especially good place for speech language pathologists to get a reality-check regarding what stuttering and speech therapy really means to people who stutter. I highly recommend supporting this group.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
...the warmth and support shared by adults, children, and families.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
...continue the professional partnership they have with the American Speech Language Hearing Association Special Interest Division 4
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
...real life education to supplement professional continuing education.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
...exceptionally committed to the cause.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
...send materials to schools for free.
Ways to make it better...
...the needs of middle schoolers were specifically addressed in separate group format at the 08 conference.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
...judging the quality of workshops offered at conferences; raising money.
One thing I'd also say is that...
...I've benefited greatly from the NSA
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2008
I found out abut the NSA in 2000. When people told me about the national conference and how awesome it was, I did not believe them. I could not see how going to some hotel, with 500 plus people who stutter would do me any good. But I was totaly wrong. My first conference was in Boston and that change my life. I started to believe that it is ok to stutter and that I was not alone. Walking the Freedom trail in Boston made me see that there truely is freedom in stuttering. I have the freedom to use my voice even though it does not always work the way i want it to. The NSA taught me that just because I stutter does not mean that I am worthless. You know, if God pick Moses (who stutter) to lead his people for 40 years, then I to can lead the life I want and not the life someone else says I should lead. I am not a NSA chapter leader in Wisconsin.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
changing people lives
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
that is has shown me and let me know that I am not alone.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
awesome!
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
reach more people.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
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