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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsStuttering (update with shareable blog post)
Last edited Sun Jul 21, 2024, 06:31 AM - Edit history (1)
Since so many found this helpful, and since Sogo specifically asked to share it with the NYT, I created a cleaned-up version of this message with a few additions to the original message below.https://medium.com/@denapatrick/its-stuttering-not-cognitive-decline-1ef3c39cfb4f
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It manifests differently for many but I recognize my own experience with stuttering in President Biden so I’m trying to offer people more insight since his every utterance is being dissected 24/7 since the debate.
People may know he has a stuttering problem but may not realize how it manifests. I don’t know if he has spoken about it in depth before but maybe he should.
I've been a lifelong stutterer, as is Biden. Most of you wouldn't notice it, especially in casual conversation. But public speaking is a nightmare. And even in casual conversation, I am sometimes halting. I sometimes shift things mid-sentence, with an almost imperceptible change in breath, or what may seem like mumbling, and you know why? It's because I'm searching for another word or phrase to replace the one I was going to say but I could tell I would stammer big time - like Mel Tillis - on a certain letter. A stutterer’s biggest fear. For people like Biden and myself, our brains have to work fast to constantly come up with alternate words to convey our message, words that don’t start with our problematic letters. It's fucking exhausting.
Whenever he appears to lose his train of thought and then says “look” and seems to shift away from what he was saying, I recognize that as part of his stuttering. It isn’t cognitive, it’s a speech issue. In order to avoid that nightmarish complete stop because we can’t get past a certain letter/word, and if we can’t find an alternate word, we’ll shift the conversation a bit to something that comes out more fluidly.
I’m telling you, it’s exhausting. I don’t know how he does it. Reading prepared text is the worst whereas we can employ the above tools with extemporaneous speaking. I’m sure he works with speechwriters in this regard but, still, stuttering is unpredictable and it does wax and wane, at least in my experience.
I wish more people understood what’s really going on much of the time as they criticize him.
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texasfiddler
(2,199 posts)
OneGrassRoot
(23,931 posts)again, in my experience, when I am fired up and especially angry, I don’t have a stuttering problem. 😂😂😂
Alice B.
(701 posts)
nolabear
(43,850 posts)I recognize the verbal workarounds, the natural trip-ups and the literal duel thought patterns as he searches for ways to express what he needs to say and keep on track. It’s a hell of a skill set. I admire (but don’t envy—my GOD the energy!) my, ex, you and Joe.
obamanut2012
(29,198 posts)
brer cat
(27,373 posts)the better we can explain his efforts to overcome his stutter.
EndlessWire
(8,103 posts)
gab13by13
(31,336 posts)I suggested Joe speak a bit slower, would that help?
OneGrassRoot
(23,931 posts)As a child that is what I was always told but it never helped. In fact, it can make it worse. Sometimes the combination of breathing and more rapid speech can help us get over a hurdle.
highplainsdem
(60,194 posts)explanation of this that I'd found online, wanting DUers to undetstand why Biden often seemed to be editing what he was saying, and how much thought had to go into it. I wish there were some way to retrieve that, but the forums for primaries are always removed later.
I mentioned that post about stuttering in a reply yesterday:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219135097#post12
OneGrassRoot
(23,931 posts)Funny that the speech pathologist pointed to the same example I did, when he says “look.”
That tweet also provides accurate terms which I didn’t. lol.
Quakerfriend
(5,882 posts)I never would have imagined that reading prepared text would be such a problem.
On another note, and a purely physiological one,
Biden had two brain aneurysms years ago & this can sometimes leave one with residual effects-
inability to retrieve words etc.
OneGrassRoot
(23,931 posts)He is amazing. Truly.
NoveltySocks
(415 posts)As someone who's also neurodiverse, I wish the press and pundits would stop and think about how truly toxic and ableist they're acting, and that there's no "correct" way for our brains to work.
bdamomma
(69,176 posts)Brains work faster and the words are trying to catch up!!!!
Wounded Bear
(63,886 posts)mostly because I know his heart and his intentions are on the right course.
OneGrassRoot
(23,931 posts)are saying his speech patterns indicate cognitive decline when it’s quite the opposite.
KPN
(17,148 posts)understand the realities vs the assumptions.
Niagara
(11,580 posts)I believe that sometimes people forget that Joe Biden has had a speech stutter/stammer as a young child.
I've never been diagnosed with any type of speech impediment or had any issues with my speech. I do however find as I get older, sometimes I mix up my words in sentences or sometimes I severely trip over my words orally. I didn't have this issue earlier in life.
When my youngest child starting talking, her father and I couldn't understand a word that she was saying. She would tell us that she wanted to visit someone and when we couldn't understand what she was attempting to say, she would get so frustrated that she would throw herself on the floor and cry.
She ended up taking three years of speech therapy at school starting in pre-school without any cost to us (in public school) and there was an improvement right away. There wasn't anything wrong with her hearing.
She's an adult now and sometimes she still has problems with her "r's" but we've come a long way since she first started to talk.
I'm glad that you explained in detail of the frustration and about what a person has to go through that has a speech disorder.
Festivito
(13,857 posts)Your story breathes fresh air into my understanding of what I was hearing and seeing.
Look, gives me more ammo to fight the narratives and images opposing others see.
We could use a story like this about his walking.
The only bad thing I can say about Biden is that he needs a better haircut. D's are full of hair-doctoring folks. Several should show up at each venue.
jimfields33
(19,382 posts)that he didn’t wear the boot and the break didn’t heal correctly.
yorkster
(3,695 posts)some spinal arthritis. Osteoarthritis of the spine was what I read. Sorry, can't recall the source.
jimfields33
(19,382 posts)yorkster
(3,695 posts)at this point. He's a hell of a fighter.
It's hard to quantify how much political knowledge and wisdom President Biden has accumulated over his lifetime. Add to that the moral maturity and compassion he feels for our country and it's people. That adds up to one incredible human being!
How lucky America is to have him as our leader, especially in such a dangerous era.
To compare him to one of the worst "human" being he is running against, makes me gasp at the contrast!!
Our choice could not be more crystal clear!
Which makes it essential for all of us to work our fannies off to put him back in the White House and the felonious fruitcake in prison for life!
yorkster
(3,695 posts)Take care. Signing off for a bit - headache going on.
(Your words are inspiring. Will have to think of some positive actions to take...)
brakester
(538 posts)Yorkster,
I feel for you. Take care of yourself.
My brain has been on fire thinking of positive things we can do. I've been churning out comments and posting everywhere I can. I also write letters to the editor and do election volunteering. When I retired, I decided to make political work my main focus. After this insanity about our President's stuttering, I'm so busy writing I barely have much free time.
Thanks for your comment and willingness to get involved.
I think the reaction to people stabbing our Pres. in the back has lit a fire on our side. Trump is doomed now after their stupid move.
yorkster
(3,695 posts)All the best.
brakester
(538 posts)Yorkster,
I feel for you. Take care of yourself.
My brain has been on fire thinking of positive things we can do. I've been churning out comments and posting everywhere I can. I also write letters to the editor and do election volunteering. When I retired, I decided to make political work my main focus. After this insanity about our President's stuttering, I'm so busy writing I barely have much free time.
Thanks for your comment and willingness to get involved.
I think the reaction to people stabbing our Pres. in the back has lit a fire on our side. Trump is doomed now after their stupid move.
Festivito
(13,857 posts)•A combination of significant spinal arthritis, mild post-fracture foot arthritis and a mild sensory
peripheral neuropathy of the feet are the explanation for the subtle gait changes which I was
investigating. This assessment is unchanged.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Health-Summary-2.16.pdf
IbogaProject
(5,639 posts)But his conduct in office has totally won my heart. He's been such a great leader we will be fine w his team, even if "something happened".
ColinC
(11,098 posts)
chowder66
(11,873 posts)It really does sound challenging. Thank you!
RussBLib
(10,437 posts)....your post helps further understand the issue. Thank you very much.
And Biden was awesome in Detroit, even with the slight stuttering.
And the GOP and it's head bully Trump will assuredly mock and make fun of Joe's impediment.
https://russblib.blogspot.com/?m=1
elleng
(141,926 posts)I posted on the issue, some time ago, as a family friend wrote a book, and discussed his relationship with Joe Biden.
John Hendrickson wrote: 'Life on Delay.' He interviewed Joe Biden about his stutter. Now he's written a book about his own.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2023/01/17/john-hendrickson-new-memoir-life-on-delay-stuttering/11046750002/
OneGrassRoot
(23,931 posts)I'm 60 and haven't thought about stuttering much at all for a long time, not until this feeding frenzy after the debate. It's just something you learn to live with and don't dissect it much. I'm sure the President is the same way, so I'm glad he sat down for that interview with your friend.
I'm inspired to write a post on Medium that people can share if they're so inclined. It really, really does help to be able to explain that his speech patterns aren't cognitive in nature at all. The last two weeks have been emotional for obvious reasons but I didn't realize how much my own journey with stuttering was making me in the wake of all the bullying. And that's what it has been from many conservative quart4ers.
Dem4life1234
(2,533 posts)What makes him even more endearing to me.
shrike3
(5,370 posts)I most frequently stutter on short vowels. Even worse when I'm sick or tired. I could tell Biden was fighting his stutter during the debate. Because I'm a stutterer.
OneGrassRoot
(23,931 posts)that “s” is almost universally a blocking letter. So it’s not easy to say “Hey, I have a speech issue” or “I may stutter a bit.” lol
shrike3
(5,370 posts)Don't know how she handled it. And I frankly don't know how Joe does it, being in the public eye for so many years.
OneGrassRoot
(23,931 posts)D’s we’re so rough that my first day of an after-school activity my freshman year, where no one knew me, of course we had to introduce ourselves and, sure enough, I got stuck.
I said my middle name instead. From then on people who did know me were so confused. 😂
shrike3
(5,370 posts)Dem4life1234
(2,533 posts)What makes him even more endearing to me.
Talitha
(7,701 posts)Thank you for posting this, OneGrassRoot.
My son, 45, has stuttered all his life. Some of his classmates were absolutely brutal and it definitely affected his persona. TBH, I don't understand how Joe has been able to deal with it, but am damned glad he's able to.
yorkster
(3,695 posts)how informative as well. This only increases my respect and admiration for Joe Biden.
Many thanks.
Sogo
(6,994 posts)
tavernier
(14,292 posts)I sometimes think to myself, why on earth don’t you finish that sentence instead of stopping midway with an important point. Now I get it.
OneGrassRoot
(23,931 posts)and it’s only those of us intimately familiar with stuttering workarounds who recognize what’s happening.
I never thought about his stuttering until the brutal aftermath of the debate. Now it’s all I’m thinking about as I relive my 50-year experience with this challenge. And in doing so, my appreciation for his courage and fortitude has increased exponentially.
tavernier
(14,292 posts)the more people know about the difficulties of managing to communicate with a stutter, the better they understand and appreciate the challenges. Perhaps Joe should simply state at those times, “Excuse me, as you are aware, I sometimes stutter. But do not misinterpret this as my lack of understanding of the subject matter. Sometimes my brain just runs more quickly than my tongue.”
I have no doubt that the audience will be with him from that moment on.
Thanks for your input. My grandson shuttered as a child but that is mostly gone now, except when he is very tired. But I remember well how it kept him from being as social as other kids during his school years.
Emile
(40,771 posts) 
Dark n Stormy Knight
(10,480 posts)Too many people want things straightforward & easier to understand without having to learn anything they already don't already know.
Dark n Stormy Knight
(10,480 posts)
Stinky The Clown
(68,926 posts)euphorb
(294 posts)I fully agree with everything in the original post.
usonian
(23,676 posts)electric_blue68
(26,040 posts)Decades back my sculpture teacher (Art College) was a stutter. He was a great teacher. I'd just patiently wait.
Fla Dem
(27,436 posts)I don't stutter, but as a 70+ person, I find myself at times groping for common words that just won't come to me. It embarrassing and uncomfortable. But that hasn't diminished my intellect or ability to have solid thoughtful conversations with people. I tell them it's my older RAM.
I applaud President Joe Biden and hope he'll be there for us for the next 4 years.
brush
(61,033 posts)most of the time. It surfaced open during that stressful debate with the lying ass trump next to him and the CNN hosts doiing no fact checking. It was a bad time for it to come out.
Easterncedar
(5,586 posts)I appreciate your helping us understand.
Deuxcents
(25,598 posts)I’m very appreciative of this information and will definitely have more patience with others. I am always learning something new here 🙏
mzmolly
(52,661 posts)on this.
Information is power. I fully agree that's part of what happened on debate night. Especially, given Biden had to debate a compulsive liar and narcissist while being sick.
OneGrassRoot
(23,931 posts)
Bayard
(28,718 posts)
no_hypocrisy
(54,361 posts)Anna Margaret Glenn (née Castor; February 17, 1920 – May 19, 2020) was an American advocate for people with disabilities and communication disorders and the wife of astronaut and senator John Glenn. A stutterer from an early age, Glenn was notable for raising awareness of stuttering and other disabilities among children and adults.
-snip-
Like her father, Annie Glenn experienced a speech stutter throughout her life.[1] As a child, Glenn did not feel hindered by her stutter; she happily participated in activities such as softball, girl scouts, school dances, and choir.[4] It was not until sixth grade that she realized her speech impairment.[4] It was determined that her stutter was present in eighty-five percent of her verbal utterances.[11] Despite her difficulty speaking, she was able to create and maintain close relationships.[4] After graduating from college, Glenn wanted to get a job in a different town but because of her disability, her parents were worried about her living independently.[4] However, Glenn found ways to effectively communicate without speaking out loud. For example, before shopping, she would write down exactly what she was looking for and then show the note to the sales clerk when she needed help.[4]
At the age of 53, Glenn discovered and attended a three-week treatment course at Hollins Communications Research Institute in Roanoke, Virginia, to help with her dysfluency.[11] After attending the treatment course, her speech was greatly improved; however, she did not consider herself "cured" of stuttering.[1] Glenn was finally able to confidently vocally interact with others.[12] When her husband began campaigning for the Senate, she was able to support him by giving speeches at public events and at rallies.[1] Glenn used her newfound voice to bring attention to disabled people who she knew had been overlooked so often.[13]
Later, Glenn became an adjunct professor with Ohio State's Speech Pathology Department.[6]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annie_Glenn
OneGrassRoot
(23,931 posts)
hlthe2b
(112,916 posts)stuttering expert to help them explain Biden's natural aging impacts versus TSF's obvious dementia.
Stuttering is not well understood by the public. Still, even experienced psychiatrists, psychologists, and gerontologists need specific training to differentiate its lifelong impacts and behavioral responses--as well as the trained brain's attempts to compensate.