You’ve seen it. Many have commented upon it. Some are pointing to the young man Biden singled out of a crowd, once upon a time, to give support to. As a contrast.

As a stutterer in my youth, and an occasional sufferer as an adult, I can tell you that boy has more guts, more intelligence than 100 Trumps. As a child, every day was like standing in front of an audience, public speaking. That kind of pressure. Every time I was required to speak. Being in school, the unpredictable nature of being called upon by the instructor was terrifying. Every day. Every goddamned day. I, like other young stutterers, built a thesaurus in my head … dozens of words to rely on, in case my primary word choice froze my tongue to lead. But to be called upon … start to respond, have the tongue freeze, your body go stiff in anxiety … knowing the only way out is through, mind racing for salient alternative words as fast as neurons can fire … can you all understand the fortitude and intelligence these situations require of a stutterer? The snickers of classmates, the bullies taking notes for their taunts during lunchtime, the knowledge of the judgments taking place … all these thoughts, these terrible realities also standing between the blockage and any shred of fluency?

And then to have a Presidential candidate mock someone with this malady, as if they are unintelligent or unworthy!

Dead to me. Already was, but hundredfold. Cue John Dutton of “Yellowstone” about cowards.

Want a job done, and done well? Hire a stutterer. Need a good friend? Find a stutterer. We’re different. We know the value of empathy. We thrive in difficult circumstances because we’ve had to self-calm, self-soothe since early childhood. We tend to be ‘cool’ under stress. Probably why I thrived in live broadcast productions.

Many will not understand our ways, but be assured … if you need us, we’ll be there. If you let us. All we require is a smidgen of patience sometimes.

If you know of a child who stutters, give them a hug. Listen to them without interruption. Do not correct or give them 'helpful advice'. Let them know they are as worthy as any other child, without judgment.

It is not in correction that fluency lies. It is in safety, security.