NBC News Today Show
Features Stuttering

by Jean Gruss

Millions of television viewers witnessed the challenges of stuttering on the Today Show on July 20 as well as on two regional stations this summer, the result of an intensive media campaign by the Stuttering Foundation.

The seven-minute segment on NBC News Today included portions of a taped interview with Stuttering Foundation President Jane Fraser discussing stereotypes which surround stuttering, early intervention for preschool children, and some of the exciting new research in genetics and neurology.

The program highlighted the challenging lives of several young men who stutter along with speech-language pathologist Catherine Montgomery whose intensive therapy program they attended in New York City. In the segment, Joey DeSantis, 14, and Chris Schell, 24, talk about how difficult it can be to do even the most routine tasks such as talking on the telephone. Today Show host Matt Lauer followed up with a live interview of Montgomery who worked with DeSantis and Schell.

"With its reach into millions of American living rooms, the Today Show did a great public service by delving into the issue of stuttering and asking some good questions," Fraser said.

The Stuttering Foundation's Web site and toll-free telephone number were prominently displayed on the NBC Web site, leading to a spike in calls, e-mails, and hits on the Foundation Web site.

Two days before the Today Show, NBC affiliate Channel 5 in Memphis interviewed Fraser about stuttering and the history of the Memphis-based Foundation on its news program. It displayed the toll-free number on camera and on its Web site and urged viewers to watch the Today Show that would air two days later.

On August 6, Boston's Channel 5 interviewed Fraser for Chronicles, a popular prime time weekly evening show. The 10 minute segment focused on young children who stutter and featured the new videotape, Stuttering and The Preschool Child: Help for Families.

"Without a doubt, this continues to be our best year ever in terms of overall outreach," Fraser said. "The television shows have complemented the fabulous print and radio features that have appeared this year.