Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

Speaking Up About Stuttering

Wednesday, February 19, 2020, By Jennifer Russo
Share
School of Education
three people standing

Michael Wilson, Haley Evans and David Haas after the MBS screening in January

It was standing room only in the Peter Graham Scholarly Commons on the night of Jan. 23. Over 100 people, including Syracuse University students, families and medical professionals, were there to see the screening of a new documentary film about a common but often misunderstood speech disorder: stuttering. According to the National Stuttering Association, about five percent of children will stutter, and one percent of the general population will continue to stutter throughout their lives. Though the severity varies widely, it’s estimated that there are over three million stutterers in the United States alone.

Haley Evans, a graduate student in the inclusive education (grades 1-6) master’s program in the School of Education, is one of them. Haley’s advocacy and connections were the catalyst for the successful campus screening event of “My Beautiful Stutter,” and opened the door for others to share their experiences with stuttering without fear of stigma. The documentary follows five kids who stutter, and after having suffered bullying and stigmatization, find friendship and solace in an arts program. The Jan. 23 event screened the emotional film and followed it with a discussion panel featuring Haley and members of the community who stutter.

Growing up in Cazenovia, New York, Haley did not know anybody else who stuttered. As supportive as her family and friends were, she says that they could not truly understand what it means to live with the stress of having a stutter.

“Fighting stuttering can be very lonely,” she says, “especially when you are trying to hide it so you don’t get judged.”

For Haley, connecting her communities at home and at Syracuse University with the support she receives from the local chapter of the National Stuttering Association has been a fulfilling part of bringing the film to campus.

“Last summer I was scrolling through Instagram, and there was an ad for a documentary on stuttering. They were looking for people’s experiences,” Haley recalls. “I sent back a blurb of and let them know that I would love to help with anything they need.”

Haley continued to follow the social media account for the documentary through its development, and in the fall the film crew reached out to see if she would facilitate a screening in Syracuse.

“I thought only close friends and family would come,” she says. But Haley cast a wide net and drew the support of professors Beth Ferri and Christy Ashby in the School of Education. She also assembled a discussion panel, including David Haas, co-leader of the Syracuse chapter of the National Stuttering Association, who is a local writer, historian and blogger, and Michael Wilson, D.D.S., owner of a multi-location dental practice.

“The amount of support from the school, and Professor Ferri especially, was overwhelming. I am very proud to be a part of a school that wanted to showcase this film as much as I did,” Haley says. “The faculty and staff were very helpful with showing me the steps to bring a film like this on campus.”

Haley says that all of her experiences at Syracuse have been positive, and taking on a large event like this was no exception. “My first meeting at Syracuse University was with Christy Ashby. She was so patient and understanding of my stutter, which was a wonderful introduction to the campus community,” she recalls. “That impression has stayed with me. My peers and other professors have showed me their compassion and understanding. I’ve felt supported every step of the way through my journey here.”

Haley intends to teach in a special education setting, but also earn a doctorate in special education. Her dream job is to serve as a director of special education for a whole school district. Ready to begin her career as an educator, Haley offers this important lesson, a line from the film:

“we are all human beings who want to be heard, and that means letting everyone have as much time as they need to speak…”

  • Author

Jennifer Russo

  • Recent
  • Neal Powless Inducted Into American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame
    Tuesday, June 3, 2025, By Kelly Homan Rodoski
  • Japan’s Crackdown on ‘Shiny’ Names Sparks Cultural Reflection
    Tuesday, June 3, 2025, By Keith Kobland
  • The Milton Legacy: Romance, Success and Giving Back
    Monday, June 2, 2025, By Eileen Korey
  • Five Tips to Protect Your Health and Prepare for Worsening Air Conditions
    Monday, June 2, 2025, By Daryl Lovell
  • Newhouse Professor Robert Thompson Featured on ‘NBC Nightly News’ for Pop Culture Lecture Series
    Monday, June 2, 2025, By Keith Kobland

More In Campus & Community

Neal Powless Inducted Into American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame

You could say that lacrosse is in Neal Powless’s blood. Powless G’08, the University ombuds, is a member of the Onondaga Nation Eel Clan. He is the son, grandson and brother of legendary lacrosse players. Powless picked up a lacrosse…

The Milton Legacy: Romance, Success and Giving Back

Growing up, Stacey Milton Leal ’75 and Chris Milton heard countless stories about how Syracuse University brought their parents together in what would turn out to be a fairy tale romance with a happy forever ending. So it was no…

Syracuse University Libraries’ Information Literacy Scholars Produce Information Literacy Collab Journal

Earlier this month, Syracuse University Libraries’ Information Literacy Scholars published their first open access information literacy journal, Information Literacy Collab (ILC). It is available on SURFACE, the University’s open access institutional repository. ILC is a diamond open-access publication by and…

Trip to Atlanta Gives Falk Students ‘Real-World’ Opportunities and Connections

The city of Atlanta is home to professional sports franchises in major leagues: Atlanta United FC (Major League Soccer), the Braves (Major League Baseball), Dream (WNBA), Falcons (NFL), and Hawks (NBA). Atlanta also features professional teams in lacrosse, rugby, and…

Syracuse Spirit on Display: Limited-Edition Poster Supports Future Generations

The third annual fiscal-year end poster campaign is a wonderful way to celebrate Syracuse pride, expand your art collection and make a meaningful impact on the Orange community. As a token of appreciation for their generosity, the first 500 donors…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.