In March 2024, Dr. Danra Kazenski, a speech-language pathologist based in Waterbury, Vermont, initiated the #NormalizeStutteringChallenge on social media. The campaign encouraged people who stutter to share videos stating, “I’m worth listening to,” while allies were invited to say, “If you stutter, I’m listening.” The challenge quickly gained traction, attracting participants from around the world and amassing hundreds of thousands of views.
Her motivation for the campaign stemmed from her experiences working with clients who stutter, many of whom faced bullying and prejudice. The recent suicide of a 12-year-old former patient and public mockery of President Joe Biden’s stutter by political opponents further fueled her desire to take action.
Kazenski, a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Vermont (UVM), brings extensive expertise to her work. She teaches clinical skills, supervises graduate students in diagnosing and treating people who stutter, and conducts research on the emotional aspects and brain activity of individuals who stutter.
The campaign is part of Kazenski’s broader efforts to shift public discourse around stuttering and empower those affected by it. She co-leads three National Stuttering Association support groups at UVM, runs the Vermont chapter of the National Stuttering Association, and operates an online store selling stuttering awareness merchandise.
For National Stuttering Awareness Week in May 2024, Kazenski organized a green light display in the Waterbury roundabout to further raise awareness. Her work has resonated with many in the stuttering community, including students and professionals who have found support and acceptance through her initiatives.
Kazenski’s approach emphasizes acceptance and authenticity rather than focusing solely on fluency. She recently explained her motivation for the campaign. “I couldn’t just sit there and do nothing,” she said in an interview with Seven Days. “I won’t stop until it is as common to say that ‘I stutter’ as it is to say your pronouns.”
Read more about Dr. Kazenski’s work:
Seven Days: A Waterbury-Based Speech Pathologist Launched the Viral ‘I’m Worth Listening To’ Campaign, by Rachel Hellman, June 19, 2024.
Waterbury Roundabout: With green lights and a hashtag challenge, Waterbury speech therapist ignites stuttering awareness, by Danae Moyer, May 17, 2024.