I’m Randy Panzarino, a person who stutters and speech-language pathologist working in schools and private practice in Southern California. Three things I love are surfing, pickleball, and Starbucks.
For a long time, I struggled with feelings of inadequacy and the false ideation that “I couldn’t do… (fill in the blank)” because of my stutter.
While I subconsciously knew for many years that resources like speech therapy and support groups existed, I believe my intense fears and shame toward this part of myself kept those things in a locked box of which I discarded the key.
A few months after my “rock bottom” moment, my life was changed for the better in 2015 when my friend, mentor and therapist, Dr. Charlotte Harvey, recommended I attend my first National Stuttering Association (NSA) chapter meeting in Orlando, Florida. Reflecting on who I was and who I am now, I am indebted to those who have helped me find meaning in my stuttering.
I currently lead the Orange County, California adult NSA chapter and attend stuttering-related conferences every chance I get. I’m also involved with SAY: The Stuttering Association for The Young, serving as a camp counselor for four summers.
My experiences being with those who stutter, and allies, has aligned me on a path toward authenticity and being more of who I want to be.
As a stutterer, clinician, and researcher, I want to better understand how we can collectively destigmatize stuttering support groups, and lend a hand to more of those who are reticent to engage. Every person deserves to experience the magic we do when we deeply listen and stutter together.