I Have a Stammer- Samuel and Victoria Wiggins

About the Authors: 

Samuel and Victoria Wiggins

Samuel is a 10 year old boy who stammers who loves life and all that it has to offer. He lives with his older sister Abigail who is 12 and me, Victoria Wiggins, his mom. When Samuel was about 7 he was signed up with a modelling agency and his confidence grew. He has always loved being in front of a camera and I have always loved taking the pictures. 

As a mother you have many worries about your children. Will they fit in? Will they make friends? Will they get bullied? The worries never end. As the years went by I soon realized that I didn’t need to worry.  Samuel’s confidence and resilience showed he could hold his own. Over the past few years his modelling has taken off and he has appeared in magazines, on billboards and online.

Samuel was starting a new school and was nervous about being teased because of his stammer. We decided to write a poem about stammering, to help other children and raise awareness about stammering. With a little help, Sam wrote the following poem. This poem celebrates the journey of words, resilience, and highlights how to support a child who stammers while celebrating being you.

I HAVE A STAMMER

I have a stammer
It’s a part of me
My words can get stuck
And they don’t flow free 

It doesn’t mean I’m shy 
I’m not weak or scared 
Sometimes my words
Are just hard to be heard 

The words are right there 
On the tip of my tongue 
They often get stuck
And my pauses are long 

Sometimes I repeat 
A sound or a word
This makes it hard 
For my voice to be heard 

I ask you to wait 
Be patient and smile 
My words will come out 
But It may take a while 

Don’t finish my sentence
Don’t laugh and don’t stare 
Just give me some time
And show me you care

The more I relax 
I want you to know 
I feel more confident 
And the easier they flow 

I am important too
My opinions still matter
I just struggle to keep up
With the flow of the chatter 

Be happy being you 
And that is the key 
I have a stammer 
It’s what make me, Me ☺

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Comments

I Have a Stammer- Samuel and Victoria Wiggins — 39 Comments

  2. My friend Sam,

    You are an amazing young man, with the world at your fingertips. You are a born leader.
    It’s OK to be nervous; it’s OK to be scared about things involving your stammer. Keep pushing as you have and you’ll continue to build the courage needed to get through life on top.
    Thank you for reminding us to be open about our stammer. Awesome poem!

    All: I asked Sam during an interview what we adults could do to help him. He said, “Educate people.”

    OK Sam. You got it!

    Tom
    World Stuttering Network (WSN)

    • Thank you so much Tom

      We have learnt so much in the short time since we wrote Sam’s poem. There is so much support out there, I know Sam will never be alone.

      Education is most definitely key. Thank you for all your support.

  3. I remember first seeing the performance video of this poem a while back. One of my favorites to think about. Thank you, Sam for speaking your truest truth and for being so brave in being yourself. No one can teach that, and you have it fully! I wish I had that courage as a ten year old. <3 <3 <3

    • Thank you for your kind comment.
      Sam is absolutely thrilled that his poem has touched so many people.

  4. I love this amazing poem and you have such strength at such a young age and are a role model for so many other young kids AND adults.

    What advice do you have for other young kids who may not be as confident as you are? Also, how did modeling give you inner confidence when modeling is all about getting external acceptance by others?

    Thanks for the amazing poem and keep up the amazing work!

    • Hi

      Thank you for your message.

      My advice ofr other children is to be happy in who you are, your stammer is not a bad thing. People will accept that that is the way you speak. I found that by doing a PowerPoint presentation every year for my new class and teacher helped to build my confidence and helped my friends to understand my stammer better. My speech therapist helped me to put my presentation together and in the early days she would come into school and help me with my presentation until I was confident enough to do it myself.

      I have always enjoyed being infront of the cameras as it made me feel good inside, I love being a supporting actor and am confident in this. I do not yet feel confident enough to do a speaking role in my acting but I am working on this and from all the supoort I have received through my poem I’m feeling more confident about trying.

  5. Reading this poem had me grinning ear to ear. Not many people who stutter/stammer can so willingly talk about it, and put it out there.
    This poem is amazing. I first read it on the BSA Facebook page, and was so happy that we made it work to share it globally.

    Well done Sam and mom.

    • Thank you so much, we never in a million years expected the response the poem has had.

      We have received so many comments from parents of children who stammer, adults who stammer and people who do not stammer saying that they feel better educated.
      Our aim is to educate people about stammering and support others letting them know they are not alone.

  6. Sam,
    You are so inspiring! You are so strong at such a young age, and extremely talented! I was blown away reading your poem and the positivity you have. I truly think you can accomplish anything that you put your mind to. Good luck in this world, stay happy, and keep smiling! 🙂

    Chloe Kendra

  7. Samuel,
    Your message was so inspiring to me especially at such a young age! The confidence you have within yourself to not let others get you down is an important life lesson all should learn. You have the ability to show the world that having a stammer is okay and one can overcome whatever they set their hearts and minds to.

    Samantha

    • Thank you Samantha, our aim is to educate as many people as possible and help others to feel more confident about their stammer.

      Sam’s new favourite phrase… Rock your stammer!

  8. Hi Samuel and Victoria,

    Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this wonderful poem! I am a person who stutters and a Speech-Language Pathologist and not only have I been so deeply touched by your poem but I have discussed with several of the kids who stutter I work with and they all really enjoyed it and related to your words. It made them feel more understood and less alone. Thank you so much for sharing this, you are already making such a difference in the world and I have no doubt that you will continue to do so. Stay awesome and take care! 🙂
    -Tiffani

    • Thank you for your message Tiffani, we are absolutely thrilled that Sam’s poem has helped so many other children.
      We have received messages from speech therapists asking to use his poem in their sessions. I had a message this week from a parent whose school had shown the video in their daughters class.

      We are so happy that it has reached so many people.

      • Hello Sam and Victoria I am so proud of you guys that you were able to do thsi as a team.What love and courage you both show.Victoria I cant really find the words to say what you done with Sam and what hww has doen withy you will make his journey in life so much richer and full. xxx Phyllis.

        • Hi Phyllis

          Thank you for your kind comnents.im glad you liked Sam’s poem, we had fun writing it.
          He is an amazing little boy with so much courage, I’m a very lucky mummy

  9. Samuel & Victoria,
    This is such a powerful and inspiring poem to everyone who reads it. This is an incredible way to educate others and help build confidence in those who do stammer. You are a courageous young man, Sam, and you have a wonderful future ahead of you! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful poem!

    • Thank you for your message, we’re delighted that you liked Sam’s poem.
      Sam is so excited that it has helped others and spread awareness.

  10. Samuel & Victoria,

    What an inspiring and beautiful poem! It is the perfect way to spread awareness and build confidence in children with a stammer! This should be published! Sam, never be anything less than yourself and let your light shine! Thank you for sharing!

    – Madilyne Logan

    • Hi loganmm

      Thank you for your message.
      Getting the poem published is something that we are definitely interested in and looking into.

      We are both so happy that it has touches so many people. Sam is such an amazing little boy and I am such a lucky mummy.

  11. Hi Samuel and Victoria

    At the age of 10 my stutter started and completely side-tracked my life into a wrong direction. (As in my paper.) And look at you. A mother who gets it and a 10YO boy who is lifting other kids’ spirit. Not just by the poem, explaining what stuttering is like and that we’re ok, but also to follow a dream that includes a lot of social activity. I wish I would have met you guys when I was 10. I wish all kids would meet you! And that your poem not only gets published, but that it will be framed and hung up in every school. You rock, Samuel! (Victoria, I have a question to you and Samuel. Could you make contact with me through social media or an email to scatsis@gmail.com before the 22nd?)

    Stay safe and keep talking, as loud as you can!

    Anita Blom

    • Hi Anita

      Thank you ☺
      Sam really is the most amazing boy ever, he just loves life and all it has to offer. He makes me incredibly proud every day and reading all the comments on here and social media have been mind blowing. He has helped so many others.

      I will email you now. Thank you

  12. Hello Sam & Victoria,

    Thank you both so much for sharing this poem, this wisdom, with us. It’s very helpful, and I am grateful to you both.

    This path that you demonstrate, unapologetic stammering while taking the time to explain to other who probably have no clue what stammering is, is liberating. With this attitude, you can become whatever you choose. I hope that many other PWS, and parents, will benefit from this message.

    Thank you
    Hanan

    • Hi Hanan

      Thank you for your comment.

      Sam is thrilled they his poem has helped so many other people with a stammer and other to understand stammering.

  13. Sam and Victoria,

    Thank you so much for sharing your poem with us all! This poem was so inspiring and such a great way to educate others, spread awareness, and encourage others to remain confident. I loved it!

    • Hi Kathryngarcia

      Thank you and thank you so much for reading Sam’s poem..
      We are pleased you like it

  14. Samuel Wiggins,
    I was so impressed that you have been so proactive in educating your classmates and teachers about your stutter. Your poem was so beautiful and helped me understand how to be helpful to others I meet that may stutter. I was curious if you have other strategies when meeting new kids at parks or other places when they have not seen your presentation. Thank you for sharing your poem.

    Loralee Farrer

    • Hi Loralee

      Thank you so much for your message and we’re glad you enjoyed Sam’s poem.

      I asked Sam about strategies when out and about and he said, I just explain that I have a stammer and I repeat words or sounds or sometimes get stuck and ask them not to finish my sentences or make fun of me.

      Sam is confident enough to do this when he meets someone new.

      • I think that is wonderful that he has a strategy that he can use at any time and the confidence to use it.

  15. Thank you Sam and Victoria!
    As we spoke yesterday, I could feel your vision and passion, and we all feel the impact Sam/you have already made in the world.
    We shared Sam’s video in the collection of “Best Stuttering videos” and shared his poem video and links to media on our blog post!
    What a treasure.
    And what a mother/son team!!!

  16. Sam and Victoria,

    I am a graduate student studying speech-language pathology. Family, friends, and acquaintances sometimes ask me, “What exactly is stuttering? What is it like?” I want to share this poem with everyone who has ever asked me this question. I am not a person who stutters, and I cannot speak for every person with a stutter or a different communication disorder. However, your poem simply and beautifully describes characteristics, emotions, and insight of a person who stutters.
    I personally feel that this poem should be displayed in places as a tool for awareness. I think that this would show and explain to others what stuttering is, and what is like to have a stutter. Your words are truthful and passionate.
    It is also important to recognize that, no matter our hardships and disabilities, they make us who we are, and we are all perfect anyways. Our struggles and achievements build us all into the people we are today. I appreciate your piece so much!
    Thank you,
    Nicole

    • Hi Nicole

      Thank you for your message.

      Our poem started out as sam had had a difficult year so we decided to get his feelings on paper. From there we wrote a poem, I feel that the poem has so much emotion as Sam was able to really express how he was feeling.

      Our aim is to educate as many people as possible about stammering and help as many people feel more confident in who they are.

      We are seeing Sam’s poem popping up everywhere around the globe and are absolutely thrilled by the response it has received.

      Many thanks
      Victoria and Sam

  17. Sam and Victoria,
    I am a second year graduate student pursiuing a degree in speech-language pathology. I want to say thank you for sharing this poem. I have one little boy who stutters, and he is so full of life and energy. He is happy as can be and I am always so patient with him. I cannot express how thankful I am to have read your poem because I truly feel that this is so important for other children who stutter, to read. This can change their whole perspective of themselves becuase not all who stutter feel confident in their own skin.
    It is important to share with others as well, in understanding that we must be patient. To put ourselves in their shoes and understand that they are able to communicate, it just takes a little longer. Thank you for the imagery that you provided through this beautiful poem. I will be sharing this with future clients and parents.
    Thank you,
    Janeth

    • Hi Janeth

      Thank you for your message.

      Sam’s poem has helped so many, we’re so pleased that you like it too.

      Please feel free to share far and wide.

      Many thanks
      Victoria and sam

  18. Such an amazing post! I think this is such a great way to express yourself. This poem is so educational and I think it would be so great for other people who stutter to read. This can help people who stutter feel better about their stammer and it’s great to share with people who don’t stutter so they can understand what others are going through. Thank you for sharing!

    • Hi Mcaffrey

      Thank you for your message. I’m glad you liked our poem.

      Please feel free to share far and wide to help others

      Many thanks
      Victoria and sam

  19. Sam and I would like to thank everyone who logged in to read our poem and for the comments.
    We have really enjoyed being a part of ISAD 2020.

    Thank you