About the Author:

Sam Wiggins is 11 years old and lives in Chester (UK) with his mum and older sister Abigail. Over the past 18 months Sam has been heavily involved within the stammering community, he has written and recited many poems to help raise awareness about stammering and to help other children like him. Sam enjoys meeting new people, chatting, gaming and riding his scooter. Last year he took on the role of chairman of the World stuttering network youth committee and enjoyed running meeting for children all around the world who stammer. Sam is looking forward to taking part in ISAD this year with his poems as he did last year.

Introductory Statement

This poem was written as my stammer had changed over time this year resulting in me finding it hard to say my name. I was having for more blocks and becoming frustrated so I decided to write a poem about the challenges and feeling of saying your name. In this video you can here me recite my poem. Below is the poem itself.

I also wrote another poem which I haven’t recited yet, but I’ll share that one with you too.

3 little letters

3 little letters
Just 3 little letters
So hard to say
Just 3 little letters
I use every day
My heart starts to pound
And my throat so dry
I struggle to get it out
No matter how hard I try
I open my mouth
The words won’t come out
My face becomes tense
I just want to shout
My mouth fixed frozen
My eyes open wide
I feel frustrated
And I’m bursting inside
The letter makes its way
To the end of my tongue
It still doesn’t come out
And the sound is so long
Out of my mouth
My name finally tumbles
I’m feeling so tense
And my whole body rumbles
I managed to say my name
I took a while, it wasn’t fast
I let out a sigh
I’ve done it at last!
So before you ask
Have you forgotten your name?
Stop and be patient
There’s no need to shame.
My name is Sam
Sometimes so hard to say!
3 little letters
I use every day.

Rule the world

I have a stammer

And I’m proud to be me

I have a stammer

And it’s who I want to be

I have a stammer

There’s no need to be shy

I have a stammer

I’ll give everything a try

I have a stammer

It’s just the way I speak

I have a stammer

It doesn’t mean I’m weak

I have a stammer

I still put my hand up in class

I have a stammer

I am amazing at maths

I have a stammer

Say what I want to say

I have a stammer

I might rule the world one day

I have a stammer

The world is at my feet

I have a stammer

And I certainly won’t be beat

I have a stammer

I’m perfect the way I am

I have a stammer

Remember the name Sam

Comments

Three little letters – Sam Wiggins — 25 Comments

Phyllis Edwards on October 2, 2021 at 7:17 am said:

Hello Sam well done you are such a shining light so proud of you.
- SamAndMum on October 5, 2021 at 8:59 pm said:
  
  Thank you Phyllis.
Shiran on October 3, 2021 at 11:17 am said:

Sam! You’re awesome and so brave!
You can definitely rule the world some day.
- SamAndMum on October 5, 2021 at 8:59 pm said:
  
  Thank you Shiran. The world is his oyster.
Dr. Pallavi Kelkar on October 5, 2021 at 4:58 pm said:

So beautifully put Sam!
- SamAndMum on October 5, 2021 at 9:00 pm said:
  
  Thank you DR Pallavi Kelkar
Chaya Goldstein on October 5, 2021 at 10:46 pm said:

Sam, wow, what a poem, and what a performance! I am so proud of you and can’t wait to share your poem with other kids who stutter.
- SamAndMum on October 6, 2021 at 8:29 pm said:
  
  Hi Chaya
  I’m glad you like my poem, yes please do share with other children.
  My aim is to help as many children as possible and educate people too.
  
  Thank you
Randy Panzarino on October 8, 2021 at 2:33 pm said:

Sam, you are a truly gifted poet. Your piece “3 Little Letters” is such a real and eloquent description of what it’s like for a person who stammers to say their name. Thank you for sharing with the world.

-Randy
- SamAndMum on October 16, 2021 at 2:49 pm said:
  
  Hi Randy
  
  Thank you for your kind comments.
Anita S. Blom on October 9, 2021 at 9:48 am said:

Oh Sam you are such a treasure
Watching you recite is such a pleasure
I wish I’d met you when I was young
To help me to no longer hold my tongue
You have such a powerful voice
Like Greta, you can really make some noise
Just one question that might make you laugh:
Can I get your autograph? 😉
- SamAndMum on October 16, 2021 at 2:51 pm said:
  
  Hi Anita
  
  Thank you ☺
  Ha ha yes you can have my autograph (Sam)
  
  Was lovely chatting today Anita
Paige on October 10, 2021 at 9:43 pm said:

Such powerful words from a child. Acceptance and determination go a long way. More adults should have the same outlook as Sam. Great job and beautiful poems! -Paige Gonzalez
- SamAndMum on October 16, 2021 at 2:52 pm said:
  
  Thank you Paige
  
  I believe acceptance is the reason Sam has the confidence he does today. We celebrate differences in our house
spearmanak14 on October 16, 2021 at 1:58 pm said:

Hi Sam,
Thank you so much for sharing your poem. It powerfully conveys your experiences in such a tangible way that others can relate to. I look forward to looking back at it and using it as a resource for children and adults, alike. I think it’s also a great way for kids to explain their similar experiences with parents, teachers, and friends, as well. Thank you, again.

Best,
Alissa
- SamAndMum on October 16, 2021 at 2:53 pm said:
  
  Hi Alissa
  
  Thank you
  My aim is to educate as many people as possible about stammering and to help as many children and so they don’t feel alone.
TomScharstein on October 16, 2021 at 3:52 pm said:

Sam, you are a superhero to the worldwide stuttering community! I think ‘remembering the name Sam’ will not be a problem. You’re doing great buddy!
Bond66 on October 18, 2021 at 1:28 pm said:

Sam you rock! What a brilliant poem and so well recited! Full of passion! Yes do share this with as many people as possible you will be sharing a very important message – that it is absolutely more than okay to stammer. You are also acting as a magnificent model showing people about how to talk about their stammering openly, and most importantly telling people about what you need! Super splendid – well done!
annikapaz on October 20, 2021 at 3:35 am said:

hi sam!!

i absolutely loved your poem! you are a powerful poet and you have such a bright future 🙂 you are right when you say the world is at your feet, there is no doubt about that.
what would you like to say to encourage other kids younger than you who also stutter?

sincerely,
Annika Paz
Amour D Louis on October 20, 2021 at 8:28 pm said:

Hi Sam,
I love both poems!!! You have an amazing future ahead. It was amazing to understand your point of view as a kid who stutters.
ddeck474 on October 21, 2021 at 12:09 am said:

Hello Sam!
I really loved your poems! I am studying right now to become a speech pathologist and your poem three little letters taught me a lot. I will never know what it is like to have a block but now I understand what it feels like for you and other children with this type of stutter/stammer. I am so impressed by all the work you have done through your involvement in the world stuttering youth committee. You are already building a reputation and changing the word with your words. Keep up the great work! I hope I can share your words with other children to help them see they are never to young to make an impact!
Dawn
whit7332 on October 21, 2021 at 6:35 pm said:

Sam, wow, what a fantastic poem. Your words paint such a descriptive, relatable picture of how you feel when saying your name. As a current speech language pathology student, I would love to save your video and poem to share with future clients – is that alright with you? I think you are an inspiration and can help other people who stutter not feel so alone.

Did you find that writing these poems and sharing them via ISAD helped relieve some of your frustration? If you could give advice to other children who stutter about their experiences and frustrations, what would you tell them?

Thanks again for sharing your poem, it was truly moving!
kelseymaier on October 22, 2021 at 4:42 am said:

Sam,

Your poems are truly wonderful! They convey so much meaning and emotion and they will absolutely inspire many. It is so encouraging to see a young person such as yourself expressing your thoughts feelings in such a beautiful way. It is so apparent that you have a bright future ahead of you! And you’re right, you are perfect the way you are!

Thank you for sharing!
Kelsey
Velma Bender on October 30, 2021 at 8:43 pm said:

Hi Sam,

Thank you for sharing your poem. Your poem was very encouraging. I too write poetry and I say that poetry is worth a 1000 pictures. Thank you for painting a picture that allows us to see the brave young man that you are. Many blessings to you!!!
cpriol1 on November 1, 2021 at 1:28 am said:

Sam,

Thank you so much for sharing your poems! You’ve written such amazing work. This is the best and clearest description I’ve ever heard of what it feels like during a moment of stuttering. As a person who does not stutter, I am so grateful to hear your perspective and better understand others. Your message is so important and I’m so glad I got to hear it today. Your second poem gave me chills. I still struggle a lot with self confidence and doubt about myself. Reading these words made me realize that I need to stop being so critical of myself and be proud of who I am and everything that makes me me. I cannot thank you enough for sharing these beautiful poems!

-Cappi Priola