His supportive family and friends inspired confidence in Springer as he grew up. He now strives to “get past it.” “It is what it is,” he says. “You can't let it prohibit you from going out and living life.”


Springer was speaking with children who stutter when he realized he could instill confidence in children who struggled as he did. “I had an epiphany,’’ he says. “I realized, seeing these kids and seeing the pain that they go through because they feel bullied and they feel isolated, and that’s so sad. So I decided right then and there, I’m going to expose myself as somebody who stutters.”


And Springer did just that. He fearlessly faced interviews and even elected to wear a microphone during his All-Star game in Miami for an interview with Fox Sports. “I can’t spread a message to kids and adults if I’m not willing to put myself out there,” he told reporters after the game. “I understand I’m going to stutter. I don’t care. It is what it is. It’s not going to stop me from talking or having fun.”


George Springer’s refusal to stay silent and hide his stutter serves as an inspiration to all. We, at the Stuttering Foundation, hope that his example will encourage those who stutter to face their fears head-on. As Springer says, “Don't let anybody or anything get in the way of who you are and who you want to be.”


1


Photos Courtesy of the Houston Astros


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31