When I Stutter

John Gomez has brought to the stuttering community and the world a very significant contribution to experiencing what it is to live with the baffling, thus far incurable disorder known as stuttering. Not just a mesmerizing documentary, but a true testament to the indomitable human spirit, WHEN I STUTTER follows the struggles of several PWS (person who stutters) including actual therapy sessions which help to illuminate the frustrations and complexities of trying to come to terms with an activity that for approximately 99 percent of the world's population is as easy and effortless as breathing in and out. For the remaining one percent, the act of daily communication is often like attempting to scale Mt. Everest; one never knows if the next word, phrase or sentence will result in a free-fall into struggle, panic, avoidance and despair. I recommend this film without reservation. A must see whether or not you stutter--and most people know at least someone who does suffer from this condition. As a PWS myself, I found myself enthralled and left the screening with renewed hope and determination that anything can be overcome with work and courage.

WHEN I STUTTER is a wonderfully made documentary that dispels a lot of misconceptions about stuttering. As a person who stutters, I feel John has hit the nail on the head. His documentary should be a teaching tool for academia professionals, as many are misinformed.

I have a co-worker and family member who stutter and I thought this film did an excellent job addressing issues that are often ignored. Mr. Gomez did an excellent job highlighting the frustrations some people experience with the issue and I highly recommend this film even if you do not know someone who stutters.

John Gomez has created a film that is long overdue. He sheds light on the challenging and often confusing condition (to those who stutter and those who treat it!) of dysfluency. He does so with compassion and respect, allowing his participants to tell their own stories and masterfully weaving it all together. The way the stories unfold and the creative use of the medium kept me engaged and surprised. As a speech therapist, I am always looking for ways to better understand and approach this elusive condition. I felt educated, entertained and better off for having seen this beautiful film.

This movie was so informative for me to watch and understand the challenges from people who stutter perspective.

I of course lived in a house, where you never interrupted or finished a stuttering person's sentence. There were so many unwritten rules that were tribal knowledge. I have a close personal friend who stutters and she has mentioned that I know the tribal knowledge rules, of waiting patiently while the stuttering person progresses through their block.

This movie highlights the day to day challenges that stuttering people face on a daily basis. The stories are real and authentic and genuine. I found watching this movie so enlightening to the tribal knowledge of my family that I hadn't figured out.