RIGO GARCIA

I was introduced to Rigo Garcia through my old professor and mentor Steve Paulson. Steve would regularly invite Rigo to Cal State LA to share his life as a person who stutters with students studying speech pathology. One day I was invited to watch Rigo talk and I was impressed with his openness and willingness to educate students about how stuttering had impacted his life. At the time, Rigo was a laser-focused student and had a dream of becoming a speech-language pathologist. In the interview below you will see that dreams do come true… I am proud of Rigo on so many levels and I’m honored to work alongside him in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

“The more education you provide to others, the less you have to hide it and create unnecessary stress, pressure, and anxiety.”

What has been the response from others about you in the film?

People have been supportive, excited, and happy for me. Some have even called me a “movie star” but I don’t see it that way at all. I have been lucky enough to control my stutter as I have and the utmost responsibility I put upon myself has always been to move the conversation forward about stuttering— to educate, move, and inspire. I like “advocate” better.

What was your favorite or most memorable part of the process of making the film?

My favorite part about participating in the documentary was actually realizing how far I have come. As a child, around the age of 5, I was profound and exhibited all the secondary characteristics. It usually took me about 15-20 min to say “hello.” I enjoyed being asked the array of questions that picked my brain and made me look at my stutter from a different angle and in a different light. And in the process, I learned that I am a fighter and much stronger than I thought. When you’re too consumed into being fluent as much possible every moment of each day, things like this often go unnoticed. Thank you, John.

What has surprised you about the film since it was first presented?

What has surprised me about the film is the number of people and places, nationally and internationally, that have welcomed the film with open arms. What a great way to spread awareness and shed some light on the disorder for others on the outside looking in.

What’s changed in your life since we saw you in the film?

Lot’s has happened since the filming. When interviewed, I was a “Speech Teacher” and taking my post-baccalaureate classes in Communicative Disorders at Cal State Los Angeles. Now, I am an ASHA certified “CCC-SLP.” The journey was never easy but my tenacious spirit (and stubbornness thanks to my stutter) was always bigger than my willingness to give up.

What’s your relationship with stuttering now?

Like they say, “keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” I am comfortable with my stutter being part of me. I’ve accepted it but will never let it control or define me anymore. I’ve learned to embrace it— and I don’t think I would take a magic elixir to make it all go away. It is what has made me, me. And right now, I am so comfortable in my own skin.

What’s some advice for people who are on their journey with stuttering?

Don’t fight it. Embrace it and be transparent with people. The more education you provide to others, the less you have to hide it and create unnecessary stress, pressure, and anxiety. Be bold. Be tenacious. Fluent or not, speak with confidence. When I changed my attitude about my stutter, my level of fluency improved drastically. People often can not tell that I am a person who stutters (PWS).