JENNY STRIPLIN

Jenny has been educating people about stuttering for a long time.  I met her at a seminar on stuttering hosted by Gail Wilson Lew about 8 years ago.  Jenny was there to talk about her experiences as a person who stutters and about her perspective as a mother of children who stutter.  When I met her she was actually giving a very poised speech while holding her baby- a balancing act for sure!

As with all of the interviewees in WHEN I STUTTER, I really appreciated that Jenny let me into her life.  She allowed me to film her interacting with her children on several different occasions.  This is poignant because so many people who watch the film are concerned parents of children who stutter and I think they feel an affinity with Jenny.

This past summer Jenny attended Camp Shout Out in Muskegon Michigan as a volunteer.  Camp Shout Out is a camp for kids who stutter and it can be a place where many positive transformations happen in the lives of young people.  Jenny’s presence at the camp was just another expression of her dedication to helping people who stutter.

 

I’m at the point in my life where I realize that stuttering does not define me. I actually welcome the opportunity to educate people about disfluency and enjoy advocating for myself and others.

 

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

Most people who watch the film always comment to me about the scene in my car during school pick up. Seeing the everyday life of a mom who stutters and the interactIon with her kids has given viewers a glimpse into the nuances of parenting & ways in which I’ve gently educated my younger children about the reality of living with speech challenges.

 

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

The most memorable part of making the film was when John came back to my community to shoot some scenes with me and my younger children at the park. Seeing how much they’ve grown just makes that particular footage so heartwarming & really demonstrates how my stuttering does not impact the unconditional love of my young children.

 

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

I am surprised at the incredibly large number of people who are continuing to see the film at different venues. I often hear the comment that it has been a life-changing documentary and that they want to get the movie out to as many of their peers as possible. Seeing the momentum that this film has garnered continues to surprise & amaze me.

 

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

After this film was released, I’ve had the opportunity to speak at a number of the premieres. I also continue to speak to parents, speech pathologists, and other people who stutter whenever I get the opportunity.

 

What’s your relationship with stuttering now?

I’m at the point in my life where I realize that stuttering does not define me. I actually welcome the opportunity to educate people about disfluency and enjoy advocating for myself and others.

 

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

The most important thing is to remember that stuttering doesn’t define you. I think we all go on our own journey getting to that point, but remembering that this is just a piece of you will keep you focused on all of your many unique & fascinating attributes. 

 

Purchase WHEN I STUTTER to watch

Jenny and 18 other compelling individuals

talk about their journey with stuttering.