Gail Wilson Lew

SPOILER ALERT! If you have not already seen WHEN I STUTTER, then you will want to see it before reading this interview with Gail.  Additionally, some of the following introduction has been taken from the book “Becoming an Exceptional Leader: Inspiration from 14 Accomplished Disability Changemakers” where I talk about the making of WHEN I STUTTER.

I am not a person who stutters, and technically, I am not, or at least I was not, a filmmaker. The idea for WHEN I STUTTER came to me when I was a student trying to get through a famously competitive communication disorders program at California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State, LA). It is probably also worth mentioning that prior to the summer of 2008, my level of interest in stuttering was no greater than in any other area of communication. That changed when I met Gail Wilson Lew. Without her, WHEN I STUTTER probably wouldn’t exist.

That particular summer, Gail was teaching our graduate-level stuttering course and this class intrigued me like none other.  Perhaps the aspect of this class that caught my attention most was when Gail told us stories about negative reactions people had to her stuttering when she was younger.  She also showed us short clips from other documentaries that featured people who stutter, and they shared the profound emotional impact that stuttering had on their lives. I found these testimonials to be very earnest and heartfelt. At a certain point, I realized that we were no longer talking about the science of communication disorders; we were talking about the complex emotions of the human condition.  And that was the spark!

Now that the film has been out in the world for 3 years I can look back and be grateful for so many things.  Among them was that this angel of a woman came into my life and inspired WHEN I STUTTER.  She has accompanied me on many screenings and I’ve had the great pleasure of getting to know her even better.  And, I’d like for you to know her a little better too.

In the film, we see a dedicated speech-language pathologist that really helps Jason on his journey with stuttering.  We also get a glimpse into her past that showed her struggle with stuttering.  However, if you think you know her from the movie, think again.   

Gail is a wonderfully dynamic human being that is just full of surprises.  For example, If you know her as a therapist or professor you may not know that she loves David Bowie.  She also has a special place in her heart for Italian filmmakers- ask her about Gianmarco D’Agustino some time. 

There is just so much to Gail that could not be conveyed in the film.  She is a fantastic storyteller and has an offbeat sense of humor that has split my sides on more than a few occasions.  She can also break your heart when she shares some of her early experiences with stuttering.  Her dedication to helping people who stutter knows no bounds…  She is humble, charming, talented, ambitious, persistent, quirky (in a great way) and lovable.   Oh, and she is the person that reached out to Barry Guitar and arranged an interview for me.

If you like WHEN I STUTTER and feel that it has made a difference in the world, thank Gail Wilson Lew sometime.  I know I do every time I see her.

 

“Don’t let Stuttering define you!  Seek out an NSA support group to find like-minded people.  The more you are open about your stuttering the less you will be affected by unwarranted shame and embarrassment you might feel.”

 

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

One of my closest friends has seen the film 5 times and she says she never gets tired of watching it.  I have put on several workshops but I had never before received standing ovations as I did with this film!

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

Working with Jason, watching him improve and feel better about himself.

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

I was shocked that it resonated and continues to do so in many cultures and languages.  I never dreamed that it would be so well received around the entire world.  Seeing people in the audience cry from the participant’s stories has touched me.

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

Because of the film I have had the opportunity to do a lot of traveling- Vermont, Ohio, Kansas, New Mexico, various parts of California, Michigan, New York, Texas, and even Portugal. During my traveling with the film, I have met incredibly kind, generous, and compassionate people!

What’s your relationship with stuttering now?

There are days where I don’t think about it much and then bam something triggers it like COVID.  I had to teach and do therapy online.  This was a whole new experience and frankly, I was more stressed about the technical side of it which caused me to stutter more.

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

Don’t let Stuttering define you!  Seek out an NSA support group to find like-minded people.  The more you are open about your stuttering the less you will be affected by unwarranted shame and embarrassment you might feel.

 

Purchase WHEN I STUTTER to watch

Gail and 18 other compelling individuals

talk about their journey with stuttering.