Amy Fadool sits down with the South Jersey native, former NBA star Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, to have a conversation about how he overcame a stutter, and now that his playing career is over, how he’s helping kids across the country do the same thing. Video coutesy of NBC Sports Philadelphia via Youtube

State Sen. Jamaal T. Bailey (S.D. 36), who broadly represents the Bronx neighborhoods of Woodlawn Heights, Wakefield, Edenwald, Williamsbridge, Olinville, Allerton, Pelham Gardens, Co-Op City, Baychester, Parkside Housing Project, Eastchester, Laconia, as well as Mount Vernon in Westchester County, is joining forces with stuttering champion and NBA Veteran Michael Kidd-Gilchrist to advocate for New York’s stuttering community.

 

“As someone who has stuttered my entire life, I know firsthand how life-changing access to speech therapy can be,” said Kidd-Gilchrist. “I appreciate Senator Bailey for his support, and I hope this proposed legislation will make a real difference in the lives of children who stutter and their families across the state of New York.”

Bailey, along with Kidd-Gilchrist’s support is introducing Senate Bill S3654 which would increase coverage related to speech therapy for stuttering.

 

The bill also aims to prevent health insurance policies from denying patient claims through utilization reviews. Kidd-Gilchrist shared his personal story as a person who stutters and his advocacy work to help others after being introduced by Bailey during a Senate Insurance Committee Hearing on Monday, May 5. Subsequently, the bill passed through committee the same day.

“We’re committed to ensuring every voice, especially those of our youngest, is heard and supported,” the senator and Bronx Democratic Party chair said. “Stuttering is too often misunderstood and overlooked, and Senate Bill S3654 is a step toward justice in care. By removing unnecessary barriers to therapy, we’re standing with families, providers, and advocates to make sure no one is denied the chance to speak freely and confidently. I hope more people have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. Thank you to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist for your continued advocacy and work.”

 

Stuttering affects 1% of the United States population; roughly 3.5 million Americans, according to the Stuttering Foundation of America, and is a highly stigmatized speech difference that is genetically based. Experts say most children start stuttering between the ages of 2 to 6 and it can affect the male population four times more than the female population.

Emily Blunt Opens Up About Being Bullied For Her Childhood Stutter | PeopleTV courtesy of Flip your Wig via YouTube.

Kidd-Gilchrist is widely recognized for his basketball career as a University of Kentucky Men’s Basketball Champion (2012) and the second overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Over his nine-year NBA career, he played for the Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets and the Dallas Mavericks. Michael is also a person who stutters.

 

He personally advocates at the federal and state level to drive systemic change for those who stutter and is also the Founder of Change & Impact, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to improving healthcare access and expanding resources for individuals who stutter.

Emily Blunt Opens Up About Being Bullied For Her Childhood Stutter | PeopleTV courtesy of People Magazine via YouTube.

Other famous people who have overcome their ongoing battle with a stutter are former Democratic U.S. President Joe Biden and actress Emily Blunt. The president was seen stopping to speak with a young boy at a public event in 2021 and offering his contact details and help to deal with his stutter, while Blunt has talked openly about the condition in several interviews.

 

Bailey was recently named to the 2025 class of @NewDEALLeaders by Democrats for Education Reform, Democrats who are leading a national political organization that they say cultivates and supports leaders in the Democratic Party who champion America’s public school children. “Sen. Bailey‘s commitment to equity, innovation, and expanding opportunity in education makes him a standout leader,” they wrote. “We are proud to see him recognized nationally. #NewDEALers” 

For more information and resources on stuttering, click here and  here. For some other basketball related coverage, click here, here, and here.