{"id":4325,"date":"2025-10-28T11:20:06","date_gmt":"2025-10-28T15:20:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/say.org\/?page_id=4325"},"modified":"2025-11-14T11:35:31","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T16:35:31","slug":"founders-message-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/say.org\/?page_id=4325","title":{"rendered":"Founder&#8217;s Message"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-light has-custom-content-position is-position-top-left\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--80);min-height:80vh;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"2063\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-3922 size-full\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/say.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/history10-scaled.jpg\" style=\"object-position:61% 21%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"61% 21%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/say.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/history10-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/say.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/history10-300x242.jpg 300w, https:\/\/say.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/history10-1024x825.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/say.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/history10-768x619.jpg 768w, https:\/\/say.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/history10-1536x1238.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/say.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/history10-2048x1650.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group wp-container-content-9cfa9a5a is-vertical is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-694522eb wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id4325_dae68c-7c{margin-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxl, 5rem);}.kb-row-layout-id4325_dae68c-7c > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:center;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id4325_dae68c-7c > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:center;}.kb-row-layout-id4325_dae68c-7c > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:var( --global-content-width, 1290px );padding-left:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-right:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xl, 4rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id4325_dae68c-7c > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.66;mix-blend-mode:normal;}.kb-row-layout-id4325_dae68c-7c{z-index:5;position:relative;}.kb-row-layout-id4325_dae68c-7c .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:100px;}.kb-row-layout-id4325_dae68c-7c .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:100%;}.kb-row-layout-id4325_dae68c-7c .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{fill:#ffffff!important;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id4325_dae68c-7c > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id4325_dae68c-7c .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:80px;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id4325_dae68c-7c .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id4325_dae68c-7c > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-3xl, 6.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id4325_dae68c-7c .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep{height:60px;}.kb-row-layout-id4325_dae68c-7c .kt-row-layout-bottom-sep svg{width:%;}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id4325_dae68c-7c alignfull has-theme-palette2-background-color kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-middle kb-theme-content-width\">\n<style>.kadence-column4325_0b2bdb-3f > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);}.kadence-column4325_0b2bdb-3f > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column4325_0b2bdb-3f > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:24px;border-top-right-radius:24px;border-bottom-right-radius:24px;border-bottom-left-radius:24px;}.kadence-column4325_0b2bdb-3f > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column4325_0b2bdb-3f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column4325_0b2bdb-3f > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column4325_0b2bdb-3f > .kt-inside-inner-col{background-color:var(--global-palette8, #F7FAFC);}.kadence-column4325_0b2bdb-3f > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;mix-blend-mode:difference;}.kadence-column4325_0b2bdb-3f{position:relative;}.kadence-column4325_0b2bdb-3f, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column4325_0b2bdb-3f:not(.specificity){margin-bottom:-70px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column4325_0b2bdb-3f > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column4325_0b2bdb-3f > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:24px;border-top-right-radius:24px;border-bottom-right-radius:24px;border-bottom-left-radius:24px;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column4325_0b2bdb-3f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column4325_0b2bdb-3f, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column4325_0b2bdb-3f:not(.specificity){margin-bottom:-60px;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column4325_0b2bdb-3f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column4325_0b2bdb-3f inner-column-1\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_f17978-4d, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_f17978-4d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_f17978-4d\"]{text-align:center;font-size:var(--global-kb-font-size-xl, 3rem);line-height:1;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_f17978-4d mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_f17978-4d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_f17978-4d\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_f17978-4d img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_f17978-4d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_f17978-4d\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_f17978-4d, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_f17978-4d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_f17978-4d\"]{font-size:var(--global-kb-font-size-xxl, 4rem);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_f17978-4d, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_f17978-4d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_f17978-4d\"]{font-size:40px;line-height:1.2;}}<\/style>\n<h1 class=\"kt-adv-heading4325_f17978-4d wp-block-kadence-advancedheading has-theme-palette-3-color has-text-color\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_f17978-4d\"><strong>A Message From Our Founder<\/strong><\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id4325_f2910e-6d > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id4325_f2910e-6d > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id4325_f2910e-6d > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:var( --global-content-width, 1290px );padding-left:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-right:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id4325_f2910e-6d > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id4325_f2910e-6d > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id4325_f2910e-6d > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id4325_f2910e-6d alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top kb-theme-content-width\">\n<style>.kadence-column4325_3c340a-7f > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column4325_3c340a-7f > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column4325_3c340a-7f > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column4325_3c340a-7f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column4325_3c340a-7f > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column4325_3c340a-7f > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column4325_3c340a-7f{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column4325_3c340a-7f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column4325_3c340a-7f > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column4325_3c340a-7f\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_c37ce1-4f, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_c37ce1-4f[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_c37ce1-4f\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_c37ce1-4f mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_c37ce1-4f[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_c37ce1-4f\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_c37ce1-4f img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_c37ce1-4f[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_c37ce1-4f\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading4325_c37ce1-4f wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_c37ce1-4f\"><strong>I believe every voice matters. Not some. Not most. Every voice.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_d0f77f-f0, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_d0f77f-f0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_d0f77f-f0\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_d0f77f-f0 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_d0f77f-f0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_d0f77f-f0\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_d0f77f-f0 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_d0f77f-f0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_d0f77f-f0\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading4325_d0f77f-f0 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_d0f77f-f0\">Every day, kids who stutter shut down. How many silent kids, hiding in the back row of class are actually brilliant \u2014 just pretending not to know the answers because they\u2019re afraid to talk? How many young people are keeping their heads down or not making friends because they are terrified of being laughed at, ridiculed, or bullied for the way they speak?<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_187f78-a0, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_187f78-a0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_187f78-a0\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_187f78-a0 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_187f78-a0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_187f78-a0\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_187f78-a0 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_187f78-a0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_187f78-a0\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading4325_187f78-a0 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_187f78-a0\">For years I lived this way myself. I have stuttered since I was five years old and I wish there had been an organization like SAY when I was a child. It would have saved me years of isolation, shame, and crying myself to sleep at night.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_f970ef-d1, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_f970ef-d1[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_f970ef-d1\"]{font-size:1.25rem;font-style:normal;border-top-left-radius:20px;border-top-right-radius:20px;border-bottom-right-radius:20px;border-bottom-left-radius:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_f970ef-d1[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_f970ef-d1\"]{display:flex;gap:0.25em;align-items:center;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_f970ef-d1[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_f970ef-d1\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon svg{width:1em;height:1em;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_f970ef-d1[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_f970ef-d1\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon{color:var(--global-palette1, #3182CE);font-size:60px;padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_f970ef-d1[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_f970ef-d1\"]:hover .kb-adv-heading-icon{color:var(--global-palette1, #3182CE);}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_f970ef-d1 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_f970ef-d1[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_f970ef-d1\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_f970ef-d1 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_f970ef-d1[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_f970ef-d1\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style><p class=\"kt-adv-heading4325_f970ef-d1 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading kt-adv-heading-has-icon has-theme-palette1-color has-text-color has-theme-palette8-background-color has-background\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_f970ef-d1\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-adv-heading-icon kb-svg-icon-ic_quoteSerifRight kb-adv-heading-icon-side-left\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 8 8\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M0 0v3h2c0 1.11-.89 2-2 2v1c1.65 0 3-1.35 3-3v-3h-3zm5 0v3h2c0 1.11-.89 2-2 2v1c1.65 0 3-1.35 3-3v-3h-3z\" transform=\"translate(0 1)\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"kb-adv-text-inner\"><em>For much of my life, from the moment I woke up until the moment I fell asleep, my number one goal was to hide the fact that I stuttered.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_7d3d90-d8, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_7d3d90-d8[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_7d3d90-d8\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_7d3d90-d8 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_7d3d90-d8[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_7d3d90-d8\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_7d3d90-d8 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_7d3d90-d8[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_7d3d90-d8\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading4325_7d3d90-d8 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_7d3d90-d8\">I developed many tricks and avoidance techniques to help me get through the day. Of course, the best way to not stutter is to not talk. And I did a lot of not talking. I did a lot of watching the world from the sidelines, desperately wanting to throw myself into the game, but allowing fear to win out more times than not.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_e35b43-b8, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_e35b43-b8[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_e35b43-b8\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_e35b43-b8 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_e35b43-b8[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_e35b43-b8\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_e35b43-b8 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_e35b43-b8[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_e35b43-b8\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading4325_e35b43-b8 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_e35b43-b8\">Now that I\u2019m a father, my heart breaks for me as a child. I want to go back, put my hands on that kid\u2019s shoulders and say, \u201cStop living your life being so afraid of what other people think. You are a great kid, let people see the real you. Have some confidence in yourself and take a chance.\u201d I also want to say, \u201cIt gets better. These kids that are teasing you won\u2019t be the center of your life forever. You will find your path. You will live a life filled with meaning. Your stuttering won\u2019t hold you back if you don\u2019t allow it to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_78f8d3-0c, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_78f8d3-0c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_78f8d3-0c\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_78f8d3-0c mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_78f8d3-0c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_78f8d3-0c\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_78f8d3-0c img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_78f8d3-0c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_78f8d3-0c\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading4325_78f8d3-0c wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_78f8d3-0c\">I started SAY to reach out to young people who might otherwise never know the reassurance and relief of connecting with another person who stutters. I started SAY to affirm that every voice matters. I started SAY to help parents know that being an effective communicator is more important than being 100% fluent. I started SAY to make the world listen. I started SAY to inspire even the most quiet amongst us to embrace their voices and dreams.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_bca02d-62, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_bca02d-62[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_bca02d-62\"]{font-size:1.25rem;font-style:normal;border-top-left-radius:20px;border-top-right-radius:20px;border-bottom-right-radius:20px;border-bottom-left-radius:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_bca02d-62[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_bca02d-62\"]{display:flex;gap:0.25em;align-items:center;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_bca02d-62[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_bca02d-62\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon svg{width:1em;height:1em;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_bca02d-62[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_bca02d-62\"] .kb-adv-heading-icon{color:var(--global-palette1, #3182CE);font-size:60px;padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_bca02d-62[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_bca02d-62\"]:hover .kb-adv-heading-icon{color:var(--global-palette1, #3182CE);}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_bca02d-62 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_bca02d-62[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_bca02d-62\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_bca02d-62 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_bca02d-62[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_bca02d-62\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style><p class=\"kt-adv-heading4325_bca02d-62 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading kt-adv-heading-has-icon has-theme-palette1-color has-text-color has-theme-palette8-background-color has-background\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_bca02d-62\"><span class=\"kb-svg-icon-wrap kb-adv-heading-icon kb-svg-icon-ic_quoteSerifRight kb-adv-heading-icon-side-left\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 8 8\"  fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"  aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M0 0v3h2c0 1.11-.89 2-2 2v1c1.65 0 3-1.35 3-3v-3h-3zm5 0v3h2c0 1.11-.89 2-2 2v1c1.65 0 3-1.35 3-3v-3h-3z\" transform=\"translate(0 1)\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"kb-adv-text-inner\"><em>Seeing a child give up on communicating is a tragedy that we at SAY don\u2019t accept. We are here to help a child SAY the things that shouldn\u2019t go unsaid. Our dream is that each and every child will live out of courage instead of fear.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_4932cf-7d, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_4932cf-7d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_4932cf-7d\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_4932cf-7d mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_4932cf-7d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_4932cf-7d\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_4932cf-7d img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_4932cf-7d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_4932cf-7d\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading4325_4932cf-7d wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_4932cf-7d\">At SAY, we create an environment where kids can be kids, take chances, and step just enough outside of their comfort zone to grow, all in an atmosphere of kindness where they know they\u2019ll be supported each step of the way. Our expectations are high. We believe that young people who stutter can do whatever they want.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_0b4ade-b4, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_0b4ade-b4[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_0b4ade-b4\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_0b4ade-b4 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_0b4ade-b4[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_0b4ade-b4\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_0b4ade-b4 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_0b4ade-b4[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_0b4ade-b4\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading4325_0b4ade-b4 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_0b4ade-b4\">If you believe in a child, support them, and give them enough time and encouragement, anything is possible! It doesn\u2019t always happen overnight, but if you are patient and creative enough, miracles will happen. I\u2019ve seen it over and over again. And when those miracles happen, there is no greater feeling in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_1d5562-00, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_1d5562-00[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_1d5562-00\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_1d5562-00 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_1d5562-00[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_1d5562-00\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_1d5562-00 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_1d5562-00[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_1d5562-00\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading4325_1d5562-00 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_1d5562-00\">Thank you for listening and making the world a more compassionate place.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_aefdee-de, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_aefdee-de[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_aefdee-de\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_aefdee-de mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_aefdee-de[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_aefdee-de\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_aefdee-de img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_aefdee-de[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_aefdee-de\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading4325_aefdee-de wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_aefdee-de\">Sincerely,<br><strong>Taro Alexander<\/strong><br>Founder<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id4325_cc8b4a-d9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id4325_cc8b4a-d9 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id4325_cc8b4a-d9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:var( --global-content-width, 1290px );padding-left:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-right:var(--global-content-edge-padding);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id4325_cc8b4a-d9 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id4325_cc8b4a-d9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id4325_cc8b4a-d9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id4325_cc8b4a-d9 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top kb-theme-content-width\">\n<style>.kadence-column4325_b7acda-e6 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column4325_b7acda-e6 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column4325_b7acda-e6 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column4325_b7acda-e6 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column4325_b7acda-e6 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column4325_b7acda-e6 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column4325_b7acda-e6{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column4325_b7acda-e6 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column4325_b7acda-e6 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column4325_b7acda-e6\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kadence-column4325_0a835e-e3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column4325_0a835e-e3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);}.kadence-column4325_0a835e-e3 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column4325_0a835e-e3 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:20px;border-top-right-radius:20px;border-bottom-right-radius:20px;border-bottom-left-radius:20px;}.kadence-column4325_0a835e-e3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column4325_0a835e-e3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column4325_0a835e-e3 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column4325_0a835e-e3{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column4325_0a835e-e3{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column4325_0a835e-e3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column4325_0a835e-e3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{background-color:var(--global-palette8, #F7FAFC);}.kadence-column4325_0a835e-e3 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column4325_0a835e-e3{text-align:center;}.kadence-column4325_0a835e-e3{position:relative;}.kadence-column4325_0a835e-e3, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column4325_0a835e-e3:not(.specificity){margin-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);margin-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column4325_0a835e-e3{align-self:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column4325_0a835e-e3{align-self:auto;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column4325_0a835e-e3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column4325_0a835e-e3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kt-row-column-wrap > .kadence-column4325_0a835e-e3{align-self:center;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column4325_0a835e-e3{align-self:auto;}.kt-inner-column-height-full:not(.kt-has-1-columns) > .wp-block-kadence-column.kadence-column4325_0a835e-e3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}.kadence-column4325_0a835e-e3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column4325_0a835e-e3\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_b0bb0a-54, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_b0bb0a-54[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_b0bb0a-54\"]{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);text-align:center;font-style:normal;font-family:var( --global-body-font-family, inherit );}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_b0bb0a-54 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_b0bb0a-54[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_b0bb0a-54\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_b0bb0a-54 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading4325_b0bb0a-54[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_b0bb0a-54\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading4325_b0bb0a-54 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading4325_b0bb0a-54\">Taro Alexander and other members of our team are available for educational and inspirational speaking engagements at schools, special events, conferences, and more. To arrange a speaking engagement, please <a href=\"https:\/\/say.org\/?page_id=205\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"205\">contact us<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Message From Our Founder I believe every voice matters. Not some. Not most. Every voice. Every day, kids who stutter shut down. How many silent kids, hiding in the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4325","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"taxonomy_info":[],"featured_image_src_large":false,"author_info":{"display_name":"Das User","author_link":"https:\/\/say.org\/?author=2"},"comment_info":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/say.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4325","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/say.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/say.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/say.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/say.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4325"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/say.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4325\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6079,"href":"https:\/\/say.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4325\/revisions\/6079"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/say.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4325"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}