Waterford man receives letter from former US President Joe Biden in support of work
The Waterford man received the letter from Biden in support of National Stuttering Awareness Week
A Waterford man who has dedicated 26 years to supporting people who stutter has received a letter from former US President Joe Biden in support of his work.
Michael O’Shea, co-founder of Stuttering Awareness Mental Wellbeing Ireland, received the letter in which Biden shared his own personal experiences of growing up with a stutter.
The letter was received during ‘second National Stuttering Awareness Week, which took place from October 19 to 22.
Former President Biden has spoken openly on many occasions about the challenges he faced with stuttering throughout his childhood.
Michael has spent the past 26 years volunteering within Ireland's stuttering community, supporting more than 40,000 people who stutter through his advocacy, awareness and support work.
Stuttering Awareness Mental Wellbeing Ireland has said that the letter is a significant recognition of the importance of raising awareness and promoting greater understanding of stuttering.
Ireland's second National Stuttering Awareness Week aims to challenge misconceptions, reduce stigma and ensure that people who stutter are given the respect, patience and opportunity to have their voices heard.
Michael O'Shea and SAMW Ireland hope the support from former President Biden will help bring national attention to stuttering awareness and encourage greater understanding throughout Irish society.