How uplifting it was to read the article “Penguins forward Bryan Rust stands up for those who stutter” (Feb. 3, TribLive). I agree with speech-language pathologist Allison Ladavat of the speech clinic at Duquesne University in that I never had any heroes to look up to in my stuttering youth. FRIENDS is an excellent organization, and I applaud Rust for his involvement with FRIENDS and taking the time to meet with youngsters who stutter. Kudos!
There is a biographical article on Rust’s career and his struggles with stuttering titled “The Stanley Cup and Stuttering” on the website of the Stuttering Foundation (www.StutteringHelp.com). The site also has articles on retired hockey stars Dave Taylor of the Los Angeles Kings and Gord Lane of the New York Islanders.
As a Penguins fan, I hope Rust’s career lasts many more years. As a person who stutters, I hope it lasts longer so that he can continue to be active with FRIENDS and help shape the lives of more young people who stutter.
Michael Crisci
Astoria, N.Y.