Brayden Harrington, a boy with a stutter, gave a gripping convention speech.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

In a Democratic convention that was relatively short on surprises, a big one that packed an emotional wallop came from a young man who is still years away from being old enough to vote.

"Hi, my name is Brayden Harrington, and I’m 13 years old,” he began somewhat haltingly, “and without Joe Biden I wouldn’t be talking to you today. About a few months ago, I met him in New Hampshire. He told me that we were members of the same club.”

“We ——” a nation held its breath for nearly six seconds as Brayden struggled to get the word out “—— stutter.”

Mr. Biden had a debilitating stutter as a child, and he has befriended young people he has met through the years who stutter as well.

Brayden’s two-minute speech was a remarkable display of vulnerability and courage, and it reminded viewers who may have winced at Mr. Biden’s uneven performances that there can be more important qualities in a public speaker than clear and controlled cadences.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/brayden-harrington-a-boy-with-a-stutter-gave-a-gripping-convention-speech/ar-BB18eo8F?li=BBnb7Kz

[Docreed2003]

1. I thought this was one of the most touching and moving parts of the night

As someone who stuttered in childhood, I was deeply touched by Brayden's story, his genuine affection for Joe, and how brave the young man was and how well he did last night.

[Grammy23]

2. The one moment last night when I cried for the bravery of this young man.

He began speaking and very shortly I realized where his speech was going and I sharply drew in my breath, as tears sprang to my eyes. I felt a surge of emotion and pride for him as he courageously carried on even as he strained to get out his words. It was a beautiful testimony to the human spirit and what one person can do with the right encouragement and support!

[Bayard]

3. As opposed to the malicious Covington kid

Who is supposed to speak for the rethuglican convention.

[Gothmog]

4. I have met Joe in person and we discussed suttering

I stuttered through 4th grade. It still affected me during debate days at the college level. My college debate coach had me see a speech therapist for a while. I did not have a stutter then but college debate involved speaking at a very fast pace to get as much in as possible and I was great at taking arguments apart but I could not speak as fast as needed to be a top flight college debater. I eventually dropped debate and raised my GPA from a 3.6 to GPA of 3.8+ and graduated with honors. I ended up not being a litigator in part because I was really good at corporate law and accounting and in part because I was only a decent speaker. I give speeches from time to time at events and testified before the Texas house and senate on redistricting but I do not use prepares speeches.

During pre-school, we were told that my son was mentally retarded by a lady who was a good friend of one of my law partners (this lady ran the Jewish pre-school and was well respected in the community). My son like me had a language processing issue. My son did not stutter but he was quiet and did not speak much early on. My son had a great deal of unreimbursed speech development therapy and now we can not keep him quiet. My son ended going to the top academic private school in Houston, being on the Nerd Squad (academic challenge), becoming an eagle scout with only 55 merit badges, getting a great scholarship, graduating Phi Beta Kappa and getting into a top 15 law school. Now he is up for partner as a major law firm.

I met Joe twice at fundraisers and got to talk to Joe about stuttering. He gave me a hug and told me about th 20+ kids who he is contact with. I believe in Joe

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[hamsterjill]

5. It was the moment we were all a collective.

We were all inspired. We were all pulling for this young man to get through his speech, and we were all very proud.