Speechagain Interview with Harrison Craig
Speechagain is thrilled to partner with the talented and inspiring Harrison Craig, who collaborated with us to create our first-ever commercial! It was a wonderful experience that allowed us to expand our product with the help of a prominent advocate in the stuttering community. Check out the final commercial here, and keep reading to learn about Harrison and all the wonderful ways he is positively impacting the stuttering community!
Harrison Craig originally made his mark as The Voice Australia Winner and since that time has achieved two #1 ARIA Albums (one of which went platinum). He also completed a memorable and successful 54 show tour circuit of his ‘Kings of Vegas’ project, international performances in Canada, Indonesia, and the USA, and has had the unique experience of working with the likes of Seal, David Foster, Baz Luhrmann, Diane Warren, Barry Gibb (The Bee Gees) and Olivia Newton-John. Having grown up with a stutter, Harrison’s passion for inspiring others doesn’t stop. In addition to his singing career, he has also just written and released his first children’s book titled ‘Harrison’s Song’ (which is in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library collection). He continues to tour Australia and other parts of the world to speak to students, teachers, and parents alike about chasing your dreams, explaining that no matter what your obstacle is, you can overcome that and Live. Your. Dream.
We were fortunate enough to sit and chat with Harrison regarding his journey as a musician, author, and PWS. His answers inspired us and we know they’ll inspire you too!
Q: How do you feel about your stutter?
A: “My stutter is part of who I am. It has been a challenge but also a motivator to overcome and to do what I can to communicate and connect with people – particularly through song. Above all else, though it has taught me that no matter what the hurdle or challenge is, you can overcome it. Before I went on to win The Voice, people told me I shouldn’t go on it – but I wasn’t about to let the way I speak dictate whether or not I should follow my passions.”
Q: How did you discover your passion for singing?
A: “From a very young age, singing was my escape, a place I could express myself without fears of stumbling through my words.”
Q: How has stuttering influenced your singing?
A: “Having a stutter is like having an invisible wall between me and the world. Experiences like winning the Voice Australia showed me that through singing I could break down that wall and connect with the world.”
Q: What’s it like telling your story through your children’s book “Harrison’s song?”
A: “It is so powerful to read and explain my own story of growing up with a stutter to children around the world. It is something I like to share and encourage children to understand that no matter their hurdle or challenge, you can still live your dream!”
Q: What has your experience been with speech therapy in the past?
A: “Very positive – although the downside is you always need to be with the speech therapist to receive feedback and continue remodeling your speech patterns.”
Q: Why an online stuttering therapy?
A: “The world is online today – and therapy is modernizing as well. Speechagain offers a unique and friendly way to practice and remodel your speech so you can feel confident speaking to others on a daily basis. It is the kind of tool I wish existed when I was a young child!”
Q: What would you say to people using Speechagain for the first time?
A: “Trust in the fact that you can master your speech. Proven methods for slowing and controlling your speech really do work – you must be prepared to work hard and drive yourself to reach your goal of smooth speech. Only you have the power to make smooth speech a part of your everyday…”
We are so grateful to be working with Harrison and his team to continue raising awareness for stuttering and empowering others! All that’s left to do is sit back and watch, as Harrison takes the world by storm with his music, storytelling, and inspiring advocacy for all people who stutter!
An Interview with Kitch, East London RapperThe stuttering community is full of wonderfully unique individuals, all with their own story and relationship to their stutter. We were lucky enough to speak with Kitch, a rapper from East London to learn about how both his music and his stutter have impacted the person he is today.
Finding Music:
As a longtime music lover, Kitch recalled how he used to constantly rap along to his favorite songs growing up. Although he was incredibly passionate, he notes this time as a “false dream”, feeling that his stutter would stop him from pursuing music seriously. When a tough time in his life led to his removal from school, Kitch turned to music as his savior. He spent countless hours writing, practicing and recording rhymes, with the thought that no one would ever hear them. Little did he know that this would become a major turning point in his journey as a musician and a person who stutters. As he practiced, he noticed a decrease in the frequency of his stutter. “If it was memorized and on the beat, I would use the rhythm to help me through it”. His innovative technique improved his fluency as well as his confidence.
Becoming an Advocate:
Kitch’s relationship with his stutter developed drastically. What was once a shy young boy who hesitated to answer questions in the classroom was now a prominent advocate in the stuttering community. Kitch used his platform to inspire others to conquer their insecurities, whatever they may be. He spent time traveling to schools, speaking at assemblies, and giving workshops. He describes this experience as a huge shock because public speaking was once a trigger for his anxiety. He realized that he could make a difference for children regardless of whether they had a speech impediment. “Even students who don’t have a stammer but might have something else that’s holding them back have been able to use me as an “underdog”. It’s not only about the stammer, it’s more than that. It’s about the drive, and the motivation, and I feel as if it really has made a difference.”
We were inspired by Kitch’s words and we’re sure you are too. Music became a therapeutic form of self-expression that helped him conquer his fears and achieve his goals. He emphasized the importance of dedication and hard work as he knows firsthand how difficult it can be. In addition to his interview, Kitch will also be a speaker at our next roundtable event on August 27th from 6-7:30 EST. We feel honored to hear his story and hope to continue working together to raise awareness for the stuttering community.
Make sure to check out some of his music to see how Kitch is leaving his mark on the world!