“Cinema is a reflection of society…the problems but also…solutions.” This quote by actor, Kirti Kulhari, reflects the view I have on a 2010 historical drama film, directed by Tom Hooper and written by David Seidler called The King’s Speech. The story is about King George VI and his difficulties with having a stutter while ruling a nation. This was the first time I experienced a movie where I could relate to the protagonist on a personal level. His struggle and frustration is my story of living with a stutter. It is the story of everyone with a difference that society deems as a disorder. Whenever I speak to share my story, I think of King George’s poignant quote, “Do not let fear chain your voice. Break free and let it soar.” His words evoke self-reliance and inner strength, not just for those with a stutter but for anyone who feels belittled by societal labels and norms. I strive to embrace his ideals by helping others embrace their unique voice rather than hide in silence. It is a difficult choice to talk as a stutterer but as the quote suggests, with speaking comes freedom. The high point of the movie involves King George as he prepares to deliver a 1945 radio broadcast to announce the end of World War II. Through his stutter, he addressed the nation with a positive affirmation of gratitude for those who fought and died for freedom. He showed the world that he was a viable and capable leader during one of the most devastating times in modern history. Those who laughed and snickered when hearing him speak realized his stutter did not diminish his leadership strength. His stutter didn’t matter, what mattered was his conviction and confidence. The King’s Speech inspired me to create a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization called CHATS (Caring for Hawaii Teens with Speech Challenges); providing a safe place where youth with speech differences are met with acceptance, respect, and normalcy. CHATS is the first organization in Hawaii providing resources for middle and high schoolers with communication differences. My organization helps to embolden youth with the power to embrace their speech challenge while teaching the community to listen with compassion and understanding. As founder, president, and lead advocate, this film has inspired me to partner with Mental Health America of Hawaii and the Hawaii Speech-Language-Hearing Association, presenting a message of acceptance and anti-bullying. According to Mental Health America, youth with a stutter, are 61% more likely to be targeted by a bully. These targeted youth have an increased likelihood of depression and suicidal ideations. This was the case for a young stutterer whom I recently met. His non-fluid form of communication was met with ridicule from peers at school. After hearing his story, I welcomed him to our CHATS family where he is accepted with compassion. I have presented to over 5,500 students and medical professionals in my community. I organize events, support groups, and lead teen members who serve as volunteers. Thanks to an article in the Stuttering Foundation Magazine, my message has spread to over 100,000 households nationwide. Now, through my “Bridge of Aloha” project, I am connecting Hawaii-based speech and language resources to underserved youth 10,000 miles away in Kenya. As an aspiring film production student, this movie continues to motivate me to be a storyteller for the voiceless. Yes, cinema reflects society but more importantly it is a reflection on us as individuals; showing that we are not alone in our differences. Seeing our struggles on the big screen initiates dialogue thus creating ways to turn challenges into shared triumphs.

I have had a stutter for as long as I can remember. It often prevented me from speaking and engaging in conversation, for fear of being teased. On occasions when I did talk, I was mocked and made fun of. My self-esteem was low and my mental health was waning. Today’s world is focused on instantaneous response, it is not built for people who need time to get the words out. The world is not built for people like me. The fear of being bullied prevented me from engaging in activities and I felt trapped in my lonely world. I longed to be with peers who understood my fears and worries but found none. My concerns were compounded by the history of mental illness in my family. I have relatives who have had suicidal ideation and have died in mental institutions. I kept asking myself, “Will I be next?” With my mental health on the line, I knew I needed to do more. So, I founded a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, CHATS (Caring for Hawaii Teens with Speech Challenges). Speaking with fellow stutterers and others who had been teased and bullied due to their communication differences, I realized the correlation between the societal treatment of those with speech challenges and the emotional scars it leaves—the ripple of abuse needed to stop. Partnering with Mental Health America of Hawaii and Spill the Tea Café, a local mental health clinic for youth, I spread a message of inclusiveness, anti-bullying, and mental wellness. As the first in my community to tackle the topic concerning the mental health of teens with speech challenges, I partnered with local speech and mental health organizations and spoke within the community. I filmed a video that aired on PBS Hawaii called “A Safe Place for Youth.” It featured CHATS partner, Spill the Tea Café, and highlighted the clinic’s innovative and welcoming approach to individual and group therapy. I was the youngest of four panelists on INSIGHTS PBS Hawaii: Mental Health of Hawaii’s Teens. To stress the importance of mental health, I, alongside CHATS partner Mental Health America of Hawaii, visited neighborhood schools to talk about anti-bullying and acceptance for those with communicational differences and to offer help and resources to those who felt alone. I sat on the 2022 and 2024 Hawaii State Children and Youth Summit panel to stress the importance of state legislature to do more to help our youth. I spoke with over 5,500 students, parents, educators, medical health professionals and have reached thousands of households through television, printed periodicals, and online sources, spreading a message of awareness and inclusivity. Reaching out to the local community, I formed a team that includes mental health advocates, educators, youth coordinators, parents, teens, government officials, and speech and language pathologists. I have made educational videos for schools about speech challenges and mental health. These videos enable teachers to share this information multiple times within multiple grade levels. Speech and language pathologists who support the Hawaii Department of Education are speaking with me to discuss ways to be better stewards for CHATS. Speech therapists and pediatricians are encouraging their young patients to seek out social support through CHATS. In our teen support groups we share and help each other in a safe environment, often welcoming guest speakers who discuss mental health and ways to seek help. Through awareness, we can break the walls of misconception to create a society that views those who are different with normalcy. This will empower youth to raise their voice and teach the community to listen. It all starts with a conversation.

Our values determine our role as a positive force in society. These values, however, are not attained overnight; they result from habitual consistency. I aspire to consistently serve my community through a system of values as I look toward the future. One such value is a commitment to diversity and inclusion. I formed a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization CHATS (Caring for Hawaii Teens with Speech Challenges) to provide a safe place where youth with speech differences are met with acceptance and normalcy. CHATS is the first organization in Hawaii dedicated to providing support and resources for middle and high schoolers with communication challenges. As a teen with a stutter, I serve others who have also been bullied and teased for their communication differences. Though anti-bullying is condoned in today’s society, there are still areas where this message is not being heard; especially in communities where kids are mocked and teased for differences seen and unseen. Living in the most isolated populated landmass in the world, kids like me need a place where we can feel different together. CHATS is that place. A commitment to community engagement and volunteerism is another value I strive to emulate. Partnering with Mental Health America of Hawaii and the Hawaii Speech, Language, and Hearing Association, I presented a message of empathy and anti-bullying to over 5,500 students and medical professionals. According to Mental Health America, youth with speech differences such as a stutter, are 61% more likely to be targeted by a bully. As a result, these targeted youth have an increased likelihood of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideations. This was the case for a young stutterer whom I recently met. His non-fluid form of communication was met with ridicule from peers at school. After hearing his story, I welcomed him to our CHATS family where he is accepted with compassion. Committing to a global perspective, I first spread awareness to neighboring islands. I traveled to Hawaii island where CHATS was honored as the Aloha Pass it On! Charity of the Month. There, I spoke about my advocacy work and met with the president of the Hawaii Speech, Language, and Hearing Association, who has now become a partner. The Stuttering Foundation saw my nationally televised news story and wrote an article about me for their magazine with over 100,000 subscribers nationwide. Extending advocacy work beyond our borders, I established the “Bridge of Aloha” initiative, where I connect Hawaii-based speech and language resources to underserved youth in Kenya. In collaboration with an African-based organization and speech professionals from Hawaii, the seeds have been planted in this ambitious but much-needed project; providing resources and changing the narrative of how these kids are viewed in a culture fixated on myths and superstitions.   This value-focused road map leads to a common goal: the betterment of the world. My journey began with a dream to help others like me, followed by exploring support systems, educational resources, and collaborations, leading me to achieve things I never thought possible. Looking to my future as a college student, I plan on creating a CHATS Club in school. It will serve as a campus hub for connectivity and advocacy. I may stutter through words and phrases, but my message is clear: we have voices to be heard, and we must teach the world to listen.

My passion is to build a community of acceptance; to break the walls of misconception through education while providing support and resources for youth with speech challenges. I have had a stutter for as long as I can remember. Unfortunately, my communication difference was met with bullying and teasing. At age 14, I began looking for a support group for teens like me in my community. To my surprise, there were no such organizations in Hawaii. That propelled me to create a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization called CHATS (Caring for Hawaii Teens with Speech Challenges); providing a safe place where youth with speech differences are met with acceptance, respect, and normalcy. CHATS is the first organization in Hawaii providing support and resources for middle and high schoolers with communication differences. Living in the most isolated populated landmass in the world, kids like me need a place where we can feel different together. CHATS is that place. As founder, president, and lead advocate, I partner with Mental Health America of Hawaii and the Hawaii Speech-Language-Hearing Association, to present a message of acceptance, empathy, and anti-bullying. According to Mental Health America, youth with speech differences are five times more likely to be bullied. Youth with a stutter, are 61% more likely to be targeted by a bully. As a result, these targeted youth have an increased likelihood of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideations. This was the case for a young stutterer whom I recently met. His non-fluid form of communication was met with criticism and ridicule from peers at school. After hearing his story, I welcomed him to our CHATS family where he is accepted and heard with compassion.   I have presented to over 5,500 students, parents, teachers, and medical professionals in my community. I organize monthly events, support group sessions, board meetings, and CHATS fundraisers. I also lead CHATS team members; teens who serve as our event volunteers. Thanks to a soon-to-be published article in the Stuttering Foundation Magazine, my message will spread to over 100,000 households nationwide. Now, through my “Bridge of Aloha” project, I am connecting Hawaii-based speech, language, and hearing resources to underserved youth 10,000 miles away in Kenya.   My journey began with a passion to help others like me, followed by exploring support systems, educational resources, and collaborations, leading me to achieve things I never thought possible. I will continue to utilize my speech challenge as a beacon of strength for others. I may stutter through words and phrases, but my message is clear: we have voices to be heard, and we must teach the world to listen.