LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Rebecca Richards was nominated anonymously. 

"Throughout elementary school, I struggled with stuttering. I couldn't complete a sentence without getting stuck on certain words or letters. My mom noticed this and signed me up for speech therapy. At first, I was hesitant and felt like a weird kid. However, when Ms. Richards came to get me from my class at Magee Elementary, I was pleasantly surprised. Her room was filled with board games, a dream come true for my five to six-year-old self. On the first day, we just played games, and she took the time to get to know me and my individual needs. From then on, she became my favorite part of the day," said the student.

"We would often start with an information packet or talk about my day. One of the most valuable things she taught me was overcoming my stuttering and becoming more confident when speaking. And I know what you're probably thinking. How does she remember details from elementary school when she was in high school? Was Ms. Richards really that great? And the answer is 'Yes!' She was always so cheerful and always listened if I had some silly elementary school drama I wanted to share. And she was patient. She didn't try to rush me when I got stuck, and she didn't finish the sentence when I couldn't get it out. My stutter has gotten ten times better today, thanks to Ms. Richards. I still often think back to the tips she gave me, which include taking a deep breath and resetting before I talk, thinking about what I'll say before saying it, and if one word doesn't come out, switching it and changing my sentence. These have been helpful when talking in class or reading a passage aloud, especially in presentations. Driving past the elementary school, I often think of her and how much I've improved. Thanks to her, since using her tips, my confidence has gone up when public speaking, and I feel a little more 'normal.' So, thank you, Ms. Richards, for your patience, expertise, and welcoming personality. It means more than you know," said the nominator.