Bullyblossom

On his elementary school playground, Thad Cox was bullied because of his stutter. Counseled by an older brother, he challenged his chief tormentor to a boxing match at the Boys' Club, went the distance (three rounds), and gained some confidence.



Growing up in Knoxville, Tennessee, in the 1940s and 50s, Cox did what many children who stutter do-he coped with difficult situations and, little by little, gained confidence. In middle school he met Peggy, whose support helped him to feel more comfortable when talking. In military school and college he discovered strategies that empowered him to be president of his fraternity, command troops, stand up to a new brand of bully. He went on to raise a family, and become a successful banker and businessman.



With children who stutter and their parents in mind, Cox has written his story, interspersed with insights from Tricia Hedinger, a clinical associate professor of speech-language pathology at the University of Tennessee.