‘Survivor’ Host Jeff Probst Commended for Supportive Interaction with Contestant Mitch Guerra, Who Has a Stutter
Viewers of “Survivor” are expressing their admiration for the show’s host, Jeff Probst, for raising awareness about stuttering during an emotional moment in the reality competition’s episode aired on March 5.
While conversing with contestant Mitch Guerra, who stutters, Probst inquired about the best way to respond when someone begins to stutter in a conversation.
“Mitch, I’d like to ask you: when you’re having difficulty, do you prefer someone to assist you, or do you want them to wait until you’re ready to finish?” posed Probst.
Guerra smiled and said, “The hope is that everyone just kind of hangs in there with me and allows me the chance to finish my sentence.”
“But I genuinely appreciate you asking that because, honestly, people usually want to help, yet we often feel too uncomfortable to inquire,” Guerra stated further. “So, thank you for that.”
“Thank you for showing us how to approach it,” Probst replied.
Fans commend Probst and Guerra for their ‘compassionate interaction’
Fans of “Survivor” took to social media to commemorate the meaningful exchange between Probst and Guerra.
“This is definitely among the Top 20 moments in the show’s history for me,” one viewer remarked alongside a clip of the discussion on the official ‘Survivor’ Instagram account.
“‘Just give me the chance to finish my sentence.’ This is such a touching moment,” another added, quoting Guerra.
Many viewers expressed their gratitude for the valuable lesson on how to engage in conversations with those who stutter.
“Just like that, people are now better informed on how to handle such situations,” one observer noted.
Individuals who stutter also expressed their appreciation to Probst for conveying insights about the condition to viewers.
“I share his stutter, so this really resonated with me. Personally, it’s much easier when someone patiently waits through my stutters and remains engaged,” a commenter wrote.
A Reddit community dedicated to stuttering celebrated this moment, with one user describing it as “an ideal, compassionate interaction.”
“Many who are unsure how to respond to stuttering will find this valuable,” they added.
The National Stuttering Association acknowledged Probst and Guerra’s interaction on social media, stating, “This is one of the most significant moments of impactful stuttering education that will reach millions.”
Daniele Venturelli/Arturo Holmes/Steve Granitz / Getty Images
Understanding Stuttering
Stuttering is defined as a speech pattern that involves interruptions, or “disfluencies,” according to the National Stuttering Association’s website.
These disfluencies may manifest as “repetitions (D-d-d-dog), prolongations (Mmmmmmilk), or blocks (a lack of sound),” or a mixture of these elements, the organization explains.
Individuals who stutter may also face physical tension and difficulties in their speech muscles, accompanied by feelings of embarrassment, anxiety, and apprehension regarding speaking.
The intensity of stuttering can differ greatly among individuals.
The Stuttering Foundation of America recognizes public figures like Joe Biden, Emily Blunt, Nicole Kidman, Samuel L. Jackson, James Earl Jones, Bruce Willis, and Marilyn Monroe as notable individuals who have experienced stuttering, among others, as listed on their website.
Causes of Stuttering
While the precise causes of stuttering remain unclear, most researchers concur that it’s linked to variations in brain activity that disrupt speech production, as stated by the National Stuttering Association.
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders notes that there are two primary types of stuttering:
Developmental Stuttering: This is the most prevalent form of stuttering and typically occurs in children as they are acquiring speech and language abilities. A study from 2013 suggests that stuttering is common among preschool-aged children.
Developmental stuttering sometimes runs in families, impacting multiple family members.
Neurogenic Stuttering: This type can develop following a brain injury, such as from a stroke or head trauma.
Although it was once believed that emotional trauma was a key factor in stuttering, medical professionals now understand that its origins are typically not psychological.
