Author Talk
September 29, 2009 12:20 AM

Byron Pitts: More than a Feel-Good Story

By
Jeff Glor
Topics
In The News
(CBS)
This next pick may be a bit of a homer, since we work in the same building, but I'd be fascinated by Byron Pitts's story even if I didn't know him personally. A stutterer until the age of 20 who goes on to use his voice professionally, eventually becoming a correspondent at 60 Minutes? Byron's story is impressive and inspiring. I've enjoyed reading his scripts over the years; I hope you enjoy reading his book, Step Out On Nothing. JG


JG:What inspired you to write this book?

BP: There are millions of men, women and children in our country who cannot read. By some estimates more than 30 million adults cannot read. Many more are functionally illiterate. Add to that, it's estimated 3 million Americans stutter. I know their pain. I know the shame associated with being unable to read and speak clearly. I was a kid who did not learn to read until I was 12. I stuttered until I was 20. I was bullied through elementary school and much of junior high school. Self esteem was certainly a problem that I had. I didn't have many friends because of my stutter. I was embarrassed a lot of times and out of that embarrassment came anger and isolation. In the book I talk about the journey I had to go on as a boy who felt uncomfortable in his own skin, the secrets I kept, my struggle to read and how those childhood challenges have affected me all of my life. I want to encourage people to believe that all things are possible. On the outside, it looks like I've got it made. A career that many people would dream of obtaining. But my challenges have been no different than so many others. And I want people to understand that obstacles can be overcome, that no challenge is insurmountable. I've been so incredibly blessed to have been born in this great country and surrounded by a small group of people (family, a few friends and even a few strangers) who touched my life in powerful ways.

So, my book is meant to encourage people who are struggling mightily with something in their lives. It's also meant to thank and encourage those people (parents, teachers, counselors, coaches, etc) who work every single day to help someone else. I wouldn't be where I am today (and that includes 60 Minutes) without the many people who believed in me before I learned to believe in myself. There may be a few places worth shedding a tear in the book and plenty of places to laugh, but mostly stories that tell people that no matter what their circumstance, life can be better.

JG: What surprised you the most during the writing process?

BP: I was surprised by how much old hurts can still linger. Writing the book stirred up a lot of painful memories, especially times when I was teased for being 'slow' or 'stupid.' But I have always been heartened by remembering that despite our nations many warts, we are a country filled with good, caring and hard working people. I've been fortunate to come across many of them in all kinds of places.

JG: What would you be doing, if you weren't a writer?

Maybe coaching. I love sports, I love the sense of team and I love the optimistic spirit associated with sports: we can win if we work hard enough.

JG: What else are you reading right now?

BP: Malcolm Gladwell's next book, What the Dog Saw. It's not out yet. He's the author of the bestselling books, Outliers and Tipping Point. Also reading Hill Harper's book, The Conversation. He's also written bestsellers, Letters To A Young Sister and Letters To A Young Brother.

JG: What's next for you?

BP:Be the best 60 Minutes correspondent I can be, reach as many people as possible with Step Out On Nothing, and be home in time to take out the trash.




Add a Comment
by ogsendmarged March 4, 2010 2:11 AM EST
This was a quote in response to one of my questions regarding how the Pilgrims came to this country

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Weider-X-Factor-Review&id=3860999
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by Scottwriter November 17, 2009 8:59 PM EST
My name is Scott Rossi and I recently moved to live in Sewell New Jersey. i stuttered for 8 years of my life, and know of the personal shame involved with not being able to communicate clearly and openly. The thing I learned in 2001 I took an inventory of my symptoms at that time as I had experienced more than stuttering including heart palpitations, high blood pressure, panic attacks, depression, and stuttering. I read somewhere about it but can't recall where, but I looked and counted the mercury dental fillings I had in my mouth and noticed I had the sum total of 16 mercury dental fillings. Suddenly it was like a light bulb went off in my head and I had all 16 removed and replaced by my dentist who had put them all in. After I got them all removed, nothing happened. Then I heard that there is detox for mercury poisoning. I then took 1,000 mgs of vitamin C 2-3 times a day for about five months. The thing is, after just three months, my stuttering, and panic attacks stopped, and my high blood pressure and depression subsided. To this day I no longer stutter. I consider it a personal miracle that I was lead to learn of my mercury poisoning, and ever since I have sought to educate others. PLEASE if you have neurological health issues, especially with stuttering, look into how many mercury dental fillings you may have, and have them removed, and do as I did and go through detox. I am not alone, as others have also been affected by their mercury dental fillings. I appreciate your time.

Scott Rossi.
Sewell, New Jersey.
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by sbrown19 November 10, 2009 8:25 AM EST
This is just an awesome story! I am truly inspired. I am a professional speaker who use to stutter, and from time to time, will stutter. I did't let that hold me back from wanting to perfect my oratory skills as a speaker. Trust me, I would have never thought in a million years that I would want to speak professionally, but this is passion and purpose. Byron, I would love to send you a copy of my promotional DVD of a speech I gave at the Maryland Speech-Language Hearing Association Convention. I can be reached at www.seanbrownspeaks.com. Once again, I am truly inspired to know your goals can be reached if you just believe.
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by delgalu October 2, 2009 9:36 AM EDT
I am so inspired by this story. I have a ten year old that has been placed in special classes due to being different. Nowadays, children are expected to be like computers and mini robots and if they don't fit the mold, they are labeled as learning disabled. My son physically resembles Byron Pitts in the photo. He is smart but stutters. I am buying this book for my son to read. I have the faith the size of that mustard seed and I do believe my son will move mountains.
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by sbrown19 November 10, 2009 8:29 AM EST
Delgalu...my name is Sean Brown and I am a professional speaker who stutters. I read your post and would like to reach out to you. For more information and conact information, please visit my web site at www.seanbrownspeaks.com. Thank you
by dima7b October 1, 2009 5:52 PM EDT
I found this a great story! I am a stutterer myself, at 20 years old going onto 21 and I just want to say, "I didn't have many friends because of my stutter" should not be look at as an overall statement. Maybe for his case, but for me, having friends is not a problem (no matter how severe I get at times). Sure the times have changed and yes stuttering cam prevent an individual from doing things that others do, but it's not stuttering itself but rather the feelings associated with (i.e. shame, guilt, embarrassment). Once you get over those feelings, stuttering is...just stuttering :)
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by ROBACA September 29, 2009 4:35 PM EDT
Excellent inspiring story!!!
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by BuddySorrell September 29, 2009 4:16 PM EDT
Byron Pitts is a true American hero to so many segments of the American population, especially to kids who are struggling with stuttering. Pitts' name appears on the list of famous people who stutter on the website of The Stuttering Foundation (stutteringhelp.org). Other names on the list are Bruce Willis, Marilyn Monroe,James Earl Jones and Eric Roberts. The Stuttering Foundation website has a lot of free reources such a streaming vides and downloadable brochures; One brochure is their new "Special Education Law and Stutter" which details how every kid enrolled in school in the U.S., whether public or private, is guaranteed the right under federal law to free speech therapy. This free speech therapy applies to other types of speech problems, too. The U.S. is the role model to the rest of the world in how to help kids who have speech problems!
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