How not to talk to people who stutter

by | Oct 12, 2023 | Comics, Podcast

A mess of a comic strip! </p> <p>A comic strip in 7 panels that is more like an infographic.</p> <p>Entitled, How not to talk to people who stutter, the comic begins with a female fox asking a male fox, Hi, what is your name?. The male fox, named Franky Banky, begins to reply but it stuttering. </p> <p>The following six scenarios take place.</p> <p>Scenario A, the girl asks, did you forget your name? Next to this panel is Franky Banky saying to the reader, you wouldn’t believe how many times we are asked this. </p> <p>Scenario B, the girl tells Franky Banky too breathe. Next to this panel is Franky Banky saying to the reader, breathing is automatic. Not something anybody needs to think about doing.</p> <p>Scenario C, the girl tries to guess by asking Francis? Fred? Fizz? Next to this panel is Franky Banky saying to the reader, we know you mean well, however, we just need a little extra time to say what we need to say.</p> <p>Scenario D, the girl says, think about what you want to say. Next to this panel is Franky Banky saying to the reader, we already know what we want to say. Including our name. Re-read item A.</p> <p>Scenario E, the girl says, Name. Your name. Or maybe you’re nervous because of my pretty face? Next to this panel is Franky Banky saying to the reader, stuttering is not caused by low intelligence or low self-esteem.</p> <p>Scenario F, the girl gives Franky Banky a funny look. Next to this panel is Franky Banky saying to the reader, we are not weird. Stuttering is neurological.</p> <p>Near the bottom of the comic is a summary saying Long story short, keep natural eye contact and give us the time we need to say what we want to say. Followed by the it’s how we talk hashtag and the franky banky dot com website address.
Buy this as a poster

Audio description

Courtesy of The Franky Banky Podcast.

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Author’s commentary

This is an updated version of my stuttering awareness ads which I created back in 2014 and to my surprise (and delight) went viral in their own way.

I gave them a redesign as a Franky Banky comic that also doubles as an infographic (infocomic?) debunking six common misconceptions of stuttering. I am also offering this as a poster which you can purchase on the Stuttering is Cool Shop on Etsy. 

October 19, 2023

 

Daniele Rossi's artistic signature
An illustration of the author standing next to a pile of sketchbooks. Franky Banky is sitting on top reading one of the books. Ti-Ger is sneaking around the bottom.