Hello, my name is Phyllis Edwards, and I’m an early childhood teacher who happens to have a stutter. It’s a job I’ve grown to love. I used to worry about reading stories at mat time, but with the support of the children, their families, and my colleagues, along with using props and books, mat time is now one of my favourite activities.
When I saw the invitation to join the ‘30 for START’ fundraising challenge, I knew it was a wonderful way to say thank you to START for their amazing work supporting people who stutter. I loved how inclusive the challenge felt and wanted to contribute in my own way.
For my challenge, I created a resource pack containing two original stories, a set of finger puppets, and a special puppet named Dillis Duck, handmade by my ever-supportive husband. Dillis was inspired by my first stuttering conference in Cardiff, Wales, where I met others in our community following their dreams.
I’ve been delighted to share these packs with some of the people and teams who have inspired me, including Janelle and the START team, who work so hard to support families, reduce waiting times, and make a real difference.
I also want to thank Jaxson, a talented nine-year-old artist who created beautiful illustrations for my stories, and the wonderful Levin Montessori teaching team, who have embraced Dillis Duck and brought her stories to life with their creativity and kindness.
This experience has reminded me how collaboration, kindness, and a little imagination can build confidence – for children and adults alike.