Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, former NBA player and University of Kentucky national champion, is now leading an important mission off the court. A lifelong stutterer, he is working to improve access to speech therapy and expand insurance coverage for those in the stuttering community. Through his nonprofit, Change & Impact, Inc., he is building partnerships, supporting individuals who stutter, and driving meaningful change.
In this interview, Michael shares his personal journey, his advocacy work, and his next steps as he focuses on expanding his efforts in cities like New York and Las Vegas.
You’ve spoken publicly about your lifelong experience with stuttering. What made you decide to take that personal challenge and turn it into a public mission?
I wanted to help others because I realized it’s difficult, and many times rare, to take something that feels like a setback and turn it into something powerful. Once I figured out how to do that for myself, I knew I had to help others. Stuttering isn’t just about how we speak; it’s something we carry every moment of every day. So how could I not think about the people living with this every day, like I do?
Can you share what the early days were like when you first began advocating for expanded insurance coverage and access to speech therapy?
For me, it’s always been about being open and honest with the path I’m on and the goals I’ve set. When you’re trying to do something that hasn’t been done before, you need your people, like your family, friends, and your team. Early on, I didn’t feel like there was a space safe enough for myself and others like me to speak up, so I had to help create that space. Before this Journey, I didn’t even know the difference between a Democrat and a Republican until 2020, when I saw the riots in D.C. That moment pushed me to start advocating to the people in power.
Your nonprofit, Change & Impact, Inc., is doing critical work. What are its main goals, and how have they developed since the organization launched?
When I first started, I thought a lot about access. I honestly don’t know where I’d be if I weren’t a former NBA player. For instance, having a speech therapist, getting a scholarship, those things were a privilege. But not everyone who stutters has that kind of access. That’s why we’re focused on breaking the stigma, educating the public, and giving kids who stutter the opportunity to go to college through our scholarship program. I want to help others (especially kids) as best I can have the access that I had.
You’ve already helped achieve legislative victories in Kentucky and Pennsylvania. What specific changes were made, and how do they impact individuals who stutter?
In both Kentucky and Pennsylvania, we worked hard to pass bills that make it easier for people who stutter (especially children) to get the therapy they need. Before these changes, many insurance companies would deny speech therapy because they didn’t consider it “medically necessary.” That left a lot of families stuck, even though therapy could truly change a child’s life.
So now, with these new laws, a few important things have changed: First, they make it clear that speech therapy for stuttering IS medically necessary. That means insurance companies can’t use that as a reason to deny care anymore. Second, they require that insurance cover both in-person and telehealth visits. So now, even kids in rural areas or families with limited transportation can get help from home. And finally, the laws help shift the mindset, from seeing speech therapy as an optional service to recognizing it as an early intervention that can prevent bigger challenges down the line, like mental health issues or difficulties in school and work.
As you shift your advocacy efforts to New York City and Las Vegas, what challenges or opportunities do you anticipate?
This is an opportunity to educate leaders in healthcare, politics, and education about what they don’t know about stuttering. And while there are kids and adults out there who may never meet me, our work is designed to reach them, too. Our efforts extend across states so that every child who stutters can benefit.
In your work with speech-language pathologists and universities, what have you learned about the current gaps in care and education for people who stutter?
Well, working with speech-language pathologists and universities, one thing I’ve learned is that there are some real gaps in how we support people who stutter, especially when it comes to early care and education. A lot of SLPs don’t get the in-depth training they need on stuttering during school, so by the time they’re in the field, they may not even feel fully confident treating it. That directly impacts the quality of care people receive.
I’ve also learned that families are often left trying to navigate this journey on their own. There’s not always a clear roadmap or enough support to help them understand what’s possible, especially when it’s a single-parent household, which is also a way that I grew up. That’s why my work is focused on creating tools, systems, and awareness that fill those gaps. We want to help schools, healthcare providers, and families all work together, so no one has to just figure it out by themselves.
Many know you for your basketball career. How has your platform as a former NBA player helped amplify your message in the stuttering community?
I know real change doesn’t happen this fast without a platform, so I’m grateful for mine. But I’ve also learned that it’s not just about visibility, it’s about using that platform to truly impact people and reshape the community.
What message do you have for young people who stutter and may be struggling to find confidence in school, sports, or public settings?
Partnership and community are key. In school, I’d tell them: you’re not dumb, and you deserve to be there just as much as anyone else. In sports, you’re more than your athletic talent; you don’t have to hide behind the game because you stutter. And in public: show up, speak up, and do it with confidence. And also, know that you’re not alone!
Stuttering is often misunderstood. What do you wish more people understood about living with a stutter and the importance of access to therapy?
Stuttering is so often misunderstood. That’s why “access” is critical, not just to therapy for kids, but also to support adults. It’s about making sure people feel confident enough to push through the challenges that come with our speech. Without “access,” I can honestly say, I don’t know where I would’ve been.
Looking ahead, what does success look like for you—both in your advocacy work and in shaping long-term systemic change for people who stutter?
Success looks like this: legislation passed in all 50 states, the stigma around stuttering shattered, kids who stutter being sent off to college with full support, and a healthcare system that understands how to truly serve those of us who stutter.
Be’n Original
