Tiger Woods writes letter of support to fellow stutterer

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/may/12/tiger-woods-writes-letter-of-support-to-fellow-stutterer

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A boy who was bullied for stuttering received strong encouragement from someone else who once struggled with his speech – Tiger Woods.

Golf Digest published the letter from Woods on its website on Tuesday.

Here's letter Tiger wrote to bullied boy who stutters. Truly heartfelt. pic.twitter.com/FAM2RuLUZ0 And here's my story: http://t.co/3252IG2odt

“I know what it’s like to be different and to sometimes not fit in,” Woods wrote. “I also stuttered as a child and I would talk to my dog and he would sit there and listen until he fell asleep. I also took a class for two years to help me, and I finally learned to stop.”

The plight of the high school boy, identified only as Dillon, was publicized when his mother reached out to eight-time Solheim Cup player Sophie Gustafson of Sweden, who played her entire career on the LPGA and in Europe with a severe stuttering problem. Dillon had attempted to take his own life due to the bullying but told Golf Digest Woods’s letter had been a huge comfort.

“On Saturday, I got a letter from Tiger,” he wrote. “He told me that he used to stutter too. We are going to frame the letter. We have never seen a golf tournament in person, only on TV. I told my mom that when my leg gets better [Dillon fractured his leg when he attempted to take his own life]. I think that would be a fun thing to do.”