2024 marked the inaugural Camp Dream. Speak. Live. Poland. As we continue our efforts to share Camp Dream. Speak Live. with people around the world, we want to renew focus on highlighting our international partners who make it all possible! Read the amazing accounts from our Polish partners about the impact of CARE in their country.
What made you want to bring Camp Dream. Speak. Live. to your country?
My motivation to bring Camp Dream. Speak. Live. to Poland stems from my deep, long-standing involvement with the stuttering community and my growing frustration with the limited effectiveness of traditional interventions. Over the years, I have observed a significant gap in approaches that address communication challenges, celebrate individuality, and foster acceptance. This, coupled with an awareness that global trends in supporting people who stutter are moving in a more inclusive, empowering direction, inspired me to seek innovative solutions. My introduction to the program Dr. Byrd and her team developed at the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research was pivotal. Having the privilege of attending their presentations and immersing myself in their approach convinced me that this was not only a promising model but one that aligned perfectly with the change I wanted to see in Poland. I spent three months at the Blank Center working closely with the program creators, learning the nuances of the CARE model and adapting the curriculum to suit the Polish cultural and linguistic context. This experience reinforced my belief that Camp Dream. Speak. Live. is a transformative opportunity for children who stutter, their families, and even the wider Polish community. Bringing this program to Poland is not simply about introducing a new therapy—it is about challenging outdated perspectives, creating a safe and inspiring space for self-expression, and ensuring that children and families discover the value of open, confident communication. This initiative is my way of contributing to a larger, global movement that redefines what it means to support individuals who stutter and empowers them to thrive as they are.
How does CARE translate across cultures?
The universality of the CARE model lies in its deep understanding of fundamental human needs: acceptance, self-expression, resilience, and the ability to navigate challenges. Having participated in the Camp Dream. Speak. Live., in Austin, USA, twice, and having organized one in Poland, I’ve seen how CARE can adapt seamlessly to diverse cultural contexts while staying true to its core principles. What struck me most is how effectively this program addresses universal aspects of the human experience, enabling people to connect meaningfully with their authentic selves and others. I’ve also heard from colleagues implementing CARE in countries as varied as Pakistan, the Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium, and Malta. Despite cultural differences, the model thrives everywhere because it prioritizes humanity over cultural specificity. The CARE resonates across all borders by fostering spontaneous self-expression, teaching strategies to handle difficult situations, and empowering individuals to advocate for themselves. In Poland, where stuttering has long been misunderstood and often pathologized, CARE represents a shift in perspective. It encourages embracing stuttering as a different way of speaking rather than a flaw, helping participants and their families to build resilience, self-confidence, and mutual understanding. CARE doesn’t impose a rigid framework but instead invites adaptation to cultural norms, creating an inclusive, transformative experience that resonates deeply with each individual and community. This human-centered flexibility makes CARE so impactful, no matter the culture.
Can you describe the impacts of CARE in your country?
The introduction of the CARE model to Poland, starting with the implementation of Camp Dream. Speak. Live., at the University of Silesia, has sparked a crucial and overdue conversation about the need for change in how we support individuals who stutter and approach speech therapy more broadly. This first camp, combined with presentations, workshops, and outreach efforts by my team and me—both at conferences and on social media—has already begun challenging traditional perceptions of therapy in Poland. It has highlighted the importance of shifting from a deficit-focused approach to one rooted in strengths, potential, and the resources of individuals and their families. What excites me most is seeing the ripple effect already taking shape. The fact that students from various academic centers across Poland participated in the camp means that these future speech therapists are now bringing the CARE philosophy back to their institutions, helping to plant the seeds of change in different regions. Additionally, the discussions initiated by our work in Silesia are fostering a sense of momentum, with many professionals and educators starting to rethink their approaches to communication disorders. Looking ahead, I hope that the CARE model will continue to expand its reach, influencing not just therapy practices but also schools and preschools. We can broaden the model’s impact beyond therapy rooms and everyday life by equipping educators with the tools to create inclusive, supportive environments. I also see the potential for CARE to extend its influence beyond Poland, fostering collaboration with neighboring countries to promote a shared vision of speech therapy as a holistic, empowering, and person-centered practice.
What effects have you seen on participants participating in Camp Dream. Speak. Live.?
The transformation I witnessed among the participants of Camp Dream. Speak. Live. Poland was beyond anything I could have imagined. By the fifth day of the camp, the children were unrecognizable from the shy and hesitant individuals they were at the start. They became confident, open, and eager to speak—ready to express themselves, take risks, and face new challenges with courage and joy. The same metamorphosis was evident among their parents, particularly those participating in the Parent Club. Parents gained tools to support their children and a deeper understanding and acceptance of stuttering, which created a noticeable shift in their relationships and communication within their families. Our student volunteers, especially those outside our university, were also profoundly impacted. Many shared that this experience completely reframed their perspective on therapy and their approach to working with people who stutter. Watching their growth alongside the participants was incredibly inspiring and solidified my belief in the effectiveness of the CARE model. What has been equally powerful is the lasting impact the camp has had since it ended. We’ve organized three follow-up meetings with the participants, and it’s been heartening to see the children return with stories of newfound confidence and resilience. Parents have shared that their children are taking on challenges they would have previously avoided, demonstrating greater strength and self-belief. These changes have affirmed that the CARE model is not only transformative but also essential for the future of speech therapy in Poland. It’s clear that this is just the beginning, and I am committed to ensuring that this approach continues to grow and impact even more lives.
– Katarzyna Węsierska, the SLT, the CDSL main organizer & coordinator, Fundacja Centrum Logopedyczne & University of Silesia in Katowice
What made you want to bring Camp Dream. Speak. Live. to your country?
For the first time, I participated in the Dream. Speak. Live Camp in the Netherlands. I was deeply impressed as I observed the children taking part in it. Their spontaneity in interacting with peers and adults, as well as the courage they showed when stepping onto the stage to introduce themselves and share what new things they had dared to try and what they enjoyed most, left a lasting impression on me. That’s why I was thrilled to hear that a similar camp would be organized in Poland and that I would have the opportunity to contribute to its preparation and participate in the event.
How does CARE translate across cultures?
In Poland, the idea of accepting stuttering is not yet widely spread. The prevailing view is still that stuttering is a problem that needs to be fought. However, participants of the CAMP Dream.Speak.Live in Katowice had the opportunity to quickly recognize the benefits of an approach that treats stuttering not as a disease, but as a different way of speaking. The key here was shifting the focus towards developing communication skills, strengthening mental resilience, educating, and building a positive self-image.
Can you describe the impacts of CARE in your country?
Participants of CAMP Dream.Speak.Live learn how to talk about stuttering in a way that educates those around them. This approach boosts their self-confidence while also giving them a sense of purpose – combating discrimination. Furthermore, such actions develop empathy in participants and raise awareness of the issues faced by other minorities who may also experience exclusion due to their differences.
What effects have you seen on participants participating in Camp Dream. Speak. Live.?
Participants of the camp, freed from the pressure of speaking fluently, gain more courage to speak – even with a microphone, in front of an audience. Interacting with other people who stutter helps them accept their speech, which significantly reduces stress and tension in social situations. Children and teenagers are more eager to engage in life, learning to collaborate and approach challenges with joy, including those that require strong communication skills.
– Karolina Milewska, Fundacja Centrum Logopedyczne volunteer, The Netherlands / Poland
What made you want to bring Camp Dream. Speak. Live. to your country?
The need to support people who stutter in overcoming communication barriers and building self-confidence in a safe and accepting environment inspired me to support Camp Dream. Speak. Live adaptation and implementation in my country. I believe that the camp creates a space where individuals can form connections with others who share similar experiences, enhancing the sense of community and mutual support. An important aspect of this initiative is also raising social awareness about stuttering, while additionally inspiring participants to dream, develop self-confidence, and believe in their abilities. For people who stutter, who may feel limited by their communication challenges, this program can be a transformative experience, showing that stuttering does not define their potential or worth. I think there is a great need in Poland to create positive communication experiences for people who stutter, which is why I am eager to implement the program in the Polish context.
How does CARE translate across cultures?
The CARE model and its adaptation to different cultures can take various forms, taking into account local social norms, values, and the way stuttering is perceived and addressed within a given culture. For example, in cultures that emphasize community (such as in many Asian or African countries), compassion may be understood as a concern for the well-being of the entire community. Working with individuals who stutter in these cultures might involve creating supportive groups where each participant is accepted, and sharing experiences becomes part of the therapeutic process. On the other hand, in cultures with a stronger focus on individualism (such as in the US or Western European countries), compassion may be expressed more in terms of personal understanding and support. Stuttering therapy programs in these cultures may focus on personal experiences and individual needs, providing a space for the patient to work on their self-confidence. The CARE model can influence how therapists approach individuals who stutter, depending on their cultural context. In each culture, there may be different perceptions of how care is expressed, how individuals who stutter are supported, how they react to stigmatization, and which therapeutic techniques are preferred.
Can you describe the impacts of CARE in your country?
I believe that the CARE model in my country has the potential to: a) support individuals who stutter in overcoming communication barriers, b) Build community and integration, c) Promote social awareness, d) Provide individuals who stutter with tools to cope with difficulties, e) Inspire and foster personal growth, f) Create positive communication experiences.
What effects have you seen on participants participating in Camp Dream. Speak. Live.?
The participants completed the program with high self-confidence and a strong sense of self-worth – they no longer felt fear of public speaking or expressing their opinions. The children learned the CARE model, which helped them better understand their stuttering and made them more sensitive to the facts and myths surrounding it. They also became familiar with the principles of effective communication and applied them in interactions with others. The participants engaged in self-identification – they were able to identify themselves as individuals who stutter. Ultimately, the children educated their parents and the local community about stuttering, speaking openly and without shame about their experiences.
– Natalia Świsłocka, the CDSL therapist; Fundacja Centrum Logopedyczne
What made you want to bring Camp Dream. Speak. Live. to your country?
This program is grounded in solid scientific evidence, which enhances its appeal to professionals. I am convinced of its value. Instead of focusing on eliminating stuttering—an approach that often led to frustration, low self-esteem, and fear—this model emphasizes developing communication skills, improving quality of life, and fostering self-acceptance.
How does CARE translate across cultures?
The CARE model adapts exceptionally well to various cultural contexts. I believe that the CARE model is highly universal, with its core principles and goals being applicable across cultures. The program teaches specific skills such as stress management, confidence building, and effective communication. These skills are valuable in any life situation, regardless of cultural background. The CARE model does not treat stuttering as a disease that needs to be cured but rather as a characteristic that one can live with fully. This approach is both universal and empowering for individuals from diverse cultures.
Can you describe the impacts of CARE in your country?
Through social education, the program helps reduce negative stereotypes associated with stuttering. Programs like Camp Dream. Speak. Live. empower individuals who stutter to feel more accepted and have equal opportunities to participate in social life.
What effects have you seen on participants participating in Camp Dream. Speak. Live.?
Thanks to developed communication and social skills, participants find it easier to establish and maintain relationships. The program helps participants reduce the fear of public speaking and social situations. Participants experience greater life satisfaction. Stuttering stops being the most important thing in their lives; it becomes just one element that does not block them or hinder their ability to develop their passions and participate in school life. All participants emphasized the fact that stuttering is not a disease and they are not ashamed of it.
– Justyna Szczypa, the CDSL therapist & coordinator, Fundacja Centrum Logopedyczne
What made you want to bring Camp Dream. Speak. Live. to your country?
In Poland, for many years, stuttering therapy primarily focused on fluency shaping or speech modification as the main goal. However, this approach has recently been shifting. Increasingly, practitioners are seeking methods that aim not necessarily to change how clients function but rather to enhance their overall quality of life. Camp Dream. Speak. Live. appears to be a perfect response to these evolving needs.
How does CARE translate across cultures?
In Polish culture, empowerment-based approaches are relatively new but are developing rapidly, particularly in the fields of speech therapy, pedagogy, and psychology. The CARE model, therefore, represents an innovative approach in Poland, but it appears to be a much-needed method for supporting individuals experiencing stuttering (and beyond) in our country.
Can you describe the impacts of CARE in your country?
Both children and parents have become more confident and effective in their actions. They have gained valuable knowledge about stuttering and, importantly, have started actively sharing and promoting this understanding within their communities. Additionally, many Polish therapists have shown interest in this approach – not only for stuttering therapy but also for addressing a range of communication disorders. By integrating CARE’s principles into practice, a broader cultural shift is emerging in how speech therapy is perceived and implemented.
What effects have you seen on participants participating in Camp Dream. Speak. Live.?
One of the most significant observable effects is the mental empowerment of participants – children, parents, mentors, and even everyday leaders. They leave the camp stronger, more confident, and equipped with tools to face challenges in communication and life. This newfound resilience and optimism is spreading outward, positively impacting both their personal lives and their wider communities.
– Joanna Szymczakowska, the CDSL therapist & coordinator, Fundacja Centrum Logopedyczne & University of Silesia in Katowice
What made you want to bring Camp Dream. Speak. Live. to your country?
What convinced me to implement Camp Dream.Speak.Live in Poland was the desire to promote evidence-based knowledge regarding stuttering and communication in its broader context. Given the ongoing shift in Poland’s narrative surrounding the diagnosis and therapy of stuttering, Camp has become an ideal initiative that has shown children, parents, therapists, and students what is new, current, and beneficial happening worldwide, and now also in Poland.
How does CARE translate across cultures?
In my view, regardless of location and culture, CARE will remain relevant. It encompasses issues from several scientific disciplines, including speech therapy and psychology, and as such, its assumptions and primary goals address the needs not only of people who stutter but also the environment in which they are raised.
Can you describe the impacts of CARE in your country?
The CARE model is definitely needed in my country. I am convinced that its multifaceted approach to communication, which focuses on mindfulness towards others, the comfort of being heard, and the belief that fluency does not determine the effectiveness of a message, will help promote current knowledge regarding methods of supporting people who stutter. I believe this model can also be applied in other areas of life and science—not only in the context of stuttering and not just within the field of speech therapy.
What effects have you seen on participants participating in Camp Dream. Speak. Live.?
What I noticed, and what the participants of Camp Dream.Speak.Live emphasized, was an increase in self-confidence and the normalization of stuttering. Children who stutter stopped seeing themselves solely through the lens of their stuttering; they recognized it as a trait, a small part of themselves that could become a source of strength. Both children and parents significantly increased their knowledge about stuttering, which made them aware that they could promote understanding of it within their closer and wider environments. What the Camp gave us all (therapists, volunteers, parents, children, and organizers) was mindfulness towards the needs of others.
– Monika Pakura, the SLT, the CDSL the CDSL therapist & coordinator, Fundacja Centrum Logopedyczne & University of Silesia in Katowice
What made you want to bring Camp Dream. Speak. Live. to your country?
Camp Dream. Speak. Live. combines aspects that seem to perfectly address the needs of children and their families. Its inspiration likely stems from its proven effectiveness in other countries and the opportunity to implement the CARE model, which emphasizes fostering open communication, as well as acceptance and understanding of stuttering in various life contexts. Previously, no similar initiatives existed in Poland.
How does CARE translate across cultures?
The CARE model is flexible and universal, allowing it to be adapted to different cultures. Key values such as building resilience, education, self-advocacy, and supporting authentic communication are universal and can be tailored to diverse traditions and needs. In Poland, it was particularly important to incorporate a family-centered approach. The CARE model facilitated the joint involvement of parents and children, which enhances its effectiveness.
Can you describe the impacts of CARE in your country?
The CARE model can have a profound impact on both the societal perception of stuttering and the program participants themselves. Firstly, it boosts children’s confidence, helping them learn that they can speak freely and authentically without fear of judgment. Secondly, it educates parents and the broader community about stuttering, challenging stereotypes and fostering greater acceptance. In the long term, this can lead to reduced stigmatization of stuttering in Poland and the promotion of more open communication.
What effects have you seen on participants participating in Camp Dream. Speak. Live.?
Program participants demonstrate a significant increase in self-confidence and self-acceptance. Children become more open and willing to communicate, regardless of their stuttering, while parents gain tools to better support their children. Improved family relationships are also observed, as the workshops help parents better understand their children’s experiences. Being among others who experience stuttering fosters a sense of community and support.
– Anna Starczewska, University of Silesia SLT student
How does CARE translate across cultures?
The CARE model fits perfectly with every culture. Its core principles—Communication, Advocacy, Resilience, and Education—are universal and valuable regardless of the country in which it is implemented. CARE strengthens and supports the development of all significant areas of daily life for each participant. Moreover, because CARE is implemented in various countries and cultures, it can serve as an additional educational element. During the Polish Camp, participants had the opportunity to “meet” online with children from another country who were also participating at the same time. Such meetings and cultural diversity enable participants to exchange experiences while having fun and learning.
Can you describe the impacts of CARE in your country?
CARE in Poland can contribute to changing the way stuttering is perceived. CDSL participants gained knowledge about stuttering, learned how to talk about it, debunk myths, and break stereotypes. These competencies will enable them to become their own advocates, educate their immediate surroundings, which in turn can pass this knowledge on to others. These efforts will allow an increasingly wider audience to learn about and understand stuttering.
What effects have you seen on participants participating in Camp Dream. Speak. Live.?
The Dream. Speak. Live Camp had a profound impact on the participating children and their parents. The participants gained reliable knowledge about stuttering, which contributed to greater understanding and acceptance. Additionally, the activities offered during the Camp helped both children and parents become more comfortable with stuttering and speak openly about it. Camp participants enhanced their communication skills, learned how to speak in front of an audience, became more self-confident, and discovered how to respond to comments about stuttering. The Dream. Speak. Live Camp helped children and their parents understand that what matters most is communication—what they say, not how they say it.
– Monika Schab, University of Silesia SLT student
How does CARE translate across cultures?
The CARE model teaches children how to effectively utilize communication skills. In some cultures, there are specific gestures or facial expressions that can be incorporated into CARE. This also teaches children that every culture should be approached with respect. Learning about the communication aspects of other cultures can bring together children from different countries. They can learn from one another about the communication elements that are important in their respective cultures.
Can you describe the impacts of CARE in your country?
During the camp, children eagerly shared facts about stuttering with passersby and people they met, as well as within their immediate circles. Armed with their knowledge, they are now capable of educating their environment, helping to change perceptions of stuttering and move away from stereotypes. This same environment can, in turn, share accurate information with others, breaking the cycle of perpetuating myths about stuttering.
What effects have you seen on participants participating in Camp Dream. Speak. Live.?
The children gained knowledge about stuttering, which helped them begin speaking openly about it and becoming more comfortable with it. They changed their reactions to negative comments from peers regarding their stuttering. The children overcame their fear of speaking in front of groups, which made them more willing to interact with other camp participants. They learned how to communicate effectively and started incorporating these skills into their daily lives.
– Wiktoria Janus, University of Silesia SLT student
Can you describe the impacts of CARE in your country?
Thanks to the CARE model, children who stutter can become their own advocates and independently spread knowledge about stuttering, which will increase awareness of stuttering in Poland. The CARE model will also allow for a shift in attitudes towards stuttering in Poland, presenting a new way of thinking and speaking about stuttering – CARE not CURE – which is not yet widespread in Poland.
What effects have you seen on participants participating in Camp Dream. Speak. Live.?
I have noticed an increase in participants’ self-confidence, a greater willingness to speak up and express their opinions. The children have come to believe in the power of their voice and that they have something to share with the world. The camp equipped them with communication and self-advocacy skills, as well as knowledge and resilience, allowing them to move forward into the world with greater self-assurance, belief in their abilities, and full confidence in their potential.
– Sabina Łukaszek, University of Silesia SLT student
