This month’s Spotlight of the Month honors Wyatt McReynolds!
Wyatt is a 21 years old (soon to be 22 in March!) person who stutters who was born in the oldest town in Texas- Nacogdoches, before finally settling in Dallas. Wyatt loves hanging out with friends, chief among them Josh Sniderman, another PWS, who has been his trip and adventure buddy for years. Wyatt’s dream job had always been to be a firefighter like his dad, who works for the Lufkin Fire Department as a Captain for the Rescue Truck. After going through the fire academy in 2013, he graduated last December and said , “That had to have been one of the most difficult things I have ever done in my life, even more difficult because I stutter, but that has not stopped me from persuing my dream to be a firefighter.” His dream was finally answered last August when he was accepted to the Parker Fire Department, showing resilience after being declined the first time. “If you have a dream, you can do it. If goofy Wyatt can get into a Fire Department, anyone can.” He adds “The past 7 months have been fun and I have learned a lot. I currently ride Truck 1 and ride in the back as the nozzle guy or OV (outside vent)”.
Wyatt joined the National Stuttering Association when he was only 15 years old and attended his first conference right here in Fort Worth in 2011. He recalls being so nervous about attending the conference for the first time, but within an hour he was making friends from all over the world. “When I am at the conference, I can speak freely and not be embarrassed about my stuttering. I wanted to join the NSA to meet people who stutter in the United States but I have met many people from all around the world”, he says proudly. Wyatt has attended six conferences since, and he is very excited about having the next one be in his hometown of Dallas. He is also an active member of our Dallas Chapter and frequents our meetings and Chat n’ Chew events with much energy and enthusiasm.
Next time you see Wyatt ask him for a ride-along in his fire truck!
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