Teen who bonded with Biden over stutter will share his story in new book

Catherine Garcia
·1 min read

Brayden Harrington has found the confidence to speak up — and he hopes to inspire other kids like him who stutter.

Harrington, 13, met President Biden last February during a campaign stop in New Hampshire. Biden grew up with a stutter, and he offered Harrington some advice: "Don't let it define you. You are smart as hell." Harrington and Biden remained in touch, with the teen speaking at the Democratic National Convention and again during Wednesday's "Celebrating America" inaugural special, when he delivered JFK's iconic inaugural line: "Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country."

Harrington will soon share his story in a picture book, Brayden Speaks Up, set to be published on Aug. 10. It won't be his only book — next year, Harrington will release a second title for older kids. In a statement, Harrington said he was "so nervous" during his speech at the Democratic National Convention, but "what got me through and helped motivate me was knowing I could be a voice for other children who stutter as well as anyone else who has faced challenges. I only hope my story provides a little extra support and motivation for those that need it."

More stories from theweek.com
7 brutally funny cartoons about Trump's White House exit
Trump's team fired the White House chief usher right before Biden took office, maybe at Biden's request
Biden removes Trump's Diet Coke button from the Oval Office

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories

  • Oil eases as US demand concerns outweigh fears over Middle East conflicts

    Oil prices eased in early trade on Thursday as concerns about a potential slowdown in the U.S. economy amid prospects for delayed interest rate cuts outweighed worries over the risk of expanding conflict in the Middle East. "Tensions between Iran and Israel have eased, but Israeli attacks on Gaza are expected to worsen, and the risk of conflicts spreading to neighbouring countries is underpinning oil prices," said Toshitaka Tazawa, an analyst at Fujitomi Securities Co Ltd.

  • Indigenous group detains 12 alleged gold miners in Amazon and hands them over to Brazilian police

    An Indigenous group in Brazil said Wednesday its members detained 12 people for allegedly mining illegally in the Amazon and handed them over to police. The non-profit Urihi Associação Yanomami said in a statement that the incident took place Tuesday in the northern state of Roraima, which borders Venezuela. Brazil's Indigenous Peoples Ministry confirmed that a dozen alleged miners, including 10 men and two women, were in police custody.

  • Markets wary of intervention as yen struggles at 155 level

    The yen was pinned on the weaker side of 155 per dollar on Thursday as the Bank of Japan (BOJ) kicks off its two-day rate-setting meeting, leaving traders nervous as to whether Tokyo will intervene while policy deliberations are still underway. Having traded in a tight range over the past few days, a buoyant dollar finally broke above the 155 yen level for the first time since 1990 in the previous session, and was last steady at 155.34 yen in early Asia trade. Intense speculation of intervention from Japanese authorities to shore up the yen had hampered the dollar's ascent towards the psychologically key level, seen by some market participants as a line in the sand that would prompt Tokyo to take action.

  • Sparring continuing among members of Renfrew council

    Renfrew’s Reeve calls for removal of councilor from committee, group and board assignments By R. Bruce McIntyre Local Initiatives Reporter Renfrew – Reeve Peter Emon, who along with Mayor Tom Sidney was removed from all committee, group and board assignments after Renfrew council passed a motion in March calling for these sanctions, tabled his own Notice of Motion at last night’s meeting (April 23) calling for the removal of Councillor John McDonald from all committees, groups and board appointm

  • Orioles vs. Angels Highlights

    Gunnar Henderson and the Orioles take on Mike Trout and the Angels on Arpil 24th, 2024

  • Owner of cat killed in Longmont disappointed after no arrests were made

    After a six-month investigation, Longmont PD and the 20th Judicial District Attorney’s Office determined there was not enough evidence to file charges. The owner is still seeking justice

  • FOREX-Markets wary of intervention as yen struggles at 155 level

    The yen was pinned on the weaker side of 155 per dollar on Thursday as the Bank of Japan (BOJ) kicks off its two-day rate-setting meeting, leaving traders nervous as to whether Tokyo will intervene while policy deliberations are still underway. Having traded in a tight range over the past few days, a buoyant dollar finally broke above the 155 yen level for the first time since 1990 in the previous session, and was last steady at 155.34 yen in early Asia trade. Intense speculation of intervention from Japanese authorities to shore up the yen had hampered the dollar's ascent towards the psychologically key level, seen by some market participants as a line in the sand that would prompt Tokyo to take action.

  • Town hall renos two years late with a $2 million price tag

    Renfrew – Renfrew’s CAO was again the bearer of bad news when he presented a report to council on the history on the five-year renovation of Renfrew Town Hall. Similar to the Ma-te-Way recreation centre expansion project, this project was also filled with several problems resulting in a two-year delay and a ten-fold increase in the original budget from $200,000 to $2 million. During the April 9 regular council meeting, Robert Tremblay’s report, Town Hall Renovation Project Close-Out Report, high

  • The 1975 star Matty Healy responds to Taylor Swift album

    Swift’s album became Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single week surpassing one billion streams.

  • Cleveland Browns take over gym class at Elmwood Elementary School

    As a part of the Cleveland Browns' Gym Class Takeovers, the team attended Elmwood Elementary School's gym class and gave students a fun-filled day of instruction focused on football.

  • Trump to campaign in Michigan next week amid NYC hush money criminal trial

    While waiting for the Supreme Court to rule on presidential immunity, Trump will return to the campaign trail in Saginaw on May 1.

  • California launches online tool to help fuel small businesses

    The state launched the California Small Business Loan Match on Wednesday. The free tool connects small business owners with trusted lenders.

  • Amanda Seales reflects on relationship with 'Insecure' co-star Issa Rae, talks rumored feud

    Amanda Seales opened up about her rumored feud with "Insecure" co-star Issa Rae in an interview on the "Club Shay Shay" podcast Wednesday.

  • Families of Ethiopia 737 Max crash victims urge US to prosecute Boeing

    Government officials in Washington met with about a dozen family members of people killed when a Boeing 737 Max crashed in Ethiopia in 2019. The families want the Justice Department to revive a criminal charge against the company.

  • Matty Healy speaks out after apparently being sung about by Taylor Swift on new album

    Taylor Swift’s British former lover has become the first of her ex-boyfriends to speak out after apparently being referenced on her latest album.

  • Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows and more than a dozen Trump allies indicted in Arizona for fake elector plot

    Indictment comes as Supreme Court set to consider whether Trump immune from federal 2020 election conspiracy case

  • Pickup truck hits and kills longtime Texas deputy helping at crash site

    Harris County Deputy Investigator John H. Coddou, 50, was hit by a truck while he responded to a minor crash site.

  • INSIGHT-How US allies are preparing for a possible second Trump term

    Japan is lining up its own Trump whisperer. Mexican government officials are talking to Camp Trump. Everywhere, U.S. allies are taking steps to defend or advance their interests in the event former President Donald Trump returns to power in November elections, an even chance based on recent opinion polls in swing states.

  • Are Investors Undervaluing Regis Healthcare Limited (ASX:REG) By 34%?

    Key Insights The projected fair value for Regis Healthcare is AU$6.08 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Regis...

  • Figs Are The Cocktail Ingredient You Didn't Know You Needed

    Everyone knows that fruit and alcohol pair well together, but some fruits are more popular than others. Try a fig cocktail for a special burst of fruity flavor.