Joe Biden’s inspiring letter to a kid with a stutter made all the difference
Prepare your feelings, people. Back in 1994, when Joe Biden was a senator, he spoke to an eighth-grade class that was on a field trip to the nation’s capital. In that class was Branden “Skip” Brooks, who took to Twitter to share a beautifully touching story about what happened on that fateful day.
According to Skip, during a Q&A, Vice President Biden noticed that Skip stuttered during his question. “Afterwards. . . Biden pulled me aside saying that he used to stutter as a kid and that he never let it interfere with his life goals,” Skip wrote on Twitter. “[He] added that he would purposely seek public speaking opportunities (such as acting in plays) to force himself to speak in public. Biden said that I have something important to say and others will wait to hear it. This moment changed everything for me.”
But that’s not the end of the story. “I got this letter a week later,” Skip tweeted, along with a picture of the letter. “It still inspires me.”
“It was a pleasure meeting you yesterday,” VP Biden wrote in the letter. “You are a fine bright young man with a great future ahead of you if you continue to work hard. Remember what I told you about stuttering. You can beat it just like I did. When you do, you will be a stronger man for having won.”
Biden also included a very valuable life lesson: “Also remember, every time you are tempted to make fun of someone with a problem, how it feels when you are made fun of. Treat everyone with respect and you will be respected yourself. Your friend, Joe Biden.” OH, OUR HEARTS.
Oh, and if that’s not enough, Biden just responded to his tweets. “And it’s still true today, my friend,” the vice president tweeted. “Treat everyone with respect and you will be respected yourself.”
Skip responded by tweeting, “Took your advice to heart and years later Beau swore me in as a prosecutor.” He also included a 2008 picture of himself and Biden’s late son, Beau.
Seriously, sweetest story ever. Thanks, Mr. Vice President, for being so unbelievably kind — and to Skip for sharing your inspirational story.
(Images via Twitter)