His mother , Mamie , always claimed that Emmett 's stuttering began after he became ill , a direct consequence of his bout with polio .
As a child , Emmett contracted polio which left him with a slight limp .
Emmett 's mother , Mamie , always claimed Emmett Emmett 's stuttering began after he became ill , a direct consequence of his bout with polio .
As a child , Emmett contracted polio which left him with a slight limp .