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From: Alan Badmington (to Danielle)
Date: 15 Oct 2007
Time: 04:08:52 -0500
Remote Name: 195.194.75.225
Hi Danielle, Thank you for reading my articles and contributing to the discussion. We simply have to face our fears, otherwise they will continue to hold us hostage. Each time we succumb to them, we increase their influence over us. You mention that, like me, you once used avoidance strategies. Although I NOW understand that my avoidances fuelled my stutter, for so many years, I was totally unaware of the implications. I used avoidance as a crutch to help me deal with the difficulties that I was experiencing at that particular time in my life - I simply did not know any other way to cope. When I gained a better insight into stuttering (and acquired new techniques/tools to overcome speech blocks and 'difficult' words'), I was able to discard my 'crutch' and walk unaided. Your classroom experiences mirror my own. I never asked, nor responded to, questions for fear of looking a fool. I knew the answers, and wanted to contribute to the discussions, but (like you, and so many others who stutter), I remained silent. It was SOOOOOOOOOOOOO frustrating - I felt that I was being cheated. (Incidentally, that was NOT a stutter) ;-) You asked, "How long did it take you to realize that you needed to face your fears in order to overcome them?" Even at an early age, I realized that I could take a relatively easy passage through life by avoiding social interaction, and securing employment that did not require a great deal of speaking. But that was not the path that I wished to tread. I knew that I had to face my fears head-on. I'm sorry, but I don't have time (on this forum) to give a detailed account of the steps that I took. If you are interested, please check out the following articles: 'Stuttering is not just a speech problem': http://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/kuster/Infostuttering/badmington.pdf ‘How I changed my stuttering mindset’ : http://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/isad8/papers/badmington8.html Danielle, I really must close at this point as there are many other posts that require my attention. Congratulations on overcoming your personal fears. Kindest regards Alan