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From: Alan (to Linda)
Date: 17 Oct 2009
Time: 14:49:54 -0500
Remote Name: 84.71.219.74
Hi Linda, Thank you, so much, for reading my paper and providing positive feedback. It was kind of you to write in such a generous vein. As a member of an international telephone support network, I am in regular contact with persons who stutter. I speak with many PWS each day (from different parts of the world) – although I do not receive any financial reward for my involvement. During the past nine years, I have facilitated presentations on three different continents, embracing (inter alia) such topics as ‘expanding comfort zones’, ‘changing the stuttering mindset’, ‘combating avoidance strategies’, ‘communication skills’ and ‘public speaking’. Once again, I have not derived any monetary gain. It may interest you to know that I am actively engaged in public speaking activities, both in relation to stuttering, and other subjects. Since 2001, I have undertaken an extensive programme of talks to community organisations in an attempt to create a greater public awareness about stuttering. My talk (which is of 60 minutes duration and entitled ‘Lost for Words’) recounts my lifetime experiences of stuttering. It includes many anecdotes from my career as a police officer, which was tainted by a catalogue of heartache and lost opportunities. It is advertised as ‘an inspirational story of overcoming adversity, laden with humour and poignancy’. I truly believe that humour can be a highly effective tool with which to convey serious messages. During the talk, I touch upon many of the concepts that I incorporated in my latest ISAD online conference paper. I regularly receive feedback to the effect that (after hearing my story) many members of the audience (who have no connection whatsoever with stuttering) are inspired to face the fears that adversely influence various areas of their lives. Earlier this week, one lady confided that she intends to seek membership of a public speaking club in order to overcome her fear of standing before an adult audience. Ironically, as a school teacher, she does not experience such fears when speaking to children (who are unlikely to judge her). Another person vowed to challenge her fear of driving on major roads, so that she can visit her grandchildren who live hundreds of miles away. Returning to my current paper, several contributors to the threaded discussion have opined that the content is equally applicable to persons who do not stutter. The above incidents illustrate that very point. :-) Linda, I should like to thank you, once again, for your generous comments. I would very much like to continue this dialogue privately and will contact you in the very near future. Kindest regards Alan