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From: Anita
Date: 10 Oct 2009
Time: 14:16:39 -0500
Remote Name: 217.209.3.225
Hi Ross. Yes, we all have our fears, not only people who stutter (PWS). When I was 17 I didn't want to talk anymore. When I was 18 I didn't want to live anymore. But things changed in my life that made me feel better (job, boyfriend) and suddenly I got angry. Why was I denied the right to speak, by others and by myself? And when the adrenaline level is sky high, you can face any fear. (I kept the level high through doing things I was afraid of, all from speaking to teachers and politicians, to abseilen, nail bed, walking my dog in the dark and other crazy things.) Because when you can face one fear, you regain confidence in yourself to fight the next fear. And I'm still facing fears. Phone, dentist, loud people etc. And I deal with them by challenging myself. I still have some things on my list, like walking on coals, sky diving, facing some family members and every time I conquer a fear, I feel better about myself, a feeling a try to recall when I have a speaking situation I'm not comfortable with. I also do things that make me feel good and proud of myself, things that have nothing to do with stuttering. I also surround myself with PWS, as there I feel good, feel home, and I can be me. For yes, I still stutter. Sometimes hardly, sometimes on every word. But I won't let it stop me from doing what I want to do. And I don't fear my stutter anymore. I just hate it. :-) So please, help kids of all ages to get in touch with other kids, go to conferences and do things that make them happy. To make them realize stuttering is not all that. Thanks for your important question! Anita