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From: Steven Kaufman
Date: 13 Oct 2009
Time: 22:11:37 -0500
Remote Name: 68.194.171.62
Hi Toni! Thank you for reading my paper. Throughout my life I have been searching for a place where I can belong and I don't have to hide my stuttering. There were many days in high school and college that I wish I found out about the NSA sooner, but there were probably two main moments that led to my epiphany (and I love the use of the word!) The first was when I checked into the Westin Long Beach and I distinctly remember saying "I'm h-h-h-here for the m-m-m-conference," and I was hearing the same exact phrase or something similar from other teammates. What a sensation it was to find myself in that type of environment, with other teammates who face the same challenges that I do. However, I want to clarify that when I say "teammates," this includes everyone-such as SLPs and family members who support those who stutter! The second moment was when I gave my inaugural seminar at the NSA 2008 conference in Parsippany, N.J., because in many ways that was a quantum leap forward to becoming the type of teammate I want to be. This conference is so essential to SLP students and those who want to stand up and be counted. Check us out at http://www.westutter.org and follow the links to the conference!