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From: From Alan B (to Claire)
Date: 17 Oct 2010
Time: 16:31:51 -0500
Remote Name: 95.144.68.172
Hi Claire, I am most grateful to you reading my paper and providing such generous feedback. I genuinely believe that such interaction is to our mutual benefit. You posed the question “During your travels in the United States, have the attitudes toward stuttering you’ve encountered been different to those you experienced in the UK?” In 2000, I spent nearly six weeks perambulating extensively in Northern California and Nevada, knocking on the doors of television studios, radio stations and newspaper offices to talk about stuttering. It really was an incredible experience. During that visit (and numerous subsequent trips to the US), I have engaged in conversation with complete strangers in restaurants; in the street; in motels/hotels; in casinos; in shops; in laundrettes; at airports – indeed, anywhere where an opportunity presented itself.:-) I’ve also undertaken public speaking (about stuttering) in Central Park, New York; near to the White House in Washington DC; and on the famous ‘Strip’ in Las Vegas. I’ve encountered some quite amazing reactions. Everyone has been so courteous and many people knew someone who stuttered. As a result of these (and other) activities, I have become desensitised. In addition, my perceptions and beliefs about what others think in relation to my speech have become so positive. Having fulfilled similar ventures in the UK, I do not recall having noticed any difference in the respective public attitudes towards stuttering. However, I feel that the British media tend to give greater publicity towards the subject. During recent years, stuttering has been featured in various television/radio documentaries/programmes and newspaper/magazine articles. I feel that this is due to the excellent work of the British Stammering Association in bringing the subject to the fore, as well as the existence of a pop star who openly speaks about his stuttering. You may wish to note that the UK’s Equality Act 2010 (and the previous Disability Discrimination Act 1995) applies to persons who stutter. I wish you every success with your studies and in your future role as a speech-language pathologist. Kindest regards Alan