Creating a National Support Organization for Stuttering: the Canadian Experience

[ Contents | Search | Post | Reply | Next | Previous | Up ]


Lots of Challenges

From: Pam Mertz, New York
Date: 12 Oct 2010
Time: 07:47:28 -0500
Remote Name: 163.153.6.70

Comments

Hi! I have been volunteering in the USA fro the stuttering community as well, and I know how time consuming it can be. I help out with Friends (www.friendswhostuttuer.org) by editing and publishing their bi-monthly newsletter. I also try to write once or twice a year for the NSA's quarterly newsletter (www.westutter.org). I don't attend a formal support group at this time, but have co-spearheaded an informalgathering of people who stutter in my area who gather monthly for socializing, chatting, food and drink. We find this immensely supportive and firts the needs of many, as we meet in a resturant, different place, different time each month. I also maintain an active blog on the internet, (which Jaan was so kind to reference in his earlier post) which includes a podcast I started in May. This podcast, called "Women Who Stutter: Our Stories" provided a space for women to share thier story of living successfully with stuttering. So far, guests have included three women from Canada. I have a paper on here about it, and samples of severeal of the podcasts. I would have to guess that providing resources for people who stutter to interact with each other and share the experience is probably the best avenue at this time. Much can be done using the internet and social media. But you are ultimately right - you need a paid, dedicated position to do the majority of the leg work. I would further suggest tapping into universities with speech programs - create a partnership where graduate studets can intern for practical experience and help get some of the work done. You might find a college student willing and able to assist with grant writing, if Karen's husband needs help. College students need valuable work experience and getting a viable, sustainable program off and running could be accomplished with interns at the ready. Hope some of this "thinking out loud" helps. ~ Pam


Last changed: 10/12/10