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From: Pam Mertz
Date: 08 Oct 2010
Time: 17:49:15 -0500
Remote Name: 67.248.218.106
I loved this piece, especially to be able to pick up a few more books on stuttering that I, as an adult who stutters, can read. I would think that these tools could also be useful for an adult who stutters who comes to therapy for the first time as an adult.I have stuttered since age 5 and had no therapy until about 4 years ago. I was big-time covert. Since "coming out" I have had a huge appetite for books and media that portray stuttering in a meaningful fashion. They have helped me immensely. I have read "Tending To Grace" and saw myself in Cornelia. Another great book with a realistic stuttering character is "Christopher's Wish" (cannot recall author). Adults who have not addressed feelings of shame and guilt,nor tried any management techniques, could hugely benefit from seeing literature portraying stuttering in something better than the usual comedic manner often seen in movies. I see a previous question was about any TV shows that had a regular character who stuttered. There was a series on years ago called, "Here Comes The Brides" and a central character, Jeremy, stuttered. It was handled well, and stuttering was often a story line. One episode, where Jeremy finally gets up the nerve to tell a pretty girl he likes that he stutters is priceless. He discloses this to her, and she says something like, "so what, I bite my nails". It was so normalizing, especially given that this show ran in the early 70's I think. . . . . Anyway, great contribution. I work in a school as a career counselor, and often use my stuttering as an example to deter teasing and bullying. I have read books like "Stuttering Stan Takes A Stand" and "Henry the Stuttering Hero" to groups of students to teach tolerance and respect. Thanks for sharing this! ~Pam