Explaining Stuttering to the Media

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I've found that there is a genuine public intererst in stuttering

From: Alan Badmington
Date: 06 Oct 2010
Time: 11:42:08 -0500
Remote Name: 95.144.73.6

Comments

Hi Jim, Thank you for your interesting paper. You wrote:”When a reporter visits a NSA conference, I can collar any member who has been around for a while and shove him or her in front of a TV camera - and I have. They're eager to tell their stories and talk about how they are living successfully with stuttering.” I have experienced your tactics at first hand. :-) When I attended the NSA Conference in Anaheim in 2002, you pointed a news reporter in my direction. But, I must admit that I was a willing horse. :-) I haven’t stopped speaking about stuttering since. In the UK, I undertake an extensive programme of talks to community organisations in an attempt to create a greater public awareness about stuttering. Despite having been on the public speaking circuit for the past 8 years, I am still inundated with invitations to speak. (I fulfilled 14 such engagements last month). There really is an insatiable demand for speakers, together with a hugely active grapevine which ensures that (if audiences enjoy your talk) your name is passed from organisation to organisation. We really can make our story interesting, particularly if we pepper it with humour - which is such a useful tool with which to convey a specific message/point. I feel that the lives of many PWS could be significantly improved if more of us were prepared to speak publicly about the subject. It really is to our mutual advantage. However, I fully appreciate that the very nature of stuttering is such that some may well feel reluctant, or unable, to discuss it with others. Thank you for all that you do to increase awareness. Kindest regards Alan


Last changed: 10/06/10