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From: Alan Badmington
Date: 06 Oct 2010
Time: 16:19:34 -0500
Remote Name: 95.144.73.6
Hi Lynne, Thank you for your interesting paper. As a fellow member of Stutt-L for many years, you will have noted that I regularly shared experiences about happenings that occurred in my life in relation to stuttering. I genuinely believe that my progress during recent times has been helped considerably by the fact that I have been able to tell myself (and others) about the positive experiences that I have enjoyed. Contrary to what some people may believe (and it’s their prerogative to think whatever they choose), I didn’t do it for any egotistical reason. It’s simply that re-living the successful episodes strengthened my memories of those events. (I didn't feel too guilty because I knew that the delete button was always readily available to those who did not wish to read my posts). :-) Since early childhood, my stuttering was fuelled and perpetuated by the pain, heartache and lost opportunities that I encountered. For over half a century I constantly reminded myself of what I could NOT do, or the dire consequences of attempting to speak in certain situations. I spent a lifetime accumulating, recounting and giving far too much prominence to the memories of negative speaking experiences. As a result, my stutter flourished and thrived. The more I nourished and sustained it – the more it took hold. I make no excuse for having reversed that trait. The worm has turned and I now constantly remind myself of the successes I enjoy. :-) I truly believe that you should never shirk from telling yourself how much you have achieved. I recently read an interesting article that appears to justify the practice that I have adopted. Research indicates that when we savour and foster positive experiences, it intensifies our positive responses to them. The longer something is held in our awareness, the more emotionally stimulating it becomes. When we focus on positive happenings, it apparently increases our positive emotions, which correspondingly generate health benefits in relation to our immune system and stress. Other long-term advantages of positive emotions are that they lift your mood and increase optimism, resilience and resourcefulness. It seems that they also counteract the effects of painful experiences, including trauma. So, you see, it appears that I was right all along. :-) Another spin-off (of speaking about our successes) is that it can encourage others to emulate the challenges that we have fulfilled. Hearing a PWS speak about his successful public speaking (in early 2000) had an enormous impact upon me. For the first time in my life, I believed that I could do something about my stutter. The rest is history, as they say. :-) I hope that you and your family are well. Kindest regards Alan