[ Contents | Search | Post | Reply | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: Alan (to Sachin)
Date: 03 Oct 2011
Time: 15:48:33 -0500
Remote Name: 95.144.68.2
Hi Sachin, Thank you for your generous comments. I very much appreciate you taking the time to read my paper and provide feedback. Firstly, let me say that I have never used the term “cured” to describe the favourable position in which I now find myself. If someone enquires, I reply to the effect that stuttering is no longer an issue in my life. Having eliminated my negative thoughts about the physical act of stuttering, and my personal attachment to such behaviour, I no longer find it necessary to focus upon my speech, or make any conscious effort not to stutter. Today, I enter every speaking situation totally devoid of the debilitating anticipatory fear that blighted my life for so many years. I no longer think about the possibility of stuttering; scan ahead for the multitude of words that once held an emotional charge; nor entertain any consideration that I might encounter difficulties. Having totally eliminated avoidance strategies (by adopting a proactive zero-tolerance approach in 2000), I now pluck whatever words I wish from the extremities of my expansive vocabulary (swelled by a lifetime of word substitution) and simply say them aloud. It is so liberating because my past oral exchanges were littered with words that I considered to be inferior or, in some cases, totally inappropriate. I succumbed to mediocrity simply because I did not want the listener to see/hear me stutter. Our beliefs and self-image create our thoughts - our thoughts then shape our behaviours. By systematically challenging my self-limiting beliefs, and widening my self-image to incorporate new roles (including public speaking), I have eliminated my stuttering mindset. Should a momentary dysfluency occur when I am speaking, I continue as if nothing had happened. If we show signs of embarrassment, distress or frustration, this will (invariably) impact upon the audience. They will sense our unease and reciprocate by feeling uncomfortable in return. However, if we are able to demonstrate that we are accepting of the manner in which we speak, it has been my experience that our listeners will do likewise. They will take their cue from us. Being an effective communicator does not necessarily mean that we have to be fluent. I know many ‘fluent’ people who are poor communicators. I have also met many PWS who are able to communicate very effectively and connect with an audience. In order to improve my public speaking skills, I focused on various aspects of my speech such as pausing, clearer articulation, greater voice projection, intonation etc. I simply immersed myself in the moment, let go and spoke with enthusiasm and passion. Having discovered that public speaking (and speaking in general) can be so much fun, I now welcome every opportunity to exercise my vocal cords.:-) Sachin, you may wish to read my earlier response to Ross, which also touches upon some of the points that you have raised. Thank you, once again, for your interest. Kindest regards Alan