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From: Alan (to Jenny)
Date: 15 Oct 2012
Time: 05:52:23 -0500
Remote Name: 95.144.97.61
Hi Jenny, Thank you for your generous comments. It was kind of you to write in such a generous vein. Having stuttered since early childhood, I had developed a host of self-limiting beliefs. The most influential belief was that I would never be able to deal with my communication issues. That belief remained firmly ingrained until 2000 when I met a PWS who had successfully embraced public speaking. For the first time in my life, I allowed myself to entertain the thought (and hope) that I might be able to do something similar. That fortuitous encounter sowed the seeds of an empowering belief that subsequently changed the course of my life. The rest is history, as they say. :-) Incidentally, you may be interested in reading two of my past ISAD Online Conference papers that, I feel, will provide you with a greater insight into the matter: “STEP OUTSIDE: Why expanding comfort zones can improve our stuttering and lead to more fulfilling lives” (2003) http://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/isad6/papers/badmington6.html “How Beliefs and Self-image Can Influence Stuttering” (2009) http://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/isad12/papers/badmington12.html When the comfort zone article was published, several SLPs (who do not stutter) wrote to me expressing the view that the general principles contained in the paper would be of assistance to them in their own lives. I shall embrace this subject in my presentation at the forthcoming ASHA Annual Convention. Thank you, once again, for your interest. Kindest regards Alan