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From: Justine Koglin (undergraduate)
Date: 10 Oct 2012
Time: 17:26:52 -0500
Remote Name: 35.24.46.156
Hello Jill, Thank you for your article. I admire your style of writing in your work. You were able to shed light on many aspects and difficulties a person who stutters covertly faces and simultaneously relate it to the topic of "coming out of the closet" in regards to the gay/lesbian community--a topic that so much of society seems to be focused on. Unfortunately, society tends to be quick to make judgements and opinions about people who are different for whatever reason. It seems to me that instead of being focused on each individual coming out of the closet, for whatever reason/difference they may have, that instead social stigmas be the focus of controversy and feel the pressure of "coming out of the closet" as well. By doing this we (society) can start taking a stand together to fight the social stigmas in place that create such dilemma for people who stutter in the first place. Without stigma ruling the way we perceive one another, then we may be able to work toward a more comfortable society for all. I am currently enrolled in a fluency disorders class at my university. In class we have related stuttering to an iceberg. On the surface you may be able to hear and see some aspects of the condition, but underneath lies a tremendous amount of feelings and emotions that the person who stutters tries to conceal. A few weeks ago I read a story submitted by a woman who shared her life story about covertly stuttering. Her story has stuck with me since I read it and I often think about how exhausted she must have been her whole life for fear of what society would think of her. Furthermore, as you bring up, people who stutter covertly not only have to worry about the consequences of stuttering overtly, but they must also deal with the complications of coming out all together. Thus, adding even more exhaustion and stress! Therefore, to administer change we will have to continue to rally for support of people who stutter and awareness to be spread to those who do not understand the condition. I can say as a young woman in my 20's that many of my peers do not understand stuttering and have probably never received any information on the subject. Consequently, without any prior education or information, it is likely that they will respond in a way that a person who stutters may find offensive (creating more negative feelings about the self). It is a great task at hand, but hopefully one day there will be an understanding and increase in awareness about stuttering instead of the stigma that causes those who stutter to do so covertly. Thank you for your insight and time in reading my comment. Sincerely, Justine Koglin (Undergraduate)