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From: Mike Lefko
Date: 24 Oct 2012
Time: 20:39:30 -0500
Remote Name: 74.250.190.170
Mary - let me address your questions: Do you think that as a child you were less aware of your stuttering, and as a result, had no difficulties making friends and participating in school activities? When I was a kid, by the time I got to junior high and high school, I had a group of friends who accepted me for who i was, which helped me accept myself. I didn't see much need to change myself at the time. I believe I was very aware of it ( the stuttering) It just didn't get in my way enough for me to do something about it during those years. Can you describe some of the difficulties you had when you were teaching? Did you ever feel as though you were not teaching the content well enough because of your stuttering? My issue was never with the kids. teaching special ed, I used it for many years as a way to connect to my students, and let them know that just because you have a challenge doesn't mean you cant be successful. In professional circles with parents, and colleagues there were years when I would be in a parent teacher conference, and was supposed to be the professional. I would block, and sweat, and anticipate further failure. I was a mess and I sensed others discomfort and helplessness to do anything for me. They were a touch few years. I got through that period without therapy and eventually became functional again, and even relatively fluent. I have had ups and downs speech-wise over my professional career, and have gotten back into therapy several times, including in the past year when i really felt I needed it. So content with students was never an issue. Being and feeling like a professional with adults, was a challenge for many years.