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From: Alan Badmington
Date: 15 Oct 2012
Time: 15:13:33 -0500
Remote Name: 95.144.98.88
Hi Katherine, Thank you for sharing your experiences. I’ve personally encountered several thousand persons who stutter during the past 12 years. Although I’ve noted many similarities, it has been abundantly clear that we are all unique. I undertake an extensive programme of talks to community organisations (in the UK), aimed at increasing public awareness about stuttering. After completing my presentation (which embraces my own lifetime of stuttering), I conduct a question and answer session before mingling with the audience. I’m frequently approached by people who talk openly about their own struggles with the spoken word. Some bravely make significant revelations in front of all and sundry. In my current ISAD Online Conference paper (‘The value of the Internet for people who stutter’), I refer to the fact that many PWS find it difficult to talk about the issues that affect their lives, even with friends and family members. Yet, many who subscribe to online support groups confide that they are far more at ease when discussing such matters within that environment. Divulging even the most intimate details to "total strangers" can sometimes be less challenging than revealing them to someone you know. Greater openness about my life-time struggles has proved invaluable in helping me to overcome my previous embarrassment. Revealing my "darkest secrets" has greatly aided the desensitization process. Incidentally, I’ve been promising myself that I will write my autobiography for the past decade but I simply haven’t got around to putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). Your time management skills are, obviously, far superior to mine. :-) I look forward to reading your book next year. Kindest regards Alan