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From: Tobe and Chris
Date: 10/20/02
Time: 7:18:40 PM
Remote Name: 194.117.133.196
Hi Sarah,
The fluency question is an interesting one - I don't think I've actually thought about it before, believe it or not.
I wouldn't say my fluency per se was any better but my attitude towards it is one hundred percent improved. The big change is realising that the sky doesn't fall in when I have to ask for something or order at a restaurant etc. If I stutter, well..I stutter. I think the same could be said when I experience that wonderful accidental fluency - I don't go overboard about it when it happens, as both levels of fluency should only really be a means to an end, namely communicating the best way you can at a given time. Sure, it can be irritating at times but it's soon forgotten and then it's onto the next thing. The worst thing we as stutterers can do is to dwell on our so-called "failures" - it's completely pointless as it doesn't get us anyway except into a state of depression and hopelessness. I used to worry for weeks on end when something went wrong with my speech or I had to do something stressful. I even stopped going to the dentist as it meant talking to the receptionist and the dentist - the actual dentistry was the least of my worries!
Going back to the fluency issue, like a lot of stutterers, mine tends to fluctuate between situations, people, tiredness, stress and anything you would care to think of. Oddly enough I'm not any more fluent at home with close family, but I do find it can improve when the conversation is at a less serious level. My fluency tends to dip alarmingly though when I meet someone I know slightly, in the street. I think my mind tends to go blank and it travels into my larynx lol!
We're shortly flying away to St. Louis to meet a lot of Chris's family and friends, so that should be interesting in terms of fluency. I really have no idea what I'll be like...I think it's a case of watch this space!!!
Best wishes,
Tobe and Chris