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From: Jeff Shames
Date: 10/19/02
Time: 10:35:21 AM
Remote Name: 205.188.209.80
I have known many of the panelists from stuttering conventions. This kind of open discussion is an online way to replicate the give and take that takes place when pws gather. Reading this threaded discussion has been helpful and informative.
Re the issue of self acceptance: my being a part of the self-help/mutual aid stuttering world, and producing the film "Stutter Step", have helped increase my feelings of self-acceptance as a stutterer dramatically. It is easier for me when I do not stutter while speaking. But I now know that I am able to communicate effectively whatever my degree of "fluency".
For many people, both pws and the general public, however, it still comes down to the old "fluent speech is good; stuttered speech is bad" model.
I tell people that gaining a degree of self-acceptance helps deal with one's stutter. But it remains a paradox that one is striving to become more self accepting about stuttering while doing what one can to "stop" stuttering. Or get "cured".
I invite the comments of any of the panelists about this issue. Thank you.