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From: Steve Hood
Date: 10/20/02
Time: 2:43:13 PM
Remote Name: 64.12.96.134
Hello, Jeff.
You asked a great question, I do not have an answer to it. I would, however, like to make some comments.
Regarding what you way in the second paragraph, on the one hand you indicate that it is easier for you when you "do not stutter while speaking" and then you also say that you can "communicate effectively whatever (your) degree of fluency." I believe one of the major issues here is not the stuttering per se, but the severity of the stuttering. There are always a few listeners who are idiots (Bob Quesal might say people "who don't get it.") These are the exceptions. I think it is fair to say that the vast majority of listeners do not react negatively to stuttering-- what they react negatively to is the severity of the stuttering. People who stutter mildly (and I mean because their stuttering is **mild,** and not covert/hidden/interiorized) do not get much in the way of adverse listener reactions, and for these people stuttering need not be "disability" or a "handicap." As Walt Manning has said, these people can make decisions independently from the possibility of stuttering, so the factor of stuttering doesn't enter into the decision making process. People for whom stuttering is still an issue make decisions based on the possibility of stuttering, and let stuttering become more disabling and handicapping that it needs to be....
For this second group, I believe a major reason is that they do not have the degree of self acceptance that is needed. This is where being open, honest, and tolerant become important.
I think Ken St.Louis made a good point when he talked about explaining the various outcome-options that might be available; e.g., fluency shaping -vs- stuttering modification.
But in either case, **fluency is more than the absence of stuttering.** Just because you "stop stuttering" doesn't necessarily mean that you are "cured"-- expecially if the reason you stopped stuttering involves things to postpone and avoid stuttering through tricks and crutches that are only temporary.
Finally, I would suggest that while self-acceptance alone may not solve the problem, self-acceptance will go a long way toward reducing the shame, guilt and denial that help serve to perpetuate the problem.
Well, Jeff... You invited the panelists to pick up on this issue. In the 36 hours remaining, I hope others will join in and commet further.