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From: Russ Hicks
Date: 10/19/03
Time: 10:24:54 PM
Remote Name: 12.237.88.139
Hi Nicholas,
My mother taught me about that moderation concept all my life. "Moderation in all things," she said many, many times. The foods we ate, the clothes we wore, the books we read, the stuff we learned in school... It was an ingrained part of my fabric. Anything taken to excess is probably bad for you. And I believe that to this day.
I advertise my stuttering every reasonable chance I get. I ask my techie friends for help on the new National Stuttering Association web sites and NSA convention picture sites. It's one of the most open aspects of my life. But they don't bore me to death talking about their pet projects (though SOME are interesting), and I don't bore them to death talking about stuttering. "Moderation in all things..." I hear my mother's voice talking in my ear all the time.
I have MANY opportunities to speak to groups of people about stuttering. I talked to a Rotary Club last week. Toastmaster clubs are my favorite target. NSA conferences, Lion's clubs, school SLP meetings, university student SLP classes, business organizations... I even gave a major presentation to the National Auctioneers' Association last year. Heck, I'd even go on Oprah if she asked me! <smile>
But when "the" topic is not about stuttering, I don't force the issue. The story about the flasher was one example. Hey, that guy was the only criminal either of us had ever busted! Ha, ha, ha! And stuttering just played zero part in it.
I hope this answers your question. Let me know if you want me to bore you to death with even more details... <smile>
Good luck! I hope you're enjoying the conference! Thanks for stopping by!
Russ