[ Contents ]
From: Russ Hicks
Date: 10/22/03
Time: 10:35:20 AM
Remote Name: 12.237.88.139
Hello Jerry,
You said...
"I agree that it is critical to start off a talk to a group with some kind of an explanation..."
Yes I agree MOST of the time, but not necessarily ALL the time. In Toastmaster contests for example, where the subject may not be about stuttering, I have no choice but to simply let the audience hear me stutter. If it's easy and open enough, I've found that they really couldn't care less. It's about COMMUNICATION, not FLUENCY.
Also you said...
"... but often I have thought it would be easier (and therapeutic) to wear a button that says something to the effect of I am a stutterer."
Ha, ha! Yes, definitely! When I go to NSA conventions I'll always wear my "If You Stutter, You're Not Alone" button, even in the airports and on the planes. No doubt it certainly takes a lot of the pressure off.
The problem is that stuttering is an AUDITORY condition, and buttons are VISUAL signs. To really make your listeners understand, you've got to let them HEAR you stutter. (You said something similar to this.) Tough situation, I understand...
Confession time here... I LOVE name tags! When I'm wearing one, I can walk up to someone and say, "Hi, I'm R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R..." and I can see them quickly look at my name tag and say, "Hi Russ. How're ya doin'?" THEN I can say R-R-Russ quite easily! It sure takes the pressure off, no doubt! <smile>
Also you said...
"When the listener reacts of a grin, chuckle, etc. I believe it is most often out of surprise and not knowing how to respond."
Yes, exactly. They typically think of the common "Johnny Carson tongue stumbling" that we all do. And that IS funny! What they do NOT understand is that our stuttering is something else entirely. So we have three choices...
1. React to it by feeling anger, fear and rejection. "Nobody understand my pain..." And do nothing.
2. Ignore it. Forget about their reaction and simply go about your business.
3. Educate them.
And we've all done probably all three at one time or another. Hopefully we do less and less of choice number 1 as time goes by. That only hurts US and doesn't help anyone. Quite often we choose number 2 because it simply is not worth the effort or it's not appropriate at the time. This is where "balance" comes in. But when we pick choice number 3, that's where the maximum good is done. To all parties involved. The downside of that choice is time and appropriateness. Again, it comes down to the proper "balance."
Good comments, Jerry. Thanks for stopping by.
My best,
Russ