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From: Alan Badmington
Date: 10/10/03
Time: 4:17:55 AM
Remote Name: 195.92.67.70
Hi Vasu,
Thank you for your encouraging comments. I am delighted that my paper has inspired you to rekindle your desire to lead a more challenging life.
You ask about the steps that I took to develop my interpersonal skills. I suppose that, being a former police officer, I was fortunate in this respect. Although I stuttered throughout my police career (and I had serious problems), the very nature of the job compelled me to deal with members of the public.
You may have read elsewhere in my responses that I wore a small mechanical device (the Edinburgh Masker - now obsolete) for 20 years. Although I still stuttered, it gave me the confidence to venture into situations that most PWS might have avoided. I feel that I, therefore, gained interpersonal skills that many PWS are denied.
The principal reason that I have attended so many seminars during recent times is that I just adore interacting with people. If they are complete strangers, then I find it even more challenging and rewarding.
The courses/seminars have been parochial in nature - provided by local authorities, education bodies or private individuals. Apart from the latter, the events have not been too expensive.
They have embraced the following aspects:
Public and impromptu speaking; presentational skills; communication skills (including the very important art of listening - I was a poor listener because when someone else was addressing me, I would concentrate on my response); interviewing techniques; small talk; assertiveness; self-esteem; confidence building; positive thinking; affirmations; NLP etc etc.
I have also acquired an extensive library of books on most of these subjects, although there is no substitute for meeting people face to face.
I believe that because I have expanded in other areas of my life (and not just concentrated upon the mechanics of my speech), my stutter has improved as a byproduct of those activities.
I am currently putting together a package of thoughts about the above subjects (and other psychological aspects of stuttering), which I shall share with a group of other PWS in the UK next month.
I'm sorry but I must rush - I'm commencing yet another 12 weeks assertiveness course in a couple of hours;-)
May I wish you every success.
Kindest regards
Alan Badmington