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From: Steve, Your Teenager
Date: 10/6/03
Time: 3:37:22 PM
Remote Name: 147.26.104.100
Steve, I always enjoy reading your comments. I must offer an alternative here, however. I agree with your teen who will not wear your t-shirt. I would not either. Personally, I have never been comfortable seeing my stuttering as something that has to be "advertised." Stuttering is a condition that needs to be faced squarely and openly. Being able to put the listener at ease by mentioning your stuttering appropriately when you begin to talk or after a bad moment is one thing. But wearing a t-shirt or button to "advertise" seems somewhat inappropriate and for sure something that teenagers will not do.
I had a client one time who suggested he make a button to wear that informs people he stutters. He asked me what I thought of that. I told him that I did not recommend it. When I asked him why he wanted a button, he stated, "So I don't have to tell people that I stutter. I don't want to talk about it." The button was an avoidance to be sure.
If I have a client who wants a t-shirt, I'll have them get in touch with you! Take care.
Dick Mallard