[ Contents | Search | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: Alan Badmington (to Erin)
Date: 04 Oct 2005
Time: 10:12:02 -0500
Remote Name: 84.65.77.244
Hi Erin, Thank you for your generous comments! I was interested to read about your school experiences - they brought back memories. Incidentally, I use an abundance of humorous anecdotes when addressing community organisations about stuttering in an attempt to increase public awareness. I feel that humour can be a very powerful means of conveying a serious message. I was heartened to learn that you have not allowed your speech difficulties to dictate your passage through life. Sadly, many PWS do just that. I also note that you are currently studying speech pathology and wish you every success in that field. I'm sure that your past experiences will benefit yourself and future clients. You mention that the acquisition of greater self-confidence helped you to overcome your fuel-filled way of life. I can fully relate to that. The more challenges I overcame, the more daring I became. My next challenge involved far more risk taking – that’s how we expand and grow in stature. You also express a desire to learn more about the breathing technique that I used. May I respectfully refer you to my earlier response to Gailyn, in which I provide details about this and other tools I acquired. And, finally, you ask about my entry into the world of public speaking. I could speak for hours about that subject – but I will resist the temptation ;-) During my initial 4-day McGuire course back in May 2000, I did a considerable amount of speaking in front of a large group (probably 80 or more people). On the third day of the course, we were taken out onto the streets of Cardiff (the capital of Wales), where we all mounted a soapbox. We engaged in public speaking midst the cacophony of Saturday afternoon shopping. It was purely voluntary – not mandatory – yet we fighting amongst ourselves to be first onto the box to demonstrate to the world how we could speak.. It really was an amazing experience. When I left the course, I attended weekly support groups designated for graduates of the Programme. That gave me further opportunities to consolidate my new speaking behaviour, and practise speaking in front of groups. Consequently, when I subsequently attended my first speakers’ club meeting (similar to Toastmasters International), I felt confident, albeit that the majority of my speaking had previously taken place within a relative comfort zone. Of course, I had some apprehension but I had the support of other persons who stutter. The feedback was most encouraging - they prophesised that I would soon by winning trophies. It wasn't long before that was actually happening. Well, I couldn't disappoint the evaluator could I? ;-) I have never looked back. I certainly implemented the techniques in the early stages but now I simply let go and have fun. I used them as a means to and end. Thank you, so much, for taking the time to respond to my paper. I hope that I have answered the points that you raised. When I noticed that you were studying at Western Washington University, I thought that we might have an opportunity to meet up next month when I visit Washington DC. I then realised that you are in Washington State ;-) Kindest regards Alan