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From: Alan Badmington
Date: 15 Oct 2006
Time: 16:17:52 -0500
Remote Name: 84.71.28.33
Hi Janet, It's a pleasure to hear from you again. Thank you for the generous sentiments that you expressed. I may surprise you one of these days and recite some of my poetry on your voicemail. Is there any time limit? ;-) You write, "I've seen some using technology who have quickly gained confidence in speaking (and therefore in themselves too), while others make slow progress". I've said it many times (and even written a poem about it) - "Everyone's different". If all PWS were the same, I'm sure that you SLPs would find life SO boring ;-) As I have also expressed elsewhere, I genuinely believe that prosthetic devices are best used in conjunction with some kind of therapy or stuttering management. I feel that clients need to understand the fact that our thoughts and actions are influenced by our beliefs, and the way in which we view ourselves. If we continue to retain self-limiting beliefs (those that hold us back from doing things), and fail to widen our self-image to include roles that we have, hitherto, felt lay outside our scope, then we will continue to be influenced by the same stuttering mindset. We will continue to live our lives in accordance with those restrictive beliefs, image and fears. We will (unconsciously) continue to avoid certain things and responsibilities. Technology certainly can (and does) play an important part in the lives of persons who stutter. I fully recognise the contribution that it made to my life for 20 years. Although I was proud of what I achieved during that period, the paths that I have trodden since discarding my mechanical crutch have tasted that little bit sweeter ;-) I am now walking unaided, but I recognise that I would not have been in a position to take advantage of the new approach that presented itself in May 2000, had I not leaned on the technological support for two decades. Despite immense setbacks (and there were many), the Masker allowed me to create a system that would support greater fluency and self-expression later in life. The approach that I commenced six years ago was the final piece in the jigsaw. Janet, I hope that our paths will cross one day. Kindest regards Alan