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From: Russ Hicks
Date: 21 Oct 2006
Time: 20:56:06 -0500
Remote Name: 71.123.208.188
Hi Elizabeth, ..... You asked, "First, how did you feel about going to "speech correction" camp? Did you feel like you were forced to go, or was it your decision?" I was ten years old when I went to camp for the first time, so I simply did what my parents told me to do. And yes, I desperately wanted to "cure my stuttering" and I was willing to do whatever it took to get that done. And it never occurred to anyone that it wouldn't work. ..... You also asked, "...while you're speaking today, do you use any of the strategies that you have learned over the years to try and reduce the frequency of stuttering?" No, I never attempt to reduce the frequency of my stuttering. But yes, I certainly do use every technique at my disposal to improve my communication ability. But fluency and communication are different concepts. I can communicate very well but my core stuttering is always with me. It just doesn't interfere with my communication. My struggles to NOT stutter are non-existent these days, and my stuttering is very easy and open. ..... As a side note, using the simple techniques of light contact and easy onset, I have the utmost confidence that I can get out of ANY severe block that comes my way. But I rarely have need to use those techniques in my daily life. It's the confidence that I CAN use them if necessary (which almost never happens) that's important. ..... Thanks for reading my paper and for your kind words. ..... I wish you the best, Elizabeth. ..... Russ, my email is russhicks@mail.com