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From: Dick Mallard
Date: 13 Oct 2006
Time: 14:24:53 -0500
Remote Name: 70.120.195.121
Brandye, you asked a good question. I had a newspaper reporter ask me one time what I learned in childhood that helped me "overcome" stuttering as an adult. I did not have therapy until I was age 22 and in graduate school. The best foundation I received as a child is that my parents insisted that stuttering not be used as an excuse for anything. If I had to give a report in school, I had to "do the best you can, even if you can't say a word, and we will be proud of you." Not giving the report was not an option! My parents also insisted on me having good manners and social skills. I had to look at people when I talked to them, speak where others could hear me, shake hands like I meant it, and demonstrate respect and manners with all, especially individuals older than me and women. Having good social skills and knowing that you can interact socially and deal with others appropriately are tremendous foundations on which to build good communication skills and speech control. When I did get help for my speech, the communication environment was not a threat to me because I felt I was socially competent and that I had confidence in myself as an individual. By the way, my wife of 42 years still appreciates that I open doors for her!