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From: Gunars
Date: 10/3/00
Time: 8:50:39 PM
Remote Name: 12.13.226.14
Ann,
Using Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy principles, I have learned to accept reality at its own terms. I, probably, will stutter a some, so at the start of a converstation I throw in some easy voluntary re-repetitions. :-) In my mind I know that there is very, very little penalty, if any, for easy stuttering. That is just a part of living in a world where people come from diverse gene pools. Some have blue eyes, some have brown eyes, some have 20/20 vision, some don't. My attitude is that I don't have a 20/20 speech. :-)
The next step is to set the listeners at ease. If before a speech I can, I mingle with the "top brass" and use some voluntary repetitions. This gets the big wheels, at least, at ease with my speech. A few times I have said from the podium, "Sometimes I stutter. If there is something that you don't understand, please feel free to ask me to repeat.
Throwing in voluntary repetitions at the start of my speech has helped me tremendously. And understanding that primary, easy stuttering is just one small part of my total self and unconditional self acceptance, really have been the keys to my success.
My irreverent sense of humor has also helped me out. When one of the top executives, came to talk to us recently, to give us a pep talk, he shared with us that his last assignment was in Czech Republic as a CEO of an Aircraft Company. At the end of his speech he asked if there were any questions? "Sir," I intoned, "is the Czech beer really as good as it is touted to be?":-) Over hundred of the two hundred people in the audience laughed, the other hundred probably thought that I should be strung up by my thumbs. :-)
You asked whether we have to write on our resumes if we stutter. The answer is no.
Gunars