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From: Ann van der Berg S.A
Date: 10/22/00
Time: 5:00:04 AM
Remote Name: 196.7.205.69
Hi Natalie
Thank you very much for all of the compliments. This is my first time to ever be involved with anything like this and I have loved every minute.
Firstly I never went for any Therapy at all, in South Africa in the 1970’s/80’s they didn’t know very much about stuttering. My teachers were great but they did make me say my orals in front of the whole class. Now I believe the children are asked to come back after school to do their orals in private.
My first job was when I was in school I use to work at a Supermarket over weekends and holidays but not on the tills as my friends did but upstairs answering the switchboard. My job also included having to intercom downstairs to the departmental sections to answer their phone. This was my biggest nightmare as most of the incoming calls were for the Fruit and Vegetable department. The first time I tried to say it over the intercom it came out as follows “Fffffffffffffruit and Veg, telephone please.” The second time I had to intercom them I decided to change it around to “ Veg and Fruit, telephone please.” Yes! that worked!!! Phew. I use to build up an absolute sweat to try and not stutter over the intercom. In my mind I could see all of the shoppers, Managers and Supervisors laughing at me. Oddly enough I was never teased here. Then again I was 5ft 7in at the age of 16 and very athletic built.(maybe they were scared as I was taller than the boys even then).
When I left School I went for my first interview to become a Sales Representative. I must have been mad. I may be a stutterer but God also blessed me with a sense of humor and leadership qualities. Well I got the job and have been in Sales and Marketing ever since (19 years) and I love it. My stuttering has improved remarkably, I have no idea how. Now I only stutter on my sssssss. My customers think it is cute. I still do get a bit embarrassed but I always keep eye contact and when the other party realize that I am OK with stuttering they relax and all is well.
I am also very different in the way that I stutter because I stutter more when I am in a relaxed atmosphere such as at home or with friends. Maybe it is the Irish in me that makes me back to front.
As I have never been to a therapist I feel I cannot give good quality advise. From my own personal experience stutteres must to be as confident as they possibly can, keep eye contact at all times and most of all what you have to say is important and people do want to hear you. Also learn to laugh at yourself. In my case it was easy but I do know that some people are very sensitive to jokes etc. Do try and accept that you stutter and when you do you will find you can handle and deal with it better.
Regards Ann