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From: John Kagie
Date: 10/9/01
Time: 7:24:06 PM
Remote Name: 195.121.168.114
Dear Jaan,
Since the issue of “ letting non-stutterers know that it's not helpful to try to complete a sentence for a person who stutters” was mentioned in the article and again in your reaction, I would like to make some comments.
This issue has been the subject of a major campaign in the Netherlands some years ago. I did not particularly like this approach and have checked with many PWSs and non-PWSs over the last year how they felt about it. Most of them felt it was rather silly.
I will try to explain why I did not like the campaign. It is a natural inclination to want to help. If an old lady has a problem lifting her grocery bag in the boot of her car, most of us will just take over her bag and place it where we think she wants it to be. Telling people to suppress this natural inclination will meet with resistance. I think it is far better to advise non-stutterers just to ask a PWS whether he of she does or does not appreciate it when the listeners tries to complete a sentence for them. One advantage of this approach is, that the listener creates the opportunity to open the subject of stuttering for a further exchange of views. Second advantage is that you do not create the image of that poor PWS who is not able to speak out for her or himself.
This is just my own observation, other views are, of course, welcome, best regards,
John Kagie (NL ISA contact)