When all you need is a miracle, one of these will do: Role models, not fluency pills

Re: confidence in stuttering and fluency

From: Gina
Date: 10/23/00
Time: 10:37:52 AM
Remote Name: 148.88.17.28

Comments

Hi Melinda

Thanks for reading the paper - I'll do my best to answer your questions.

No, John never once gave me any techniques or tips on improving my fluency. He believed (and I agree with him) that it's your attitude to stuttering that needs addressing before you even being to think of practical therapy.

John never seemed to be keen on speech therapists, and he never stuck to one long-term. His stuttering had decreased as he got older, as did his attitude. John did slow his rate of speech down sometimes when talking, and I noted he often elongated some words to get through them.

I have to emphasise - and this is for everyone - John never said stuttering was a 'good' thing, because it isn't. But what he DID say was we don't have to become a victim of it, and it doesn't have to drag us down or control us. This is a view I now carry with me, and it helps.

Thanks again

-Gina :-)

Last changed: September 12, 2005