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About the author: Alan Badmington is a former police officer and lifelong stutterer from Wales, UK. He is a successful figure in the public speaking clubs of England and Wales and regularly addresses diverse community organisations in an attempt to increase public awareness about stuttering. He has also given talks to trainee SLPs, as well as undertaking presentations at NSA and BSA events. He was a keynote speaker at the 7th World Congress for People Who Stutter in Australia in February 2004, where he also won the Oratory Competition. His television, radio and newspaper interviews have further brought stuttering to the fore. Alan has contributed a chapter to John Harrison's book, 'How to conquer your fears of speaking before people'. His work has been reproduced in NSA/BSA publications and on the major stuttering-related websites. Alan is joint owner of Stutteringchat, the world's largest Internet group for persons who stutter. Email: alan@highfieldstile.fsnet.co.uk |
You can post Questions/comments about the following story to Alan Badmington before October 22, 2004.
EVERYONE'S DIFFERENT
Text by Alan Badmington
from Wales
Alan reads Everyone's Different (rm - 1.8 MB)
Alan reads Everyone's Different (wma - 4.1 MB)
Alan reads Everyone's Different (mp3 - 840K)
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Laura has freckles, Nina has spots |
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Brad is athletic and runs like the wind Toby is awkward and undisciplined Grandma has wrinkles and silver-grey hair Granddad is balding and sleeps in the chair |
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Clarice is pretty, delightful and sweet Robert's good looking, but has smelly feet John's a musician and plays a bassoon Will has a keyboard but sings out of tune |
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Martin has black skin, Hayley is white Charlotte is gentle, Dan loves a fight Susan has blue eyes, Judy's are green Rachel's are brownish, the largest I've seen |
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Vicky is cheerful, Angie is glum Cher looks like Daddy, I look like Mum Amy has blonde hair, Gina's is red Claire is well-nourished, Dave's underfed |
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Bill is ambitious and works hard at school Alex is lazy but thinks he is cool Jason is boring, Bonnie is fun She brightens a party, like rays from the sun |
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Calvin has short legs, Wanda is tall Jerry is bigger, but smaller than Paul Jane is a good girl, as everyone knows Joey's a naughty boy, Jack picks his nose |
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Paula's left-handed, Sophie is right Wendy wears glasses to help with her sight Brenda is thoughtful, Kramer's uncaring Harvey is cautious, Tracey is daring |
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Things would be dull if our lives were the same With identical clothing and same-sounding name If we shared the same interests and musical choice If we had the same accents, and similar voice |
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My father's a brother, an uncle, a son So many identities rolled into one Everyone's different, we're all quite unique The way that we look and the way that we speak |
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Our troubles, our talents, the way that we think The way that we laugh, and the way that we blink It's great that we differ, it adds to our worth There's no-one quite like us, elsewhere on this earth |
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Sometimes when I'm speaking, the words cease to flow My speech becomes bumpy, uncertain and slow At times I talk smoothly - at times I do not It's just that I'm different, yes different! -- SO WHAT? |
© 2004 Alan Badmington, all rights reserved
You can post Questions/comments about the above paper to Alan Badmington before October 22, 2004.
September 2004
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