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Additional discussion topics
- I tell people that I didn't grow up stuttering, I grew up trying not to stutter. For me, stuttering has always been not what I am saying, but what I am not saying
- You know about THAT LOOK. That look of disgust that questions why God put me on the face of this earth talking the way that I do. As I was getting off the shuttle, this jerk said, "You really should practice more on your speech."
- Stuttering is what we do when we try not to stutter.
- Ice breaker humor
- I am really left with the thoughts that I have, until a few years ago, always told myself that stuttering needs to be stopped and once I stop stuttering, than I will stop fearing stuttering.
- Listening to people who stutter
- Practice, practice, practice.
- Advice for fluent people in general
- Advice for SLPs working with stutterers
- Advice for other stutterers
- Advice for parents of children who stutter
- Communication vs. fluency
- The differences in all of us: What works, what doesn't
- If I didn't stutter, then _____
- What would my life be like if I never stuttered?
- Any advantages to stuttering?
- What do we say when we tell people about stuttering?
- Fluency vs. anxiety baggage
- When is it important to be fluent?
- Attitude of acceptance: a cop out?
- Stuttering is neither good nor bad. It's just a fact
- The "pink pill:" would you take it?
- I think being a great person has to do with character and has nothing to do with stuttering - stuttering is irrelevant.
- I disagree...stuttering isn't irrelevant when it comes to shaping our characters. Sometimes we get feelings ingrained simply because we stutter...shamefulness, loss of self-confidence, avoidance of social situations...this list of character traits goes on and on. It is true that there are some fluent people who possess the same traits, but with stuttering, I think it's more frequent, and the feelings more powerful. So powerful, in fact, that they shape our lives - and our characters!
- Relationships with fluent people (what will she think?)
- Avoidances: good or bad? Why? Advice?
- How do you feel when talking with another stutterer?
- Toastmasters: What is it? Is it for me? Public speaking scares me to death!
- I'll do _________ as soon as I get over my stuttering.
- What is the best therapy for stutterers? Fluency shaping? Acceptance?
- Does voluntary stuttering work? Or does it reinforce stuttering?
- We stutter because we want to.
- Why AREN'T you in therapy?
- But on the other hand, I've grown up to be a damn fine person stuttering and all, and I like myself a lot. I think I'll keep me.
- Have you read Marty Jezer's book, "Stuttering, A Life Bound Up In Words?"
- Yeah, if I didn't stutter I might be rich and famous. I might also be an unhappy jerk-or a happy one. I got dealt a hand with many useless cards. I love music, but can't carry a tune. I love basketball, but I'm no Michael Jordan
- Why me, Lord?
- It has allowed me to teach my children that any differences they see in people are "okay" and nothing to be judged or laughed at.
- It has allowed me to meet, become close to, learn from, share with, reach out to and love so many others who stutter. That in itself makes stuttering a gift. Stuttering has allowed me to become a part of the NSA family which is the best gift of all.
- I am strong and tenacious! I have walked among the clouds and have soared like an eagle!
- I am reminded, though, of a story once told to me that if we all could throw our problems into one big pile, but were required to have some problems in life, we would choose our own back. Do you agree?
- My Mom used to beat me for stuttering. As I grew older, she would just walk out of the room. My Dad would grimace. But we get over these things. I love them both. They were doing their best with limited information.
- My teachers used to hit my hand with a ruler because I couldn't talk, they would try to force the sound out of you.
- Stuttering sucks. There's nothing good about it. It has always kept me from doing the things I want to do. And it always will.
- The criticism I have of some stuttering treatment methods is that they reinforce the traditional mind-set that stuttering is a bad thing to do.
- One of the things I've learned in the NSA is that we can change the rules about stuttering. I still want to speak fluently when I can and am willing to work on modifying my speech. But I also believe that stuttering is NOT a bad thing and that people who stutter have the right to be treated with the same respect and accommodation as people with other development disorders.
- I think we should think twice before condemning programs which have worked for some simply because it did not work for others...just as we should be careful not to imply that what worked for us should work for all (or most, or many) others.
- Fluency by itself is an empty goal.
- Neurology, psychology, behavior - it's all brain stuff.
- Probably the least influential factor in stuttering is the actual speech producing apparatus in our mouths and throats.
- Emotional "baggage": What is it? Do I have it? How can I get rid of it? (and do I need to get rid of it?)
- Covert Stuttering: What is it? A covert stutterer doesn't really stutter!
- What do fluent people REALLY think about people who stutter?
Russ Hicks is a long-time NSA member, chapter leader, and a prize-winning Toastmaster whose "chickens" have brought him enviable notoriety around the Southwest.
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