The Stuttering World
I can remember when I was going through middle school and early high school, stuttering occupied my mind a lot. In fact, it occupied it so much that I let opportunities pass me by. When I would go towards those opportunities, it was like a curtain closed on me and the phrase “hey you stutter” would show up. After I accepted my stuttering and became more open about it, stuttering still occupied my mindset, but in a positive light. This time, it was not a curtain closing on me, but a curtain opening on me and showing me the new opportunities that stuttering has brought to me. That’s great right? It can be for a while but just because something tastes good does not mean it should be eaten all the time.
What I have learned over the last couple of years is it does not matter how disfluent/fluent I am, bottom line is I live in the real world and I would not have it any other way. Think about it. What better satisfaction can I get when I am able to do “regular” things that “regular” people do. The reason I put the word regular in quotes is because often stuttering holds back people from doing what they want to do. We stutterers give ourselves excuses to not do something because we are afraid to take that leap. Well I say, take that leap, because the current foundation will crumble sooner or later and there will be another hole to climb out of. Take stuttering with you into the real world, instead of being in the world of stuttering. It feels great!
This feeling I have is the reason why I have been very rarely posting new entries. I have been very occupied with my freelance work (I’ll have some stuff about that later), school, and life. I have somewhat lost interest in the stuttering world. I still go to conferences to meet new people and see old friends, but overall, the real world is where I feel I belong. My speech has not been the best it can be in a while but the wheels are always in motion, and hey, everyone talks differently, and I just happen to talk with a stutter
If you are reading this, I am very appreciative of that! I started this late 2005 when there were only 1-2 other blogs on stuttering around and I did not expect anyone to read it; it was supposed to be a personal journal so I can look back and reflect. Instead, I hope this reaches whoever. Let me know about your experiences in the stuttering world or the real world.
-DDDmitriy
Good stuff. I agree – we live in the real world. People who stutter should never limit themselves. Very often, we are better communicators than those who don’t stutter. Theres is so much more to communication than fluency.
There was a time when I let my stuttering hold such power over me, now its the other way around!
Hey are you going to be continue posting soon?
Yes I am! Shortly!
I totally agree will a lot of the topics you write about, it’s almost like you’re speaking directly to me – lol
look forward to your next post.
Very informative indeed, I enjoyed reading a lot of your posts, I will definitely be coming back on a regular basis and hoping to see more frequent updates.
Hi there,
This is Manpreet.I have visited your site many times.Your content is very nice and to the point.
I am promoting your site through my blog.And was wandreing if you could also promote my site by exchanging links.
My URl is :-
http://www.manpreetstammers.blogspot.com/
Thanks
Manpreet, thanks for the kind words! As soon as I figure out how to put links on this template I will! If not I’ll just create another page!
Dmitriy
Good thoughts! Continue to keep hope alive. I believe every obstacles (including stuttering) can be defeated its just a matter of time. I think you are very sincere in your train of thought, keep posting people are listening!
HEY Dmitriy, You probably remember from twitter:) Maybe? That was a really great post. All through middle school and high school and even now in college I am letting my stutter take control. I am afraid to ask qurstions, like specific questions. I tend to stutter most on specific information or just saying something freely without thinking about it before hand. I was so afraid to read outloud senior year of HS in my banking class that I would just accept the 0 on the reading assignments. I hated that so much because I wanted nothing more than to read, I actually wnated to idk something inside me felt like I couldn’t.
Hello
My name is Steven, I work at the British Stammering Association and I’m just writing to ask if you could maybe publicise ‘Stammering/ Stuttering Non-Avoidance Day’, which I have set up to happen on the last Friday of every month (starting this Friday 26th March).
I just thought everybody who stammers could choose at least one speaking situation they would normally avoid and go for it, be it asking for directions, buying a ticket, making/ answering a telephone call, etc. I’ve set up a facebook group and am trying to encourage people who stammer everywhere to join in and tell us how it went. Hopefully it will increase people’s confidence and get them to challenge their fears and negative thoughts.
Here’s the link to the group: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=111165478898300
I would be very grateful indeed if you could maybe write something about it in your blog, and hopefully join in yourself.
Thank you very much for your time.
Steven
I am a stutterer not that much severe as others but i find it difficult to talk to friends fluently. Whenever i am singing a song, talking to myself, reading i am fluent completely even while presenting something i don’t stutter. Have anyone done stuttering therapy?