MAY JUNE 2011

119 W. 40th Street, 14th Floor, New , NY 10018 • 800.WeStutter (937.8888) • 212.944.4050 • email: [email protected] • www.WeStutter.org

Are you Comfortable Seeing Another Call Me DJ Stutter Person Stutter? CHASE DECRAENE #TIM MACKESEY, CCC-SLP, BRSFD Here I am at the club with 400 people listening to me The recent success of the blockbuster powerful and motivating movie if one as I introduce myself over movie The King’s Speech has attracted lets it be so. the microphone as “ DJ people who stutter ( PWS ) to the theater The phenomenon that makes a PWS Stutter”. I am the resident in droves. Many PWS are ecstatic over the either avoid The King’s Speech movie or DJ at the hottest club on my college cam - portrayal of a hero who stutters- King feel unease while watching it is called pus. My business cards and promotional George VI . Other PWS have confided that projecting. The Encyclopedia Britannica posters all say DJ Stutter. If someone would they don’t feel they can go to the movie defines projection as: a form of defense have told me I would have this courage because seeing another person stuttering in which unwanted feelings are displaced back when I was in grade school, I might upsets them. Another group of PWS have onto another person, where they then not have believed it. I have learned to be gone and reported they felt very uncom - appear as a threat from the external world. open about stuttering and I encourage all fortable watching the actor Colin Firth A common form of projection occurs of you to let go, too. stammer. What happens within us that when an individual, threatened by his own My name is Chase Decraene and I am a could make us resist seeing another person angry feelings, accuses another of harboring stutterer. From elementary school to high stutter/stammer? It is important to solve hostile thoughts. Projecting, for example, school, my palms would get sweaty just at this for our own peace of mind. could result in a PWS assuming that King the thought of raising my hand in class to These recent conversations with PWS George VI feels exactly the way you do ask or answer a question. Imagine my palms provoked a flashback for me. I saw A Fish about stuttering. Projecting is also called when I had to do a presentation in front of Called Wanda in a crowded movie theater, mind reading – when we presume to know everyone! Let’s just say that I had to bring a and when I heard the audience explode exactly what another person is thinking or towel to class that day. It didn’t matter if the into laughter as Kevin Kline tormented a feeling without evidence. teacher called on me to speak or not. It was stuttering Michael Palin, I slid low in my Projecting leads to a mind-body state just me getting myself riled up because I seat to hide. I remember worrying that if called dissociation. Your physical body is in didn’t want to abnormal or be looked upon the audience detected my stutter, they the theater but you drift off into thoughts as “weird” by my peers just because I stutter. would turn in my direction and burst out and feelings about stuttering. The Merriam- I started deejaying in my freshman year in laughter. was a Webster dictionary defines dissociation as: of college and wanted to find a unique low point in motion picture portrayal of the separation of whole segments of the name that I could stand by and support. stuttering. I hope we never again see such personality or of discrete mental processes I decided on the name DJ Stutter because a discriminating and cruel movie again. from the mainstream of consciousness or well, first off, I could stutter the music The King’s Speech is the polar opposite of behavior. Your unconscious mind could while performing as a fun technique, but from Wanda. King George VI works with be recalling a particularly tough moment more importantly, it advertised the fact speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey of stuttering from your own past. You see that I stutter. I love it when clients call me Rush), gains control over his stammer, and another cast member’s reaction and compare for booking and they seem shocked when delivers a historic speech for the world to it to one of your stutter memories. In one I stutter over the phone. Hello! I guess hear. King George is a hero. This can be a scene the king’s brother mimics his stutter they didn’t get the hint on my business continued on page 8 continued on page 3

Advertisement: “I Stutter.” ...... 2 Chapter News ...... 5 Mandy Snapshot ...... 2 Odds & Ends ...... 6 Special Seat ...... 3 Let Us Salute the Silence ...... 7 Conference Schedule ...... 4 Golf Tournament ...... 8 First Timers, Are You Ready? ...... 5 Advertisement: “I Stutter.” #ERIC J. GARNER # When I think of advertising, I think of big billboards, colorful commercials, and catchy slogans. Some businesses Snapshot: Mandy Finstad use talking ducks or geckos to help con - sumers recognize and remember their Here’s a chance to get to know Mandy Finstad, University of Ulster and The Catholic products. As a person who stutters our Editor. Below she shares some information University of America respectively, and (PWS ), I was attending last month’s about herself. served as an active member of the Irish NSA Los Angeles – San Fernando Valley Growing up, my Dad was in the Navy, American Unity Conference and the Irish chapter meeting, where I was intro - which meant moving around and meeting Northern Aid Committee. Finally, in duced to the concept of advertising my new friends every few years. While some March of 2009, that dream was realized, stuttering . Although the concept was might consider this a nightmare, to me it and I was on a plane, alone, headed to new to me, I quickly recognized that it represented seeing a new place, setting up Dublin. The next two weeks were spent could be an effective tool in building a new bedroom, and making new friends gallivanting across the Emerald Isle with more awareness around stuttering. in the local school. Perhaps it was basic an Irish friend, meeting the first two PWS In the world of a PWS , “advertising” survival in these situations that forced me ever to enter my life, and rediscovering refers to stuttering freely in the presence to make a decision: get out there and who I was in the process. of others, allowing them to recognize thrive, or shrink away into the wallpaper. Upon my return I had a renewed ‘joie you as someone who stutters. After lis - While I had my rough times early in de vivre’, and vowed to myself never to be tening to others in the chapter meeting, adolescence, the older I got the more I afraid again. From here on out I would live I learned how they embrace this oppor - came into my own person. I developed an life to the fullest and never let an opportu - tunity to advertise in front of others. interest in music, and threw myself into it nity pass me by. Just two short weeks later, I had spent my entire life attempting wholeheartedly, joining no less than seven I found myself alone again, bravely headed to hide my impediment, only to realize performance groups throughout my four 45 minutes north to Baltimore to see a now that I had been hiding my true self years of high school. I was a far cry from music performance put on by a new friend. and limiting what I had to offer to the one of the ‘popular girls’, but I was a After the show, while waiting to say good - outside world. decent student, part of a loving family of bye to my friend Justin, I heard a stuttered I was missing out on great opportuni - four, and I had my hobbies and my core voice behind me ask, “How do you know ties to increase awareness about stuttering. group of true friends, and that was all I Justin?” I turned to see a gruff looking guy Advertising not only allows you to feel needed to feel secure in who I was. sitting on a brown leather couch, and since free about stuttering in public, but also After high school I attended George my friend was busy at the moment, I sat educates the listener who doesn’t stutter. Mason University (Go Patriots!!) in Fairfax, and chatted with this stranger whom I Beyond what is seen on television or VA , and while I didn’t continue my music would soon welcome as the third PWS in in movies, this person may have never studies, I still had those core people in my my life. As they say, the rest is history… encountered someone who stutters. life, and it was a happy four years, and Nearly one year later that man got down So anytime a person who stutters gets when I walked across that stage in May on one knee in the mud on an island off the an opportunity to talk to and share with of 2000 with my B.A. in Psychology, the coast of Ireland and asked me to be his wife. others the realities of stuttering, it is a entire world was mine for the asking. Since then I’ve left all of those odd jobs step forward for the rest of the stuttering After a 2-week graduation gift trip behind to come home and work full-time community. This healthy promotion with my older brother John across Ireland, as a housewife and homemaker. We enjoyed paves the way for public understanding. Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and our beautiful wedding day last September, a The success of the Academy Award Wales I returned home to Northern once-in-a-lifetime luxury honeymoon cruise winning film The King’s Speech has Virginia and back to ‘reality’. That reality through the , and have since created the opportunity for more public consisted of working odd jobs as everything settled into our life together. We’re building discussion regarding the lives of us who from a regional park and pool manager, our ‘home-first’ family on a foundation g

r stutter, and I believe that now is the to an Aquatics Director at a 24-hour gym, of contentment, fun, love, thankfulness, o

. time to go even deeper and to continue a general manager in an Italian restaurant generosity, and respect, and we are hoping r

e to broaden society’s awareness on what to an admin assistant at both a private, to expand that family very soon! t

t it means to be a person who stutters. Catholic graduate school and a Top 100 The past 33 years, and especially the u

t It is time for us to be proud – as people law school. The next several years rolled on past decade, have taught me not to be S and I was happy, but had no real direction. afraid. To jump head first into whatever e who stutter, we are all walking billboards, One dream that I had over the next it is that I love. To surround myself with W commercials, and slogans. . Although I may not be as funny or decade was to return to Ireland and the positive influences and ignore the negative w colorful as a talking duck or gecko, I UK . I pursued a post-graduate diploma and ones. To stand strong for what I believe in. w think I advertise just fine. I a master’s degree in Irish studies from the To let go! I w

2 NATIONAL STUTTERING ASSOCIATION Special Seat #STEVEN KAUFMAN CALL ME DJ STUTTER continued Anthony Valle, 43, is a home of the legendary “Phi Slama Jama” card or from the promotional package native Texan. They say Cougars college basketball team, and he I sent them. Advertising is a great way to everything is bigger in was applying his lessons in how to control put my stuttering out there and it greatly Texas – the scenery, his speaking through breathing and hand reduces the stress that I put on myself the mountains, the oil movements. Yet while most people know while in conversation. It reduces the fields – yet that doesn’t what they want to do in later college years, anxiety so significantly because there are include his story. All Valle ironically knew in ninth grade. no more thoughts such as “oh no, I’m the challenges that he has faced were big, “There was a police officer named about to stutter, what is my listening but at the end, he’s standing the biggest. Victor Trevino who came to my school partner going to think”. After advertising A soft-spoken resident of Houston, and talked about what it takes to be a and being open with my stuttering, I no Anthony is what we refer to as a “covert good police officer,” Valle remarked. longer have a desire to hide my stutter stutterer”, who is now transitioning into “After his presentation, I said you have a and as a result of the decreased mental being an “overt stutterer.” A father of five great job and I want to do what you do. stress, I seem to do better with my children (three girls and two boys, ranging The way he spoke was great, so genuine speech and can enjoy the conversation in age from 17 to 28) and a devoted husband and sincere.” When he was enrolled in that much more. to his wife, Tonie, his journey started out the police academy, Valle stated he would My speech is something that I deal in the first grade when he realized that he still hide his stutter. “We did the crime with every minute of every day of my life. was different. “When I was in elementary scenarios, which is where we act out via The reaction to the stereotype of stutter - school in the first grade, the teacher put role playing, and we did it in front of ers in society is the thing that makes the me in front of the class and gave me a the class. I became good at hiding it, and stuttering feel uncomfortable and out of special seat because I couldn’t talk right, people would think I was just taking my place. Walking into a coffee shop and sit - and she put me near her desk so the other time , thinking about what I wanted to ting down with a random stranger and kids couldn’t make fun of me. “Despite say.” But one of his biggest tests was about having a conversation, the first thought this, the teasing continued and as he pro - to come. that has popped into my mind on count - gressed toward fourth grade, one teacher “I worked up in dispatch and worked less occasions is “I’m stuttering hard so actually told him he should not be in class. the microphone (one time only) and there that might make him feel uncomfortable “I was reading out loud and I couldn’t say was a ‘Code One: Assault in Progress’ talking to me or even worse he might the words,” he said. “I was trying to read (lights and sirens needed). I started to think I am retarded or something”. That ahead and she turned the page and asked sweat and say I don’t want to do this, but level of pressure being put on myself is me to read it. I stuttered so badly that she I did it.” Valle is not the only officer on unbearable! What would happen if told me – in front of everybody – that I the force who stutters. “I do know there Michael Jordan thought about every per - shouldn’t be in that class. She told me to are others, but no one really talks about son’s thoughts in the arena every time he pack up my books and see my counselor. it,” he commented. These days, Anthony played a basketball game? It would have They placed me in a special education does the talking. As a member of the driven him insane and he wouldn’t have class, and my mom came and got me out.” Public Affairs section of the Houston accomplished the great things that he has! The first speech pathologist who tried Police Department, he does presentations The more I advertise my stuttering to help Anthony was Ms. Nieto, and her and he’s come , because Trevino the faster it loses any negative energy. approach was definitely interesting, to say is now the Harris County Precinct 6 It reminds me of voluntary stuttering the least. “I had to stick out my tongue Constable and he’s walking right beside in that way. If you can fake stutter with and move it side to side and up and down, him. “I asked if he remembers when he eye contact, it is really empowering. I doing a thousand repetitions. I remember was here a few years ago and he was have learned that “mind reading” and being hooked up to wires that were reading shocked and very happy for me.” Even “projecting” are presuming to know my heartbeat, and I heard my tongue was though he was interviewed by the what others think about my stuttering. described as lazy.” Yet as he entered junior Houston Chronicle, he does admit that Advertising rids me of the anxiety caused g

high school and later high school, he began finding out about the NSA and learning by mind reading. r o to evolve. “I just laughed with those who that there are people who talk like he Learning to be open about my speech . r

made fun of me, even though I was hurt does are new experiences. was a tough task. The National Stuttering e t on the inside. I didn’t have my first girl - “My message to people who stutter is Association Atlanta chapter really helps t u

friend until I was a senior, and she never don’t let it hold you back, and to be who me through times when my confidence t I S

made fun of me, which is what made me you are!” is tested in hard speaking situations. e

like her so much. All the other girls would Calling myself DJ Stutter is a way for me W . hit me on the side of the head and be like, to be open about my stuttering and w “Come on and spit it out.” Eventually,

advertise to people that I am truly not w Valle went on to the University of Houston , I afraid to stutter. w

CHANGING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WHO STUTTER 3 CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

This is just a taste of what’s to come in Fort Worth, and as you can see there’s something for everyone, from families with young children to career-driven professionals! The complete list of workshops will be available by mid-June, and workshop presenters will be notified by May 1st. #

FACILITATOR WORKSHOP/EVENT Diane Games CEU Seminar (1:00–5:00 Wednesday) Facilitating Change in the Attitudes (NSA) Meet n Greet (Wednesday) Cathy Olish First Timer’s Workshop (Thursday Morning) Mike Retzinger/Kevin Eldridge Nurture Freedom and Eliminate Fear in Stuttering Amber Snyder New technologies for Stuttering Andrew Bowers Introduction to 20 Something (NSA) Opening Reception (Thursday Night) Joel Korte The Why and the How of Voluntary Stuttering Family Programs Family Orientation (Thursday Morning) Evan Sherman 20 Something Open Mic Family Programs Transitioning to Middle School Dennis Drayna Research Symposium, Discovery of the Genetic Causes of Stuttering Andrew Ainsworth/Madison Garcia Perceptions of Stuttering: Looking Through the Eyes of People Who Don’t Stutter Lee Reeves Stuttering Self-Help: The Process of Change Andy Bowers The Iceberg Analogy of Stuttering Mara Schlimm Ormond Leading Your Life Kids Kids Open Mic Mark Irwin Stuttered Speech Syndrome: What is it, how to treat it? Panel of 20 Somethings Problems Being a 20-Something Panel Covert Stuttering Exposed! Justin Matley Starting your career with Empowerment Randall Berg Interview Skills… Help, Guidance and Motivation Hannah Laday When a Covert and a Over Marry: A learning Experience Judith Eckardt You Make the Difference: Avoid Avoiding Kids Roping Session, Letter Writing, Juggling – Texan style Dale Sander Exploring Success Rates for both traditional and Alternative Stuttering Therapies Hanan Hurwitz Key Concepts for Managing Stuttering Vivian Sisskin and panel “You Are Changed by What you Do: ’Shame-busting’ through Avoidance Reduction Therapy“ Ed Carroll Living with stuttering - by choice! A discussion opportunity for partners and spouses Maria Pemsl-Dowling Falling in Love with a person who stutters: The Joys and Challenges Joseph Klein Bringing up Stuttering Samantha Gennuso/Joel Korte Fearless Stuttering Pam Mertz I Stutter! How in the World Can I Join Toastmasters? Judith Newman Laughter Yoga, the Fun Part of Every Day Nobby Lewandowski Building Self-Confidence g

r TBA Open Microphones o .

r Morgan Drutchas The Art of Assertive Speaking e

t Saturday Evening Banquet/Dinner/Auction t

u Kids Cooking (with the hotel) t

S Kids Scavenger hunt/Obstacle course e

W Becca Liben Sibiling’s Roundtable .

w Shawn Czerwinski Teens: “Successful Stuttering“

w Dr. Irani “Chasing the Fluency Ghost: Importance of Attitude Change and Patience“ w

4 NATIONAL STUTTERING ASSOCIATION First Timers, CHAPTE RNEWS #Are You Ready? FROM BONNIE WEISS If this is your first conference, we have Dallas, Texas Journey of Stuttering.” The group lots of cool things in store for you to The Dallas Chapter celebrated their packed a lecture hall that seats 125 make sure that your experience will 29th anniversary as a chapter at their people. After Pamela’s speech, the be unforgettable! April meeting. The meeting started an group had a question and answer We are offering our annual First hour early to provide enough time for session with a panel of participants, Timers workshop on Thursday to help discussion of The King’s Speech . Lee including an SLP and her husband, acquaint you with the conference, how Reeves, who was unable to attend the who is a person who stutters. The it works, tips to make the best of your meeting, shared his appreciation to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel wrote time there and other fun stuff! Daily hundreds of people affected by stutter - an article about this event. Speed Talking workshops will allow First ing (adults, kids, teens, family mem - Timers to meet 20 –30 new people each bers, friends, student and professionals) Normal, Illinois day in a relaxed and fun environment. who have attended meetings to learn, Jean Sawyer, Chapter Leader, writes During these workshops we place two to teach, to take risks on their own that at the April 21 meeting of the rows of chairs facing each other and behalf, to empower and most of all to group, there were three people in ask participants on one side will rotate support each other along the path of attendance. They had a discussion every three minutes so you are talking their common journey. Congratulations about the upcoming Annual to someone new (just like speed dating to the Dallas Chapter!! Conference, followed by a discussion but without the dating!). There will be on avoidance. They all had a good topics for discussion at each chair to Los Angeles, CA laugh when Heather, one of their get things going and the conversations The Downtown Los Angeles Chapter members, said that if her parents tend to take on a life of their own! met on Wednesday, April 20th at Cal would have known she would stutter After the Opening Ceremony on State University. They had 17 people in on the “h” sound so much, they Thursday evening, we will offer a attendance, two of which were first never would have named her Heather! designated area in the bar for First timers. The theme of the meeting was It was a good meeting, and they will Timers to mingle with conference “Find Your Voice.” Josh Marcus, who keep working to get the word out regulars as well as places in the lobby led the meeting, had gotten a copy about their chapter. for those who prefer a quieter place of The King’s Speech on DVD from to talk. There will also be a First TWC Home Entertainment for a lucky Seattle, Washington Timers Lunch on site on Friday, which member to win. As Colin Firth portrayed The Seattle Chapter had a King’s will allow First Timers an opportunity King George VI in the beginning of Speech event on the University of to continue socializing with friends the movie, we saw some of the various Washington campus on April 21st. and make a few more new ones. speech techniques used by therapists in There were an estimated 225 people We GUARANTEE that when you that time that seemed quite extreme. in attendance. They enjoyed a lecture attend your first conference, you will The group decided that the member on stuttering research by Dr. Ludo not only have a great time, but also present who shared the most interesting Max who described some of his current learn new things about yourself and or extreme form of therapy/technique research in the field, as well as his stuttering, and make lifelong friends! they used to be fluent would win the own research. Following the lecture, So, what are you waiting for? As DVD. Many members talked about they watched The King’s Speech , gave the saying goes… attending an NSA being hypnotized, using the SpeechEasy away copies of the DVD that were conference will change your life! or The Fluency Master. Someone even given to them by the studio, and Register, reserve your room, and mentioned putting marbles in their then participated in a question and finalize those travel plans! mouth! Others shared ways they avoided answer time with a panel of experts. speaking situations. The person who Tom Scharstein of the Seattle Chapter © Fort Worth Convention & Visitor’s Bureau won the DVD shared that he had writes that the feedback from indi - g

locked himself in a dark room for viduals was all very positive. r o

hours to see if he would stutter while . r

in that situation! e t t u

Milwaukee, Wisconsin t Barb Wimpee writes that the Milwaukee S e Chapter invited Pamela Mertz from Be sure to check out ‘National W . Albany, New York to give a presentation Stuttering Association’ on Facebook w at UW-Milwaukee entitled, “A Hidden and ‘WeStutterNSA’ on Twitter today! w w

5 ODDS &ENDS FROM DAVID BLAZINA

The NSA congratulates Christine Dits PG-13, the family-friendly version of its active member of her chapter. Both on her upcoming graduation from Academy Award-winning historical drama are very excited about becoming Saint Mary’s College, located in Notre about King George VI, will open on 1,000 proud parents! Dame, Indiana. Christine was a first- screens nationwide on April 1 and will be The NSA would also like to con grat - time attendee at our conference in the only version available in theatres. One ulate Tom Gibbons , chapter leader for # Cleveland and will be receiving her of the year’s most celebrated, successful the Orlando NSAKids & TWST chapter, B.A. in Communicative Disorders this and beloved films, The King’s Speech was and his wife, Jennifer , on the upcoming summer. She will be working as a honored at the 83rd Academy Awards ® birth of their daughter. Tom is the direc - speech language assistant in the public with Oscars ® for Best Picture, Best Director, tor of the Orlando Stuttering Center, and school system and plans to attend Best Actor, and Best Original Screenplay. his wife works in real estate. graduate school in her home state. The announcement was made by TWC’s  Christine Dits President of Theatrical Distribution and Engagements The NSA would like Home Entertainment, Eric Lomis . Congratulations also to congratulate Madison The emotional impact of stuttering to member Kenyatta Nicole Garcia on her that was illuminated by the movie Butler on his recent upcoming doctorate continues to be a topic of conversation engagement to degree studies. Not only with the recent statements by Vice Elizabeth Dearth. is Madison a great friend President Joseph Biden about his Also celebrating a recent engage - to the NSA, but she also serves as coordi - struggles with stuttering. The release of ment is NSA member Justin Matley nator of the Applied Psychometrics Lab the PG-13 version offers families nation - to Erin Fitting. Justin has been creating, in the Department of Psychology at wide access to a positive story about producing, and editing videos for California State University Northridge. The stuttering and overcoming obstacles the NSA for the past 2 years. He lab focuses on the exploration of and social stigmas. and Erin are planning a September the psychological aspects of stuttering. 2012 wedding. In addition to her numerous awards in Birth Announcements The NSA also con - undergraduate studies, Madison has NSA volunteer Mike gratulates member earned her B.A. in Research-Oriented Bauer and his wife, Liz, Rebecca Tasker on her Psychology, was a former chapter leader, welcomed their new 8 recent engagement and the recipient of the 2008 Member of pound 5 ounce bundle to Daniel Solanki. the Year Award at the NSA’s conference in of joy Nathan William The couple met at Parsippany, N.J.  Madison Garcia Bauer on March 18, the York University The National Stuttering Association 2011 at 3:53am. Big campus where they both worked at would like to congratulate Stephanie sister and brother Gabriela and Wesley The Great Canadian Bagel. Lyn Nicolai on her acceptance into the are very excited about the family’s Doctorate Psychology Program newest addition. Congratulations to the Thank You, Volunteers! at Alliant International University! both of you! A big thank you goes out to all of Stephanie is a very active representative The NSA would also those who helped at various local state in the NSA, including having served on like to congratulate Aaron conferences within the past couple of the Teen Advisory Council. She is cur - and Erica Perez on their months. Your efforts are invaluable and rently serving as the chapter leader for new bundle of joy, the NSA would be lost without each and the San Diego, CA region. She and her LilyAnn, born at 10:50 pm every one of you. family are long-time supporters of the on Wednesday, April 27 Cathy Olish, Sarah D’Agostino, NSA, and her mom, Debbie Nicolai, has and coming in at 7 lb 7 oz and 20 inches. Hannah & George Laday, Becky Peters, served on the NSA’s Board of Directors. The NSA is thrilled to congratulate Marshall Mathers, Tom Scharstein,

g Holly Hubbard Nover , and her husband r She is a proud sister to Amanda Lara, Miranda Smith, Jason Faust, Pam

o Phil , on the upcoming arrival of their . who is an SLP. Stephanie has stated that Wokenberg, Adrian McAdory, Gloria r

e her stuttering is one reason she would first child, a boy. Holly is an SLP who not Klumb, Dan Koblitz, Anthony Valle, t

t like to be a therapist. We wish her all only stutters, but was Andrew Bowers, Lee & Nina Reeves, u

t the very best and look forward to seeing also recognized as a Annette Rak, Allisa Blackburn, Desirree S “Dr. Nicolai” help others in need! former SLP of the Hidalgo, Melissa Del-Rosario, Cari e Year in Florida. They Jamison, Eva Peguero, Marc Anthony, W . The King’s Speech PG-13 currently reside in Jerome Mortman, Elo Oji, James w The Weinstein Company (TWC) Jacksonville, Fla., Brinton, Noel Baichoo, Eric Salgueiro, w announced today that The King’s Speech where Holly is an and Sonya Worosz. w

6 NATIONAL STUTTERING ASSOCIATION Let Us Salute the Silence A line from John O’Donohue’s In Praise of the Earth STEPHEN GOLD

“Salute the silence,” are you kidding me? It fine.” I’d use all of the tricks of the trade, might think. It’s no longer a club to my head has always been my mortal enemy, a dagger especially silence. If you don’t open your but a tap on my shoulder that reminds me to my heart. Silence has never been my mouth there’s no fear of nothing coming out. that I don’t need to be perfect to be loved. friend. Friends don’t smash you down. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant. Avert your eyes, Looking back, it seems so childish and #They don’t scream at you, “Get out of fade into the woodwork, and act as if you immature to fight a natural instinct. A gap in here! Don’t you know you don’t belong?” didn’t hear the question. time – a silence - is not the world’s end, nor That’s what it feels like to a boy in the But we don’t live in a silent world. Sound a need to slash at one’s self-worth. Silence middle of a jagged stutter when sound gets is a necessity and it demands a response, so I’d itself is a word, not a plague or an enemy of stuck in his throat and the jerking takes need another trick. I started to think about life. It belongs in the line that stretches from over. The harder the words are pushed the the two types of bayonet’s men, the quick and birth to death. It has a place; much the same tighter the neck muscles squeeze against the the dead. That’s it! I’d just have to be quick, as a period ends a sentence, as day follows vocal chords, choking off all air. In those and jettison out as much as possible between night, or as love belongs to a broken heart. moments, which felt like eons, silence was jerks. It became a race against time, but alas, I Silence is no more a disease than blushing is not silent, at least not in my head. It blared was never quite quick enough. A grotesque a crime. True friends, I would learn, can see in my ears and slammed against my brain. stutter would always catch in my throat and beneath the flush of imperfection. It begged, please, please… beat me to the finish line. Silence is not a hole Reading was the worst. When called upon, But as we know, age and experience have It has meaning; it gives pause there was no place to hide. A sentence tor - ways of mellowing crises and softening It links words; connects man, tured, questions filled me with dread. blows. Corners round and edges blunt; wars It offers time to heal. Standing in front of a class was like death to don’t seem as relevant. Shields become bur - Silence tells the truth; my whole being, a never-ending nightmare. dens too heavy to lift. Peace becomes the It provides a time to praise the earth. An audience of even one or two would shatter objective, naps and relaxation a way of life. Silence is a breath of fresh air, and if my worth into a million jagged shards of glass. Is it gone, the stuttering? No, not com - I can remember to breathe I’ll be okay. I Some people would stare while others pletely. There’re still vestiges of its ugly head turned away, hoping their gesture would that pop up from time to time, perhaps as a P.S. You’ll all never know the pleasure, peace loosen the grip around my neck. Others reminder of who I am or more likely, who I’m and contentment I feel reading out loud in glanced to the side as if to protect them - not. Though, the reminder is not what you class. Thank you for that gift. selves from their own embarrassment at having to watch this torturous sideshow. So I stood alone enduring my silence. And Once again NSA is Named Special Recipient silence is what I’m supposed to salute? for Celebrity Golf Tournament Children, less sophisticated in the art of disguise, would look at each other and some - Gary Benjoya, Vice President of Special Kids Network in Chicago, selects chuckle. That’s what kids do, they tease NSA as a “Special Recipient” for their 11th Annual Celebrity Golf and mimic; the pecking order starts early. Tournament, being held July 25, 2011. The charity organization raises funds Find a fault and pounce on it. Shorty, fatty, for children with special needs. dummy…I recognized the call. Being fodder “I am very excited to have the NSA be a part of our charity this year as for humor was not my first choice, being dif - [its mission] touches me personally,” Gary says. “Our family became aware ferent was not my goal. Silence for me was a of NSA through Nina Reeves when Corey used to go to Nina for speech killer of spirit, an enemy of the soul. Girls? Forget it, no way. The humiliation therapy. Nina initially directed us to the NSA website to review materials was unbearable, and a risk not worth taking. and then to the National Convention in Chicago. It was at the convention It felt like punishment – God’s wrath at my where we really gained an understanding as to how stuttering impacts wanting. Yet I endured. Self-mocking families in different ways. While Corey is a very outgoing 16-year old boy, became my mantra, and a way to protect. It stuttering still impacts his day-to-day life. I am very thankful that Nina worked, at least on the outside. “It doesn’t introduced my family to the NSA and that I have been able to give some - seem to bother him,” I’d hear in whispers thing back financially through the Special Kids Network behind my back. “He seems okay with it,” (www.specialkidsnetwork.org). I am also thankful for the help that the they’d say. Really? Is that what they thought? Special Kids Network gets from Tammy and Nina every summer at our Surprise, surprise, my mask worked like Captain America’s shield to ward off the Annual Celebrity Golf and Tennis Outing. Their hard work and tremendous obvious signs of distress. The key word being dedication does not go unnoticed.” “obvious”. “It’s just a flesh wound,” I’d joke If you would like to be a part of this golf tournament, please contact to a friend’s concern. “Don’t worry, I’ll be Tammy Flores at 800-364-1677 or [email protected].

CHANGING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WHO STUTTER 7 Editor SEEING ANOTHER PERSON STUTTER continued Mandy Finstad, [email protected] Art Director and in another scene the king’s father experience empathy and compassion but Janna Carter reprimands him for his speech problem. not displace unwanted feelings onto another Assistant Editors These two scenes are examples of moments person. Attending support meetings and Bonnie Weiss that might provoke projection. establishing a tolerance for watching a David Blazina If you are a PWS, I encourage you to movie character that stutters are steps in Proofreader see the movie. The movie is a vehicle for the recovery process. In the case of a movie Eric Ketchum you to explore any negative thoughts and character faking a stutter a PWS wants to Phone realize that they are irrational – Colin Firth be able to completely separate himself from 212.944.4050 800.WeStutter (937.8888) is pretending. The winner of four Academy that actor and see that it is not real. Put Awards, The King’s Speech is a triumphant frankly, if you have a strong visceral reaction Fax 212.944.8244 movie in which a PWS faces his fear, goes to watching another person stutter, you E-mail to speech therapy, and becomes a great want to fix that. [email protected] leader with strong oratorical skills. Projection must be mighty powerful Home Page I have participated in adult group if a PWS cannot watch another person www.WeStutter.org therapy sessions and National Stuttering stutter. Because group therapy and support LETTING GO is a forum for views and Association support groups on and off groups can be so beneficial the implications information about stuttering. The opinions for the last 20 years. Countless people of projection deserve careful consideration. expressed are those of the individual have confided that they could not come I encourage SLPs and group leaders to contributors and not necessarily the opinion of the National Stuttering Association. The back to a second meeting because of foresee the risk of projection driving NSA accepts no responsibility for the accuracy their discomfort watching another person away people and doing their best to of any opinion or information provided by stutter (projection). I speak to them make all PWS comfortable. Ideas to help any contributor, nor do we endorse or reject any therapeutic strategies, programs, or confidentially after the meeting and invite increase the comfort level of new attendees devices mentioned in these pages. them to come back, explaining that it is might include: ©2011 National Stuttering Association. in their best interest to return and try • A good description of what to expect All rights reserved. again. Their refusal to face – and conquer before the meeting – projecting is toxic for them. One person • A warm thank you after the meeting who attended our support meeting admitted by the group leader PWS himself, must have resolved his own to the group that he was projecting. • A group mentor or confidant assigned projection in order to create this master- We applauded his candidness and every- to each new attendee piece. His movie presents an opportunity one reassured him that we accept him, • Emails or a call from member(s) to for pws to rally together in support and fluent or not. We cannot presume all thank new members for attendance advocacy for stuttering. The nsa’s mission adolescents or teens are ready for group • Complimentary materials from the NSA slogan is “If you stutter, you are not meetings without preparation. Several and Stuttering Foundation of America alone.” Let’s utilize the momentum from children have confided that they felt great The King’s Speech to attract more PWS unease due to projecting. As David Seidler said when he accepted into a truly safe environment – a group De-mystifying and resolving the feelings the Best Original Screenplay: “This is for of fellow PWS. I of projecting, mind reading, and dissocia- all the stutterers around the world. We have tion can allow a person who stutters to a voice. We have been heard.” Seidler, a Email: [email protected] g r o . r e t 119 W. 40th Street, 14th Floor t u New York, NY 10018 t

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