January 9 Meeting Update

We started our meeting by discussing the upcoming conference organized by the National Association for People Who Stutter, along with The Stuttering Foundation and Chapman University. It takes place on February 4 at Chapman University in Orange. It looks like an excellent opportunity to get together with other people who stutter, and it's in our neck of the woods, an extra incentive to attend. If you'd like more information, call 866-866-8335, or take a look at the conference flyer.

Next, we read an article from Six Minutes about changing our attitude and vocabulary about our speech. The article focuses on public speaking, but the suggestions it offers can very easily be applied to everyday speaking situations. Its central idea is to replace thinking about speaking as an obligation --"I have to do it"--with treating it as a privilege--"I have something important to contribute to the conversation and I'm being given the chance to do so." I know I struggle constantly with feeling that I don't have the right to say anything because the way I say it can sound "weird," so I found this article very encouraging.

Once again we discussed speaking on the phone, which is such a big challenge for many of us. Matt, our co-leader, mentioned a co-worker who keeps a small mirror on his desk by the phone so he can monitor himself as he speaks and get instant feedback about how he's doing. The co-worker doesn't stutter; he's using the mirror just to improve his general communication skills. We thought it was a rather good idea, although for people who stutter it may require a great deal of courage to look at themselves in a mirror as they speak. What do you think? Could you do it? And how useful do you think it would be?

Speaking of feedback, we'd like to know what you think about creating a buddy system in our support group. Some of us are working on specific speaking skills and would appreciate having someone to be accountable to. Others would just like someone to talk to when we come up against a speaking challenge, big or small. There's nothing like having someone who will listen to you patiently, understand exactly how you're feeling and give you solid and honest advice.

See you all at the next meeting!