“Kids Who Stutter” Shared For Louis
Posted on: October 24, 2010
- In: Posts
- 15 Comments
I was honored to get an email from a reader of the Covert-S email group asking permission to share the article I wrote about kids who stutter on her blog. Liana shared that she does not stutter, but has friends who do, so she subscribes to several of the stuttering lists to learn more about stuttering.
How great is that? She wants to understand more about stuttering so she can better support her friends. So she asked me if she could re-post my story on her blog – Liana’s Place – A Blog About Life, Lies, Laughter and Love. Of course, I gave permission. Great to have more potential readers. And greater that she asked for permission. Lots of people on the internet just pilfer other people’s content without permission nor do they give credit.
Of course, I checked out Liana’s blog, and found it to be a wonderful place. Liana is a published author who has won awards for her romance novels. But she does more important work by writing and blogging the story of a friend’s faith journey.
She writes weekly about her friend Louis. He was a covert stutterer for a long time, but now stutters openly. Liana shared with me that my published story reminded her of things that Louis had shared with her about his stuttering. Liana’s writes on Fridays about Louis and gratitude and inspiration.
I am honored to be featured as a guest on Liana’s blog today, Sunday October 24, 2010. Talking about stuttering anywhere gets the word out and raises awareness. Thanks Liana and please say hello to your friend Louis for me!
Addendum: I have included some comments that I received directly from readers of the TU article, and also some comments from Liana’s blog, from readers who don’t stutter (with her permission of course).
15 Responses to "“Kids Who Stutter” Shared For Louis"
October 24, 2010 at 6:10 PM
Can I post your letter on my blog? I will wait for your permission. It brought back memories (not great ones). It depicts the turmoil a child can go through.
October 24, 2010 at 6:18 PM
Sure Lori, please do. It was partly my story and partly what I have learned listening to kids who stutter. I want people to know this, and feel the impact. I wondered what I could do this year to celebrate ISAD, as I had already done a radio interview in May. I thought about it, and this came pouring out. I sent it to my local paper and was SO pleased they thought it important enough to publish it. I sent it in on a Thursday and it was printed the following Thursday. Please link my blog to your post, thats all I ask! I hope some of your kids and parents get something from it.
October 25, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Sad that I didn’t even hear about International Stuttering Day.
I just read a novel where the heroine grew up with a stutter and still does as an adult when she’s nervous: Lake News by Barbara Delinsky.
I do understand, even if I don’t stutter, because social phobia is much the same, with the heart racing and red face and the stares and the inability to talk clearly when you get called on. It’s a whole different thing than just being shy and people don’t understand that, either.
Thanks for this post! The more awareness, the better.
October 25, 2010 at 10:34 AM
I didn’t know there was a International Stuttering Day. It’s one of those things I just don’t think about in my daily life because I don’t know anyone who stutters.
But it’s easy to understand the fear that comes with it.
As a listener, if someone stutters what should we do? Help them out? Wait until they finish?
October 25, 2010 at 10:35 AM
Any affliction a child has makes him a target for teasing or downright bullying. I have a male cousin who is only a few years younger than I. He stuttered as a child well into his teens, but outgrew it–or stopped, anyway. He had a twin sister who was born second, severely brain-damaged and crippled, and partially blind. (She died recently at age 65.) He always tried to protect her, even though she never left the house. I wonder if his stuttering would have happened had his sister been perfect? I’m only speculating.
Thanks for the enlightenment. Celia
October 25, 2010 at 10:36 AM
Great post. I have a son who stutters. He sees the speech therapist at school and has found some help in that. I don’t know if anybody teases him or not, but I think he’s only aware of it because the people at school have noticed and commented on it. We’ve always just waited for him to finish. Thanks for a great post
October 25, 2010 at 10:36 AM
This post brought me to tears. Not only for the cruelty endured by the poor child but because it reminded me of my favorite uncle (God rest his soul). He ended up dropping out of school because of a teacher who persisted in mocking him in front of the class. Now, this was over 50 years ago. So, the insensitive teacher would force my dear uncle to stand in the center of the class until he could “figure out” what he wanted to say. My uncle was an extremely intelligent and sensitive man, who despite this teacher, became a successful businessman. So be patient with those who stutter – they just might teach you a thing or two.
October 25, 2010 at 10:38 AM
Recently husband and I went to a barbecue at the home of one of the men he has done Tai Chi with for years. The wife stutters. At first I thought she was just nervous in front of all of us guests that she didn’t know, but as the evening wore on it became obvious that she doesn’t always stutter, but often enough for it to be noticeable. But we were all adults and no one ever tried to interrupt her or say her words for her. I admire anyone who has been able to overcome such a public difficulty. My husband and oldest son both are dyslexic, but neither was diagnosed in school. Both taught themselves how to cope, and both have jobs involving numbers (husband is an engineer!) We all have our crosses to bear, and no one deserves to be made fun of.
October 25, 2010 at 10:40 AM
What a great article! I had a professor at Notre Dame in the 1950’s who had a stutter, and always admired him for carrying on. I hope that your piece will have some effect.
October 25, 2010 at 10:41 AM
Hi Pamela,
I just wanted to write to let you know I really could relate when reading your stuttering column. I have a son who stutters, but he had extensive therapy & now only has occasional slip ups. He’s 24 but I remember him coming home crying when the boys in the neighborhood teased him. I actually talked with the parents of these children to let them know & to educate them about this condition.
I have 3 nephews who stutter, one quite severe. He’s known as “Stuttering Steve”. My dad also had a problem stuttering & he would tell us stories about having to stand up in college to give presentations & how awful it was. My heart goes out to anyone who is afflicted with this condition. Fortunately, my son & nephews are well liked & have used humor to help them cope. But the school years were still painful with the teasing.
Getting children into therapy is a must. I had to drive my son to Northwestern University(we lived in Chicago at the time) 3 times a week for his therapy. It was worth every inconvenience. When we moved here, we found a wonderful program at St. Rose.
As a teacher’s aide in an elementary school & a parent of a stutterer, I’m always watchful for bullying & teasing. Thank you for drawing attention to this subject.
Sincerely,
Teresa
October 25, 2010 at 10:43 AM
Dear Pamela,
Your article in the Times Union was great. I stutter (less now than in High School) and so does my 12-year old son. It broke my heart when he first started stuttering. It’s still painful to watch his struggle since I know EXACTLY what he is going through.
Hope a cure (or better techniques of therapy) will be found someday.
Thanks, and best regards,
D P
October 25, 2010 at 3:19 PM
My brother’s college roommate stuttered. This young man always seemed to have lots of friend’s around him. No one seemed to pay much attention to his stutter, them seem very accepting. Maybe the efforts of those who have tried to raise awareness are paying off. I also worked with a young man who stuttered. He was also a big guy, and 6’6″. If the other kids had picked on him, he probably would have kicked their butts, but I don’t know. He never mentioned school.
October 26, 2010 at 6:08 PM
Hello, I personally loved this article because I can relate to it immensely. I had that same situation happen to me at school during the middle school and high school years, where you have to say “here” it can be very nervewracking. I would just raise my hand anyway because I knew that I would struggle on the h especially. 🙂
November 2, 2010 at 11:50 PM
hi there, this is my first time i go to here. I discovered so many attention-grabbing in your weblog especially on the way to decide the topic. keep up the awfullwork.
Make Room For The Stuttering 
October 24, 2010 at 4:49 PM
Hi, Pamela,
Thanks so much for coming to guest on my blog today! I’ll print this out and send it to Louis to pass on your hello!
Be blessed,
Liana