<font color="white">...is International Stuttering Awareness Day. I would like to use this day to make you aware of how unconsciously most of you use one of humanity's great gifts - speech. I would like you to spend a moment to dwell on the 60 million stutterers in the world for whom speech has always been accompanied by the niggling fear of stuttering, who have fought long battles against their problem, sometimes to win - often to lose. Stuttering is not the worst problem there is in the world, but it is very frustrating. Most of you take communication for granted, while for many stutterers speaking is a torture, to be avoided at all costs. Even for those of us who try not to let our disability affect our lives, it is too easy to sometimes say nothing when you could have contributed something, to let the telephone ring instead of answering it, not to speak to a stranger instead of starting a conversation. Ignorance of many people regarding stuttering does not help the problem. Opinions like "stutterers are less intelligent than other people" http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/noncgi/smiles/mad.gif and "stuttering is contagious" http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...s/rolleyes.gif make life harder for we who try to combat our problem, try not to let it influence our decisions and actions. These are several links on which you will find more information about the problem, I ask that you look at them - if only for a moment, while you have nothing to do. The time will not be wasted.
www.nsastutter.org
www.stutteringhomepage.com
www.stuttersfa.com
Famous people who stutter (the list is long!): www.d.umn.edu/~trandol1/laura.htm
I do not say this only for me, but for all stutterers who have had their life made difficult by the ignorance of people who do not stutter. I hope to change that, even if the change is small.
Thank you for your attention.</font>
*steps off soapbox*

<H6>BTW, it's midnight here so it is already the 22nd.</H6>

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[This message has been edited by Kaz (edited 10-21-2001).]

I agree Kaz! We take so many things for granted. Imagine if you had that problem how painful and difficult it would be...

[This message has been edited by Avatar (edited 10-21-2001).]

*ahem* I DO. That's one of the reasons I posted this.

I agree with you completely
Luckily, for all those stutterers (and everybody else) we use keyboards here. No problems with communication at the Ironworks, thanks to Ziroc's great mind http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...miles/wink.gif

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and plunged burning into the heart of a great wolf-chieftain.
All the others fled. -J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
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[This message has been edited by Legolas the Elven Archer (edited 10-21-2001).]

huh? yeesss.. errr what are you talking about? http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...iles/frown.gif

yes, i agree! speech is such a beautiful thing to have, and shoudlnt be taken for granted. i too have a speech condition, it doesnt have a name yet as it only affects a few people. anyone who has a speech empediment has to work harder, and i think this is a great point! ive never heard those opinions though, but im sure theyre actual opinions of what people think (almost botched that last sentence!). and i'll check out those links as soon as i have time (which is now http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...iles/smile.gif)

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It's simple. Once the Planet is hurt, it gathers Spirit Energy to heal the injury. The amount of energy gathered depends on the size of the injury...What would happen if there was an injury that threatened the very life of the Planet? Think how much energy would be gathered! Ha, ha, ha. And at the center of that injury, wil be me. All that boundless energy will be mine. By merging with the energy of the Planet, I will be come a new life form, a new existence. Melding with the Planet, I will cease to exist as I am now. Only to be reborn as a 'God' to rule over every living soul.

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What are you saying? Are you trying to tell me you have feelings now? Ha, ha, ha... Stop acting as if you're sad. And there's no need to act as if you're angry either. Because, Cloud, you are... a puppet.

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Stalking the woodlands,
the Lioness in my sight,
warm feelings doth come,
into my lonely heart

Hmm, I stutter a little from time to time, but that's mainly because I'm a chatterbox and sometimes stumble over my own enthousiasm to tell something... http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...miles/wink.gif

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Not a member of any clan and is cool with that. http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/No...les/tongue.gif
Talk about anything you want at The Elysium..
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A well known occurance. Two years ago there was a girl in my class who couldn't talk fast enough to keep up with her own thoughts. We couldn't get a word in either http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...les/tongue.gif

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The last arrow of Legolas kindled in the air as it flew,
and plunged burning into the heart of a great wolf-chieftain.
All the others fled. -J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
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ROFL!! http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no.../1orglaugh.gif http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no.../1orglaugh.gif

Kaz, I honestly can't believe that there are people nowadays who think stuttering is contagious (I mean, come ON!) or a sign of stupidity, but I agree we often take it for granted that we can speak freely, and I think it's great there's an International Awareness day for it!! http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no.../xyxthumbs.gif



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Melusine, Sultry Elflet,
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Your voice is ambrosia
Amy Brown Fantasy Art

However, stuttering as a speech problem is something different. Symptoms are - when you get nervous you stutter more, problems with certain letters (for instance vowels with me), and - above all - pressure build-up. A stutterer cannot get out of a block easily, he or she builds up pressure in the vocal chords, chest, and - sometimes - in limbs, face, eyelids etc. Almost all stutterers (me included) make strange grimaces while stuttering, squeeze our eyes shut, wave our hands spasmatically, tilt our head back, etc. This is one of the side-effects of stuttering.

I pretty sure that isn't amusing, especially in the context of this post, unless you're saying he does it purposely to be funny?!?!?!

Mel Tillis made a singing/movie career out of making people laugh "with him" through exaggerating his impediment(I don't know how those who are thusly afflicted feel about even this), but if your saying it's funny because he's this big, tough guy who can't speak clearly....

I hope I read this wrong. If I did I'll remove this post, if not maybe.....

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"The Martyr" (excerpt)

There is sobbing of the strong,
And a pall upon the land;
But the People in their weeping
Bare the iron hand:
Beware the People weeping
When they bare the iron hand.

--Herman Melville (written after the assasination of President Abraham Lincoln)

http://www.wizardrealm.com/images/rb.gif

I quote this article, written by a stutterer:
You have got to admit, this takes the cake.

it certainly does...that is absolutely f*ckin incredible!! How can people be so stupid???


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Melusine, Sultry Elflet,
High Queen of Fluffies,
Archbabe of the OHF,
LH, HADB and ORT!
http://www.angelfire.com/anime2/memnoch/mel1.gif
Your voice is ambrosia
Amy Brown Fantasy Art

I have no idea - no I don't WANT to know. I laughed when I read this too - I mean, come ON! Contagious???

Many stutterers are very shy and stutter more when speaking in front of a group of people. I have trouble forcing myself to speak in class too, and I stutter much more than I do normally. If your friend only stutters mildly, it probably only surfaces during class or other situations in which he's very stressed.

BTW, must go bed now. Would you all do me a favor and keep this bumped for the rest of today (or tomorrow for the Americans?)
Bye! http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...iles/wavey.gif

okay then, goodnight Kaz! and happy stuttering day, i think...

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It's simple. Once the Planet is hurt, it gathers Spirit Energy to heal the injury. The amount of energy gathered depends on the size of the injury...What would happen if there was an injury that threatened the very life of the Planet? Think how much energy would be gathered! Ha, ha, ha. And at the center of that injury, wil be me. All that boundless energy will be mine. By merging with the energy of the Planet, I will be come a new life form, a new existence. Melding with the Planet, I will cease to exist as I am now. Only to be reborn as a 'God' to rule over every living soul.

http://www.angelfire.com/games3/impg...phforsiteb.gif
What are you saying? Are you trying to tell me you have feelings now? Ha, ha, ha... Stop acting as if you're sad. And there's no need to act as if you're angry either. Because, Cloud, you are... a puppet.

Shadow Dragon of the DotW
Super Sephiroth, slayer of the Uber Fluffy, and battle co-ordionator and defender of the HADB clan.
Follower of the mighty Fallen Paladin himself.
Diplomacy is all and well, but HADB is better!
Head of the IronWorks Intelligence Division
Official Soup Server and bumper of Cloudy's Cafe
Possessor of the Aerie Diamond Head from the ALSB.
Page in the Court of Lady Lioness

Stalking the woodlands,
the Lioness in my sight,
warm feelings doth come,
into my lonely heart

I grew up with an aunt who still stutters. She is 6 years older than me and used to play with me quite often when I was a child. I was always the only one who did NOT make fun of her when she stuttered. I have very little patience for people who make fun of stutterers.

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"I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."
-Robert McCloskey
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Quote:

Originally posted by Kaz: I do not say this only for me, but for all stutterers who have had their life made difficult by the ignorance of people who do not stutter. I hope to change that, even if the change is small. Thank you for your attention. *steps off soapbox* <H6>BTW, it's midnight here so it is already the 22nd.</H6>

I had a severe stutter that left me nearly mute outside my family unit between the ages 5 and 11, when speech therapy became successful. One thing I've learned is be patient when communicating with a person who stutters. While speech therapy healed me nearly completly, some people do not respond to it as well, or not at all. Stutterers are people too and deserve our consideration. Teach your kids that because some kids are the meanest of them all to people with speech impediments, at least they were to this one. As an Adult I have regained my self esteem and I recognize its importance in overcoming adversity.

[This message has been edited by G'kar (edited 10-21-2001).]

[This message has been edited by G'kar (edited 10-22-2001).]

What the hell happend to my font?

Well, Kaz....Happy Stutterer's Day!!! http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...iles/smile.gif You hopefully won't run in to MUCH of that 'wrong' type of attitude. I work with someone who stutters and we all go out of our way to be polite to him and let him take his time saying what he wants. He stutters much less if he doesn't feel we're rushing him. http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...iles/smile.gif

I, too, cannot abide people who make fun of people with speech impediments. I 'suffer' from the deplorable act of stumbling over my words and/or jumbling them together when I speak. It embarrasses me sometimes, as I'm "so intelligent". I get going so fast, that I stumble or mix up my words. Then, I can't get the right words out to save my life. I just laugh it off in front of people, but it's very frustrating. I also stutter from time-to-time. Is 'occasional stuttering' an actual condition or am I just weird? http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...iles/smile.gif

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Hopeless Romantic *sigh*

LOL! Looks like something didn't get 'turned off' from your quote. http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...iles/smile.gif

Edit: Yep! You are missing the first [ b ] signifier as well as the < font color = white > (no spaces)

[This message has been edited by DragonMage (edited 10-21-2001).]

<font color="white">Kaz...you are actually the only diagnosed person I know of.
I have never really known anyone in person with this hardship.
I am glad for this because when kids are in school, they can be mean...and I am afraid that I would have been one of those people to have laughed...
but I am older, and now a parent, and things are put into new perspectives for me.
I would be ashamed to associate myself with you, had I been a taunter.
Luckily, I was not given the opportunity to make that horrible choice.</font>


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Aisukuríimu ga tabetái desu.

Thank you for reminding me. The speech pathology professor in the Speech Comm. dept. at Montana State U. is partially deaf, and one of the projects he started was called the 'Theatre of Silence' - a performance troupe of mostly deaf/mute students who toured internationally on several grants and fundraising. By any chance, have you heard of them?
During this week, the dept. head would have one meeting that was in NOTHING but sign language. People were bugging poor Jack and his senior students to distraction the week before, brushing up on our neglected ASL. LOL - long time ago - thanx for the happy memories your post recalled for me.http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no.../xyxthumbs.gif

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Re-re-really? T-t-t-time t-to g-g-go a-a-around s-s-s-s-peaking l-l-like th-th-this th-th-then. http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...les/tongue.gif http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...es/biggrin.gif

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No-Name Face

Uh I think I posted before reading the whole thread..No offence intended in my last post to anyone here with a speech impediment of course..err..

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No-Name Face

I will pointedly ignore Lifetime's first post in this thread.
BUMP

I used to stutter for a long time, but fortunatly there is a therapy here.
You can be cured permanently in the Del Ferro institute in Amsterdam. Its the only place in the world so i guess im pretty lucky to be Dutch.
Its very expensive and it requires a huge amount of willpower. But Kaz, i know what your going through and maybe you should consider this. And hey, if you want to talk about it, my email is available. I have never known anyone who stuttered and luckily i had a very nice class and friends so it didnt really matter that much but i can imagine how awfull it is to some people.

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[This message has been edited by Dreamer128 (edited 10-22-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Dreamer128 (edited 10-22-2001).]

I've never known anyone who stuttered, except for a cousin of mine who stutters a bit sometimes when he tries to speak fast.

Um... Dreamer128, could you tell me more about that therapy?
Because in my experience and in what I have learned about stuttering, there currently is no way to "cure" stuttering. There are numerous therapies that allow you to speak more fluently (I am an avid supporter of the Van Riper method, for instance) but even if you manage to reduce your stuttering to almost 0, you are still talking using a technique. It also requires a strong amount of willpower (I have tried several techniques, among others the Pull-Out technique. It worked very well, but - I didn't practice enough and after a while I "crashed" back into my normal speech).
And to anybody who talks about hypnotism - please. All the experts I have read agree on this - hypnotism works very very well short-term, but not at all long-term. If you know somebody who disagrees with this, please tell me. And another thing about hypnotism - its claims that it can "permanently cure" stuttering do NOT help the image of stutterers, as they then sometimes have to deal with remarks like "Why haven't you done the [Insert name here] therapy yet? In that case, it's your own fault you stutter" (exaggerated to make my point).
Also, to you who enquired, it is perfectly normal to stutter occasionally. Everybody stutters up to (I think) 2% of the words or so. If you stutter on more than 2% of the words and - IMPORTANT MENTIONED THIS IN OTHER THREAD - you experience pressure build-up, only in the vocal cords in the early stages but later spreading to chest, face, arms, hands etc. - you should go see a doctor, you are probably a stutterer. I think normal stutterers stutter between 2% and 20% of the time, the worst I met had - seriously - over 50% when he was nervous.
Any more information wanted? I think this is all on the sites I posted, as well.

Bump

I only have personal testimony and memories of recieving speech therapy on this topic, and a great respect for speech therapists, one of whom helped me learn how to speak.

I Am a former stutter who could not finish a sentence. Word after word and the first sylable to the second of each one I stuttered. As soon as my impediment became obvious, I began speech therapy at the age of six.
After four years of public school therapy, I recieved FREE comprehensive therapy at the University of Louisianna, considered to be a top school in the field, at least here in the U.S. It took less than a year at LSU for my stutter to become remarkably self-corrective. Speech therapy enabled me to stop stuttering the moment I hear myself begin to do it. So now if I am speaking and I begin to stutter, I can pause and restate with out even trying. I also recall doing breathing exercises as part of my therapy. Unfortunatly speech therapy cannot correct all stutters and impediments, because some of them are caused by nerve damage of some sort. Because of a deadly fever as an infant, I suffered minor brain damage in the speech center of my brain, which manifest as a stutter upon the development of my language skills.

I did not know, until I saw this thread that there was such an international day for people who stutter. http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...iles/smile.gif