Eradicate stuttering
This was a conversation that I had with a speech therapist when I aged fifteen:
Me: I am looking for a way to overcome my stutter. I have had this speech impediment since the
age of four and I am desperate to achieve fluency.
Speech therapist: I can help you in various ways, such as with your breathing; however there is
no known cure a stutter.
Me: So you are telling me that there is not a person in the world who has managed to eradicate
their stutter?
Speech therapist: Well I can not be sure of that but the experts have stated that there is not
a cure for stuttering.
Me: So how come I can talk to myself without any problems at all? I can also sing without the
slightest hint of a stutter, I am perfectly fluent in these situations. Surely there must be something in this.
Speech therapist: I understand what you are saying however our stance is that it would be
better to accept the stutter and to find ways to improve your overall fluency rather than to focus on a cure.
Me: For me that is just far too negative. By thinking in this way means that you are accepting
second best in life, this is something that is wrong in my and my family’s opinion. There is no way that I will
ever accept that I will have this stutter for the rest of my life.
Speech therapist: I like your fighting attitude however fear that this whole speech impediment
and your quest for fluency could take over your whole life.
Me: The stutter has already taken over my life; it is on the forefront of my mind each and
every minute of the day. Even when I go to bed I am unable to stop thinking about it. I respect your honesty in
confirming that you can not provide me with the answers that I am looking for however I would hope that in the
future speech therapists will start to look for a cure for stuttering rather than accepting it.
Speech therapist: I wish you every success; you certainly have the right attitude. I hope that
you are successful in finding your stuttering cure.
Me: Thank you
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