How Suttering Affects My Life

Like I have said in my first posting, stuttering didn't really bother me
when I was young. But now, it is more noticeable, and is causing more
problems for me.

One annoying problem is that I have trouble saying polite things like
"thank you," and "sorry." I fear that people might think I don't know
my manners. Talking to unknown people is hard for me so I let my
parents answer the phone most of the time ... and I don't like asking for
directions. But when I have to talk to other people, I always tell them
that I stutter first. That makes it much more comfortable for me to talk.

In school, my stuttering is a bit worse than at home. There are some
kids who tease me about my stuttering, and some who think I have
mental problems. But most people in middle school are like that, and I
should care much about them. In class, we do a lot of oral presentations,
and very recently, I have started to like doing that. Although I stutter,
I have been making great presentation in class. Because of that, some
people think I am very smart.

How Do I Deal With My Stuttering

I have been going to speech class in school since first grade, and
started attending therapy outside school towards the end of 2004.
My therapists have certainly gave me useful advice and helped me
improve my speech a lot.

First, you should keep track of all those tricks you do to get out of a
block, like jerking your head backwards. To do that, you should talk in
front of a mirror and maintain eye contact with yourself. Try to avoid
those tricks because they will only make your stuttering worse later
on.

Reading aloud is very useful. When you read, write down the word that
you get stuck win an how you got stuck with them (example: tongue
jammed on top of the mouth). My therapist told me to do it so I can track
down the word I get stuck on but it has also cured my stuttering when I
read aloud!

One of the most useful techniques to improve your speech is to
PROLONG the words, and sounds that you get stuck on and
release the pressure. This has been helping me a great deal!

And finally, it is very important to reduce the fear when talking.
Telling your listener that you stutter helps you do this.

Actors and Actresses Who Stuttered

Other than historical figures, there are also movie stars in the past and
at present, who stuttered when they were young. Those who are no
longer living are Raymond Massy, Marilyn Monroe, and Marion Davies.

This week's top Box office hit movie is 'Spin City' (details see in 2Movie)
and Bruce Willis is in the leading role. Did you know that this fine actor
of so many movies like "Unbreakable", "Die Hard", and "The Kid" was a
stutterer too and so also his brother?

Have you ever seen a commercial from "Verizon Wireless"? Well, James
Earl Jones is in most of them. He also did the voice of "Darth Vader" in
the "Star Wars" movies. Sam Neil from "Jurassic Park" also Stuttered.

Some other stutterers from Show Business include, John Stossel, Jimmy
Stewart, and Anthony Quinn.

These great people performed so well with their dialogues and acting
and didn't let their stuttering get in the way. I shouldn't let it either!

Historical People Who Stuttered

There were many famous people in the past who stuttered at some
point of their lives. The earliest one I know is the Hebrew prophet
Moses!! So if any religious people tease you about your stuttering,
mention that to them;-) Claudius, one Of the most kind hearted Roman emperors,
there was, also stuttered

Have you ever read the classic fables of Aesop? Do you know that
Aesop was a stutterer too? And if you love science, the man who is
known as the greatest scientist of all time, who invented calculus,
the reflecting telescope and the Law of Gravity, whose name is
Isaac Newton, stuttered too!! So did Charles Darwin, who came
up with the theory of evolution and got ideas from his stuttering
Grandpa, Erasmus Darwin.
If you read about the great Second World War, you probably know
who Winston Churchill is. Even though he had the problem of
stuttering, he learned to deal with it and made many inspiring
speeches in Great Britain when he was prime minister.

What I Heard What Causes Stuttering

There are many theories and guesses on what causes stuttering.
But no one is certain. Some experts think there may be different
causes for different people. One thing we know is that children who
stutter are no more likely to have psychological problems than
children who do not stutter. In general, there is no reason to believe
that emotional trauma causes stuttering people who don't
know much about the subject think it is associated with brain
damage, the part that controls your speech. But no, after careful
testing, there has not been any sign of stuttering caused by brain
damage.

There are other theories mostly based on neurology and
neuropsychiatry. Scientists now think stutterers have problems in
the timing and contractions of the muscles used in human speech.
Also, there can be problems with nerves receiving and sending
information from the brain to the speech muscles. Other possible
conditions that may cause stuttering are the ways people talk to a
child, the rate of language development, and life stresses.

Hi! I am a Stutterer

I was born on November 10th 1992. My stuttering started when I was
five years old. I have had this disorder for 7 years. Now I am 12, and
am starting this blog.

When I was younger, (9 and below) my stuttering didn't really bother
me. Instead, it gave me the advantage of having an excuse not to read
aloud in class and make oral presentations etc. Also, when people made
fun of me, they scarcely mentioned my stuttering. But as I got older, my
stuttering increased and ironically now I want to make oral presentations
in class especially in science. When I talk to people I have trouble and
they think I am mentally challenged or something like that. But the truth
is, there are many bright people out there that stutter or stuttered,
like Issac Newton.

Now I am working hard to solve my stuttering problem. I hope you
enjoy my blog:)