"Stuttering: The Rest of the Story."

I read the article titled, “Stuttering: The Rest of the Story”, by Bobby L. Childers II. The article described Bobby’s personal experience dealing with his stuttering, or “lack of speech”, as he liked to call it. He discussed how his early experiences with speech therapy were unsuccessful. Bobby had no friends and thought of himself as a “loner.” He found it “easier not to talk to anyone” and existed this way well into his forties. He graduated high school and then decided to attend community college. He dropped out of college because he couldn’t handle talking to people. Bobby sought jobs that allowed him to speak minimally and have little outside interaction with people. Bobby finally went back to speech therapy classes when he attended college for the second time in the year 2000. A college professor suggested that he go to the speech and hearing center on campus. On Bobby’s first visit he felt the student SLP changed his whole perspective on his stuttering. He explained how she treated him “like a real person.” With the student SLP’s help, Bobby was able to give his first public speech since grade school. The student SLP that Bobby worked with provided him with “real world” experiences that helped him confront his stuttering. For example, they ordered food together and he talked with people that he tried to avoid. Bobby suggests to all SLP’s that you treat your clients as friends and try to provide them with many real world experiences. I felt his story was a positive message for graduate student SLP’s on how you can make a huge difference in someone’s life. Just by being real and genuine towards your clients you can help them feel good about themselves.
I would recommend any graduate SLP read this article to realize the life changing effect that we can have on people. I was so moved by this article and it was written from the heart.
The question I asked Bobby was: Dear Bobby- Reading your article confirmed why I decided to go into Speech as a profession. I was so touched by your kind words regarding Graduate Students working with people who stutter. I have one question for you. Do you ever wish that you had your positive experience working with a graduate student earlier in your life? I only wished that you did so you didn't keep living in shame about your stuttering. Don't you feel like you have missed out on so many years? Thank you again for commending how graduate student SLP's affect people who stutter in a positive, life-changing way!
Bobby’s response to my question: Rachel: Hindsight is always 20-20, and wishing that something in your past had been different is of no practical use. I’m not really sure that I missed out on much growing up. My stuttering only increased my natural tendencies to be left alone, it did not cause it. I’ve probably used my stuttering as an excuse for my “lone-wolf” attitude much more than I should have. I will admit that when I was younger, especially in my teenage years, I was ashamed of my speech, but now it’s more frustration at not being able to convey what I want to say. Frustration is the reason I took up writing because when I write I don’t stutter and I can then express myself. I just very, very seldom ever let anyone read what I wrote because it allows people see a part of me that I have tried to keep “out of sight” for years. I do hope though that other people who stutter have the opportunity to work with graduate SLP students. The students are always so eager to try out their new skills and test their knowledge that it tends to infect the client with the same optimism. I know a couple of times with my student SLP’s I had the urge to place a large heavy rock on their heads to keep them from bouncing out of their chairs. Their enthusiasm carried over into me and changed my attitude towards my speech for the better. If I could make a wish and it be granted, it would be that all PWS’s have the chance to work with students at least for a while. Both parties benefit because the client gets to see themselves through the student’s eyes and the student get insight as to how a PWS’s mind considers their stuttering. I am very grateful for the student SLP’s that helped me, and I hope that I was able to help them in their careers just a little bit.