Do You Stutter, Or Know Someone Who Does?

TrickPony · 12-30-2005, 11:05 AM

Hey guys... just wondering if anyone here has any personal advice or even just stories about themselves or family members/friends with serious stutters.

I have a dilemma - I have a cousin and a friend who both stutter severely. Not just on certain words or sounds - but every third word or so. It makes it difficult to talk to these two guys, because it is literally two times every sentence, and they struggle for about 2-3 second (sometimes more) before they can finally get out whatever it was they intended to say.

I don't want to seem like I don't want to talk, but sometimes it is ridiculously tedious (particularly on the phone). I always want to finish their sentences... particularly when it's just simple. Like... "Then, we went to the st...ch..stoo....stch.... store."

I am pretty patient, but I have a tendency to talk really quickly.
With my cousin, he doesn't stutter for quite as long before he talks, but with my friend it can be really trying. Any advice (maybe from parents)?Neither of these guys are really kids (18 and 22) so they have already had as much therapy as will ever be helpful.

I guess I'm just frustrated - it's hard to see the people you love struggle with such basic communication.

Jess! · 12-30-2005, 11:07 AM

I talk quickly too. However, youi CANNOT finish their senetences for them, as that is a very, very quick way to crush their confidence/self esteem.

I talk very very fast. Sometimes, though, I get caught on a word, and it takes me about two seconds to get it out. I get very annoyed and embarassed when someone finishes my senteces for me, or makes fun of me.

When I meet someone who stutters, I just talk to them like a normal person, even if I'm in a hurry and impatient, like I tend to be.

Elia · 12-30-2005, 11:07 AM

The girl who reads the announcements at my school stutters.

She's pretty nice, though, but she gets a lot of... "She's such a lazy talker" comments behind her back....

Me, I add "uh.." to the end of almost every sentence...haha...

So I'll be like, "No..uh......" hhahaha. So my dad'll be like, "Noah....?" LoL

MyBabyTex · 12-30-2005, 11:11 AM

I'd take the extra 30 seconds and just hear them out. In the long run, it's not really that much of a chore. And they probably really appreciate it.

Lately, I've actually been slurring my words and jumbling them up which causes me to stutter. It is really embarassing. And I do NOT embarass easily, but messing up simple conversations is hugely embarassing. So I really feel for these people with speech impediments.

TrickPony · 12-30-2005, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyBabyTex

I'd take the extra 30 seconds and just hear them out. In the long run, it's not really that much of a chore. And they probably really appreciate it.

Lately, I've actually been slurring my words and jumbling them up which causes me to stutter. It is really embarassing. And I do NOT embarass easily, but messing up simple conversations is hugely embarassing. So I really feel for these people with speech impediments.

I do hear them out (I never actually finish their sentences - just tempting)but what do you do when someone stutters for more than 10-15 seconds at a time? Should I keep looking at them, or sortof look down? (Not wanting to stare - but not wanting to appear un-interested?)
I guess I just want to be the most sensitive friend/cousin I can be, I would never, ever want to demean or hurt either of them.

MyBabyTex · 12-30-2005, 11:20 AM

No, I know what you mean. I had a friend who was a very bad stutterer. I just kept looking at him and made a point of keeping my face as it was before he began stuttering. If I was smiling, continue smiling. Eyebrows perked, keep them perked.

And I know that when I fumble my words my friend always corrects me and I don't really mind. Makes it easier on me!!!

12-30-2005, 11:05 AM	#1
TrickPony Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado Posts: 2,691 Images: 242 Blog Entries: 23	Do You Stutter, Or Know Someone Who Does? Hey guys... just wondering if anyone here has any personal advice or even just stories about themselves or family members/friends with serious stutters. I have a dilemma - I have a cousin and a friend who both stutter severely. Not just on certain words or sounds - but every third word or so. It makes it difficult to talk to these two guys, because it is literally two times every sentence, and they struggle for about 2-3 second (sometimes more) before they can finally get out whatever it was they intended to say. I don't want to seem like I don't want to talk, but sometimes it is ridiculously tedious (particularly on the phone). I always want to finish their sentences... particularly when it's just simple. Like... "Then, we went to the st...ch..stoo....stch.... store." I am pretty patient, but I have a tendency to talk really quickly. With my cousin, he doesn't stutter for quite as long before he talks, but with my friend it can be really trying. Any advice (maybe from parents)?Neither of these guys are really kids (18 and 22) so they have already had as much therapy as will ever be helpful. I guess I'm just frustrated - it's hard to see the people you love struggle with such basic communication. __________________ "I do what I please and I do it with ease." I've been booed!

12-30-2005, 11:07 AM	#2
Jess! Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 11,327 Images: 76	I talk quickly too. However, youi CANNOT finish their senetences for them, as that is a very, very quick way to crush their confidence/self esteem. I talk very very fast. Sometimes, though, I get caught on a word, and it takes me about two seconds to get it out. I get very annoyed and embarassed when someone finishes my senteces for me, or makes fun of me. When I meet someone who stutters, I just talk to them like a normal person, even if I'm in a hurry and impatient, like I tend to be. __________________ (¯`·._¤ Jess!·._¤ ´¯) ♥ Haute Couture Arabians♥ Purebred and Half Arabian Endurance Horses

12-30-2005, 11:07 AM	#3
Elia Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Earth, of course. Posts: 307 Blog Entries: 16	The girl who reads the announcements at my school stutters. She's pretty nice, though, but she gets a lot of... "She's such a lazy talker" comments behind her back.... Me, I add "uh.." to the end of almost every sentence...haha... So I'll be like, "No..uh......" hhahaha. So my dad'll be like, "Noah....?" LoL __________________ "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain." ~Maya Angelou

12-30-2005, 11:11 AM	#4
MyBabyTex Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 3,199 Images: 66	I'd take the extra 30 seconds and just hear them out. In the long run, it's not really that much of a chore. And they probably really appreciate it. Lately, I've actually been slurring my words and jumbling them up which causes me to stutter. It is really embarassing. And I do NOT embarass easily, but messing up simple conversations is hugely embarassing. So I really feel for these people with speech impediments.

12-30-2005, 11:20 AM	#6
MyBabyTex Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 3,199 Images: 66	No, I know what you mean. I had a friend who was a very bad stutterer. I just kept looking at him and made a point of keeping my face as it was before he began stuttering. If I was smiling, continue smiling. Eyebrows perked, keep them perked. And I know that when I fumble my words my friend always corrects me and I don't really mind. Makes it easier on me!!!