Take a deep breath and..

I received this advice so often as a child that a time came when I would answer through just a grunt or a nod. I refused to talk. Not because it was a huge effort for me, (which it was) but simply because I could see that adults could not cope with my bumpy speech! So I became a mute by choice for about six months or so. I was taken to a doctor who did lot of tests, gave me many pills! All the time I wanted to say- Just listen to me patiently and dont crinkle your face!

(Pawan, 14 yrs)

There was a girl in my class, older than me. She loved watching me stutter. During recess, she will corner me in some part of ground- and repeatedly ask me what my name was; Those days I found saying my name very very difficult. It would take many minutes and my face will twitch all over. And this girl will just keep on laughing. One day, in sheer desperation I kicked at her shin. When teacher asked, I could not explain anything. The teacher caned my hands. That day I lost faith in authority.

(Kamal, 12 yrs)

The first day in the new class was full of joy and fear: joy, because I loved getting the new text books and fear because every teacher will ask us to stand up and say our names. Some time the bell will ring before my turn came. One time I just left the class on the pretext of going to toilet and returned only after the bell rang. I still remember, after all these years, the strange look other children gave me when I returned...

(Bimal, 22 yrs)

I was a bit of show off – I guess like children at that age. So, like other children, I too wanted to get up, when my turn came and read the Hindi passage in the class. But the teacher, would say- “no, no, you sit down. You have the trouble reading. Please sit down.” Actually, I know, it was his own trouble watching me stammering- that was the real reason.

(Vijay, 16 yrs)

My father even today does not understand my stammering. He thinks I do it on purpose or through just carelessness. The last speech therapist also said- if she tries hard she can stop stammering! My father had paid him Rs 20,000 for the course. I used to feel very guilty: I had wasted hard earned money of my father and am still stammering. I used to go to bed praying. Nothing happened. I wish I could just talk about these things with someone who will understand.

(Vinita, 17 yrs)

First time I was teased about my speech, I abused that boy. I was reported and caned. Next time, when the same boy mocked me, imitating my stammer, I punched him, just outside the gate. Now, I have a reputation. They mock me behind my back, never to my face.

(Jamal, 14 yrs)

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Dear Children

Ok. You have bumpy speech. What is the big deal? I too have a bumpy speech. All my colleagues at TISA have bumpy speech! Yes, we get stuck on words. But not for ever. We carry on and do many interesting things through the day. You too can do the same. Here is how:

1. Talk about your difficulties with a friend, teacher, older brother or sister or adult you trust. Sharing your probelms lightens your heart and you feel better.

2. If you cant talk, write it down on a paper and post it to us- like the children above. (TISA c/o Dr Srivastava, Hospital Road, Herbertpur, Dehradun)

3. Make friends with other children who face difficulties- bumpy speech, use hearing aid or have difficulty walking.

4. Dont fight 'it' when you feel it coming. Stammering becomes big when you fight it. Read these two stories- or get a friend to read it to you: http://www.mnsu.edu/dept/comdis/ISAD3/papers/jeremybook/jeremy1.html
http://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/kuster/kids/boo/page1.html

5. If your parents want to know why you speak the way you do, or how they could help, encourage them to check this page:
http://www.stammering.org/parents_info.html

6. If your teachers are worth their salt, they should check this page as 'ongoing education':
http://www.stammering.org/teachers_info.html

7. If you are a big child- a teenager, you may want to read this page:
http://www.stammering.org/teens_info.html

8. You can contact us to come and talk to your class and your teachers about stammering.

9. Last, keep on talking and keep on smiling.

We are trying to develop this section meant for children & teenagers. We want your stories.

Write to us at this address:

TISA

c/o Dr Satyendra Srivastava
478/1, Eden Bagh  Herbertpur
DEHRADUN, Uttaranchal, INDIA
Ph 91-1360-250600
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