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From: Maggie Mitchell
Date: 10/6/03
Time: 10:36:47 AM
Remote Name: 24.197.202.60
I must say as a comment to Steve, as a student who did NOT know him back then I really do understand the value and the worth of hearing Van Riper speak. As a graduate student I have heard and read many of Van Riper's theories but to actually get to listen to him speak on stuttering is truly amazing. My thanks to Anders and Judy Kuster for making this experience possible. It is also through people like you Anders, and you Steve that make it easy for us new kids to appreciate those that have gone before us.
Thank Anders for sharing this wonderful interview and how Van Riper has affect you in a positive way. I think the quote you included "don't do what I do, do what you do" is very valuable. As a person who stuttered, Van Riper had his own tricks and methods to make his speech more fluent, but as a therapist he also knew what worked for him may not work for someone else. It is so valuable for students to hear him speak about the issues he faced everyday. I think it is also valuable for people who stutter to listen to him and realize that their stutter isn't a weight that will not allow them to do great things... many people who stutter do great and excellent things! One of my favorite quotes, and I don't know who said it is "pain is inevitable, misery is optional".
Thanks for sharing your story!!!