Learning to Stutter From: Michelle Graber Date: 04 Oct 2004 Time: 00:35:42 -0500 Remote Name: 24.177.99.1 Comments There is one particular portion of this paper that I'd like to comment on. It begins during the hitchhiking story, when Van Riper is trying to say his name and where he needs to go to. The farmer begins to laugh, which angers Van Riper until he learns that the farmer was also a PWS. Is this type of situation common among PWS? I am referring to a type of situation where the PWS is angered by a reaction from a listener and then comes to find out that the listener is also a PWS and can relate to the speaker's feelings Re: Learning to Stutter From: Date: 08 Oct 2004 Time: 11:03:26 -0500 Remote Name: 128.138.174.126 Comments I always enjoyed Dr. Van's hitch hiker story. Although I think those of us who stutterer can develop comradery and understanding with another person we meet who stutters, I do think it is more unusual that another stutterer would laugh as an introduction to the fact he was/is a stutterer. That experience turned out to be very positive for Dr. Van in the long run, but the laughter may have been tolerable to him because it came from a very elderly man as oppossed to someone his age. In addition, the man's laughter was followed by wisdom and understanding. Van Riper Article From: Gail Leger, Graduate Student Southern University Date: 07 Oct 2004 Time: 08:55:48 -0500 Remote Name: 209.215.150.254 Comments I have been a speech pathologist for 22 years, I have always found Van Riper to have great insight into stuttering. His story about being picked up by while hitchhiking gave me a greater insight into the man I have heard about for so many years. I really enjoyed it and respect him. Van Riper Article From: Shelby--Graduate Student --University of Memphis Date: 11 Oct 2004 Time: 20:31:45 -0500 Remote Name: 141.225.97.216 Comments In so many areas of my life and things I have experienced older people always have a wise way of looking at situations. Older individuals undersatnd that there are so many things in life that should not hold us back--or bog us down. This story is added proof to this fact. I am currently enrolled in a fluency disorders class, and this story digs deep into the truth of stuttering therapy. Stuttering therapy's sole purpose is not to make the individual stop stuttering, but rather stutter fluently. By stuttering fluently and not being afraid of the disorder individuals can truly begin to see success from the therapy. I never knew! From: Renee Matherne, Southern Univeristy Date: 17 Oct 2004 Time: 20:25:37 -0500 Remote Name: 70.177.52.205 Comments The name Van Riper is well known in the field of SLP. I have many articles and text written by this amazing man. However, I never read this amazing story about his life. This story touches my heart and adds to the respect that I already possessed for this man. It is nice to know a personal side of his life. Renee' Matherne Van Riper Essay From: Ali Walker Date: 18 Oct 2004 Time: 12:50:53 -0500 Remote Name: 140.160.23.145 Comments What an eloquent, insightful essay! A Message from Charles Van Riper From: Jessica Liggett Date: 19 Oct 2004 Time: 16:35:32 -0500 Remote Name: 24.165.210.159 Comments I really admire the idea behind this article by Charles Van Riper. I am currently enorolled in a fluency disorers class where we are constantly asked to stutter. I believe the best way to relate to a person who stutters is to show them that you care enough to attempt to stutter also. I may never know what is really feels like to lose control as a result of stuttering, but I can put myself in similar situations so that I can relate to the person who stutters. Charles Van Riper provided very significant insight into stuttering, and provided valuable information for students beginning their studies about stuttering. Re: A Message From Charles Van Riper From: Wilma J. Pastrana Graduate Student Date: 19 Oct 2004 Time: 22:51:53 -0500 Remote Name: 152.163.100.134 Comments We may not always have a choice as to whether or not we will stutter, but we always have a choice as to how we are going to stutter, (Charles Van Riper).This significant point was made once again in his story when he stated, learn how to stutter! Dr. Van Riper From: Josh Holloman, University of Memphis Date: 20 Oct 2004 Time: 21:25:45 -0500 Remote Name: 172.151.115.210 Comments I have been a stutterer all my life, but I have just recently begun to understand what it is to be a stutterer. Mush like Dr. Van Riper, my early years were spent avoiding situations and keeping myself from the frontlines of conversational speaking. As I grew up, I accepted that I stuttered but still avoided certain speaking situations. I am currently in therapy at my Grad School (I am also a student)and I have learned that I can control my stuttering. Much like Van Riper's epiphany, I was filled with excitement when I started modifying my stuttering to make it more controllable. Most importantly, it has given me a new willingness to put myself into situations that I would have never dared to go before. The fear of stuttering has been replaced with a newfound courage to stutter. Van Riper Article comment From: Lisa Pogue, student Date: 21 Oct 2004 Time: 15:45:41 -0500 Remote Name: 140.160.65.37 Comments I am currently enrolled in a Fluency Disorders class and really enjoyed this message from Van Riper. Not having much previous experience with or knowledge of stuttering, I feel that this piece shows the personal side of stuttering. The story of how one individual struggled with it and became motivated to overcome it is very motivating- hearing a story like this makes me excited to work with people who stutter! Van Riper Article From: Ayana Detweiler, University of Memphis Date: 21 Oct 2004 Time: 22:54:53 -0500 Remote Name: 141.225.225.45 Comments I do not stutter and I have a hard time understanding the feeling of embarassment that PWS have. I have heard a moment of stuttering compared to that moment where you lose control of your car on an icy road. I have been in that situation myself and I was scared, so I understand that fear associated with a moment of stuttering, but where does the embarassment come from? Dr. Van Riper talks about his stuttering being "grotesque" and that he needed to make it "more tolerable to others". I am a first year graduate student and I have very limited exposure to stuttering. When I see a person trapped in a moment of stuttering I do not feel that it is in any way intolerable, and I don't see it as grotesque. I feel a sense of anxiety on behalf of the speaker who is trying to get the words out and just can't. Where does the sense of embarassment come from? it seems so logical From: Amy Hess - graduate student, CUNY Queens College Date: 22 Oct 2004 Time: 12:36:53 -0500 Remote Name: 149.4.47.37 Comments First of all, reading this article brings new meaning to the name so many of us have heard of in classes. It's fascinating to hear the story behind the name, and bring a new perspective to the ideas Van Riper has given to the field. Also, Van Riper's eventual response to his own stuttering seems so logical, though it seems to me from past experiences to be one of the last things so many think of. To that end, I also feel that his message is yet another example of how people need to find their own way to deal with issues in their lives. What works for one most certainly does not work for all, and that lesson must be carried into our work with those who stutter. It does not seem to me to be logical to force fluency on an individual, without regard to the idea that they may be most fluent when stuttering better. I feel that messages such as Van Riper's must be considered in helping a client to find the path that best meets their needs. THANK YOU ALL From: Judy Kuster Date: 23 Oct 2004 Time: 13:06:21 -0500 Remote Name: 134.29.30.89 Comments Thank you all for the thoughtful comments about Van Riper's timeless message. Judy Kuster The threaded discussion is now closed From: Judy Kuster Date: 23 Oct 2004 Time: 13:07:06 -0500 Remote Name: 134.29.30.89 Comments The live, threaded discussion part of the 2004 ISAD online conference is now closed. The conference paper and responses made here during the conference will remain online. Thank you for stopping by. Judy Kuster