Stuttering - A Life-Altering Condition [Part 2]

Stuttering - A Life-Altering Condition [Part 1]

Is it mean to laugh at other stutterers when you also stutter?

I was listening to a video clip on YouTube where Howard Stern had hired a new guy to answer the radio show's main telephone line. This person had one of the worst stutters I've ever heard. It sounded like he was in pain. When this individual did manage to get some words out, it sounded like a balloon when you let all the air out. At some point I had to laugh because listening to this person speak was just so awkward that it became comical. Imagining this person making these facial ticks that only a severe stutterer can produce made me laugh. Knowing what I know now about stuttering and methods to help improve one's speech, I wanted to tell this person, "Will you just please stop, take a deep breath and start again!" Clearly the whole point of having this guy on the Howard Stern show is for entertainment.

I suppose the reason I laughed was because I know what its like to have a stutter. I worked so hard and endured so much ridicule from my peers, that luckily for me one day it just wasn't a problem for anymore.I learned to laugh at my stutter and managed to think of it as a giant hurdle I needed to get over. (Alternatively, I could've had severe acne or dumbo ears to deal with). Of course I still have good and bad days, but I'm able to control my stutter in a way that people are unaware I just had a moment. For many stutterers I know that its not so easy to laugh about a condition that has a profound effect on your life and just dosen't seem to want to go away even after years of therapy. Personally, I feel extremely fortunate to have only inherited a mild case of stuttering - one that could be improved with therapy and control of my breathing. If only it was this easy for everyone...