Pune SHG meet

Hi All,

We will be meeting at the below address on coming Sunday ie. 02/08/2009, from 15:00 hrs to as long as it takes J

Senior citizen’s hall.

Opposite Anil Ambani Reliance Communications.

Dhole patil road. Pune

The agenda:

1. Some physical excercises, breathing and relaxation techniques.

2. Slow reading.

3. Speak on a topic (“What you did this week” or “About your Job” or “Any experience you want to share” or Any other thing you are interested in).

4. Question answer round. (optional)

5. Impromptu speech.(optional)

6. Group discussions.(optional)

Looking forward to meeting you all…

Many thanks

Manohar

An amazing meeting in Delhi

We just had an amazing meeting in Akshardham temple and then near metro station..
Kishore, Anuj, Nishant, Nitin, Sikandar, Kshitij, sachin.. they all appeared, as if by magic, one by one, out of this mass of humnaity.. smiled and greeted each other.. Talked of various things..And after about two hours, they parted. Issue of "Teasing" came up during discussions. Teasing is often born out of ignorance. When we allow it to hurt us, then the real problem begins.. There is a need to chnage our consciousness and also for some self -assertion.. Yes, we talked about a lot of things. Amazing!

Chennai chimes..

The monthly meet of TISA Chennai was held on 26.07.09.In the meeting 8 PWS and
mother of a new member participated.Two new members namely Mr.S and
Mr.SP joined. S is a software engineer and SP, a MBA
graduate. SP and his mother Mrs.K came all the way from Vijyawada to
attend this meeting. Mr.MANIMARAN the founder co- ordinator missed the meeting
first time due to illness. Sivasubramanian briefed about the Chennai chapter
inception and activities. Except SP, all others spoke about their progress
and the usefulness of the group meeting. Finally SP shed his shyness and
spoke about himself. Ramesh, an ex stammer spoke about the hypnotic method of
overcoming the stammering. Sivasubramanian explained the 14 exercise identified
by Mr.Manimaran and gave a hard copy to the newcomer. After refreshment the
meeting came to a close well beyond the scheduled closing time of 7
pm.
Sivasubramanian.
Asst coordinator.
Chennai-TISA

(Siva- great job! Congratulations from all of us in TISA! sachin)

Pune Weekend Meet

Pune SHG have found a new place and are having their regular weekend meet at the below mentioned address on sundays at 3 pm.

Senior citizen’s hall. (also known as Desai Hall)
Opposite Reliance web world.
Dhole patil road. Pune

Living simply

I thought America has produced only adventurers, entrepreneurs, generals, actors, Bill Gates, Bushes etc. But they have someone like our sadhus too. Very interesting. There is hope for America, now! Check this article:
http://men.style.com/details/features/landing?id=content_9817

Yet another website?

Friends

The 'official' TISA website is up and functioning. Before you say- yet another? Let us discuss.

By the most conservative estimate there are about 10 million IPWS. Make just a rough guess- how many forums and websites do you think will be needed to serve all their needs, for information, participation and inclusion? 1, 5, 10 or 100? Considering the diversity and other constraints- I guess, even a thousand may not be enough to reach out to all the 10 million, EVEN if they had uninterrupted access to web.

In connection with voluntary agencies, some one once asked Gandhi ji a similar question and his reply surprised the audience: The development of India will not be complete till every village becomes a voluntary agency! (ie, the task is too big and important to be left in the hand of just 100 or even 1000 voluntary agencies).

In other words, if the websites are sincere and relevant, larger the number, better for the IPWS. One more website might just get you angry enough to write an indignant post at the new forum! Thus helping you to come out of your comfort zone. One more website might just reach out to that one young man (or young woman) who has been able to successfully avoid all the websites and forums trying to reach out.. Even one such soul will justify all the efforts- from TISA point of view.

Now, existing arrangements do not change: Those of us who have been interacting at Yahoo IPWS and this blog - should continue doing that. The new website has a link to both, right on the front page.

Those of you, who are more adventurous are welcome to register and start posting their stammering related events (SHG meetings, Cross SHG visits and start posting their stammering related events (SHG meetings, Cross SHG visits, etc) on the calendar (“Meeting Schedules” in Main menu) and their questions about therapy or anything related to speech (and even beyond, to life in general) in the forum itself.

Our goal is to develop a useful resource section, which is available for browsing to anyone with out registration. It is like our window on to the world. The six SHG coordinators (Chennai, Mumbai, Surat, Pune, Delhi and Dehradun) should take advantage of posting their SHG meeting information on the website, since this would help a chance visitor and us, to get the composite picture at one place. But if you can not and wish to announce these through sachin or TISA blog- fine. Sachin will repost it for you.

So, let us take one small step at a time; we have covered a lot of ground already- since April 2008 meeting in Mumbai. Let me close with a link, submitted by Gopal (Pune). It is about how WE define and shape our world. It is called 90:10 principle. It is very relevant to our speech as well.

http://www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2006/principle-90-10-p1.php

37 $ - The magic figure!

Oh, I have found another one promising to cure, mine your stutter under 9 (nine) minutes for just 37 US dollars!! How kind! Check this one out- and you will start seeing a pattern!
http://www.tostopstuttering.com/

Click the link at bottom "Stop stuttering info" and you get following nugget buried in a lot of s**t:

"..This excellent stuttering therapy has a comprehensive video and manual where a person can easily follow. Unlike other sessions requiring you to go through the difficulty of understanding what it truly meant and asked of you, the stuttering annihilation technique lets you experience a different way of overcoming stuttering through easy to follow guidelines and steps.

Finally, this stuttering therapy does not call for expensive and steep therapy sessions, you can be treated and start to lead a normal life for only $37 dollars, no more no less..."

Read this post in conjunction with following two posts:
http://t-tisa.blogspot.com/2009/07/if-you-are-young-and-desperate.html
http://t-tisa.blogspot.com/2009/07/kill-kill-your-stutter.html

Moral of the story: think before you click; donate your money to OXFAM or the beggar on the road or the child wanting to buy a kite..

If you are young and desperate..

(Fool and his money soon part company!)

I can easily recall the desperation with which I wanted to get rid of my stammering when I was young. My speech appeared to be the only barrier between me and all the good, life offered. But there are others too who are aware of this desperation. Especially the “sellers of cure”. They would do anything to get at your money. Here is a list of the tricks that they would use either on web or through other traditional media:

1. Offer a quick “cure” (sometime under ten minutes!)- not a long term approach to manage over all communication, related attitude and emotions etc.

2. They would offer a cure which can be practiced in the privacy of your home; you dont need to go out and talk to strangers! ( One wishes life could be spent that way alone!)

3. They would often start with an emotional tear jerker: What have I not been through, because of my stammering! After suffering for 25 years, I have developed this cure (or wrote this wonderful book), which I am offering for only 37 US dollars! Etc. etc.

4. They would often claim their cure to be backed by latest scientific research – but would mention no verifiable report, journal or evidence.

5. They will claim that thousands have benefited from their stammering cure, bu will give no verifiable email Ids or phone numbers to cross check..

6. They would never offer follow up, because their 'cure' will cure your stammer once for all!

7. Some of the bold swindlers will also offer a guaranteed money back scheme!

8. They may also build pressure on you with the use of such clauses: Only 37 US dollars till 21^st July. Hurry! One such website offers commission of 25% for first five clients you refer to them!

9. They would never display any endorsements from respected Stammering associations like BSA, NSA or TISA.

10. For example look at this website: http://www.killyourstutter.com/

It offers a quick cure for stutter on home page. When you visit their Affilitae page (link at bottom) you see “Affiliates Earn 65% Commission!! ($37 x 0.65 = $24.05 PER SALE!)” and you discover that it is only a digital book that shows you how to stop anxiety & panic attacks (along with phobias, compulsions, stress) in 10 minutes or less! Would you like to spend Rs 1800 for a digital book (not even a good old paper book) of this kind?

But, some of us, will go ahead and do it all the same! Why? Because we are desperate for a 'cure'. If you have done it, dont feel bad. We all learn by experience. You can still do some good by telling others and warning them over internet or in a self help group.

Web Power

I want to share the following incidents to this blog.
On Tuesday at 11.30 AM, I received a call form one gentle man from Trivandrum (Kerala),came to Chennai today morning for an official work. As the work was over he wanted to meet me. He stuttered mildly. I asked him to come to my office. He came to my ofice at 4 PM and introduced himself. Thro' web he came to know about this group existance. He was born in Chennai but now settled in Kerala.He is having one daughter of 10 years old. His daughter was speaking well until 8 yrs and started stuttering from 9 yrs onwards. I have given some advices which he happily agreed to follow.
The other one is, last Sunday I received a call from a mother of 22 yrs old stammering man from Vijayawada and told that she came to know about this group thro' web and wanted to participate in the next Chennai chapter meeting. I requested her to come for the next meeting which is to be held on 24.07.2009.
I posted the above incidents to know about the power of web in these days.
Regards,
V. Manimaran
Mobile: 098842 89989

Kill "Kill your stutter"

The website mentioned above is an insult to the intelligence and common sense of people who stutter. Plain and simple. It is also an insult to people responsible for maintaining ethics and objectivity in advertising. This is worst kind of Internet based swindling operation.
This site talks about scientific research but offers no details. Talks about thousands of cured clients but gives no email ID or phone number to cross check. Here is a quote hidden on a secondary page:

"The "Kill Your Stutter™ Program" is a digital book (price $37.00) that shows you how to stop anxiety & panic attacks (along with phobias, compulsions, stress) in 10 minutes or less.

Our Anxiety program consists of high quality content and illustrations written by professional writers in collaboration with experienced professionals that specialise in natural anxiety treatments."

It also offers commission to you if you get them five suckers (fools)!

"We will Increase Your commission by 25% for your first 5 sales.
You will earn a whopping commission of 65% per sale by just referring this book to those people that want to heal their anxiety, while at the same time they will thank you for helping them to achieve their goal."

Is there an IT whizkid who can hack this site and put up something less outrageous? and more useful?

First mind then body..

What we are doing in TISA is after all not so strange if you check out this article..
http://www.expresshealthcaremgmt.com/200907/strategy02.shtml
Among other things, note the high role given to peer to peer counseling and dealing with mind even before they deal with body..
This link was sent by JP (you know which..)

John's Interveiw

Those of you who have seen Unspeakable, this interview might be interesting..
http://punktv.ca/news/105/ARTICLE/2596/2007-05-29.html

DAF software

Some friends at Pune wanted to learn about DAF. Here is a link. This can be installed on a laptop or desktop (windows) and used with headphones and a microphone to practice. The versions which you can use with a PDA or a cellphone will cost money. I suggest, first use this free version on laptop or table top and then spend money if you like it..
http://myweb.uiowa.edu/rarenas/

Chennai meets..

Dear friends,
Mr.Arunachalam has arranged for a meeting at the same YWCA mini conference hall
on coming Sunday ie on 12th July from 4 PM to 7 PM. Please attend and get
benefited.

Regards,
V. Manimaran
Mobile: 098842 89989

What is in a Name??? Final Day of the workshop in Pune

Today, on the second day of workshop some new faces were there, who were not able to make it on the first day due to personal engagements. The day started with a movie- Courage to speak. Since adults rarely talk about stammering, a lot of suffering of children who stutter, gets brushed under the carpet. But in this movie a little girl, Carolina decides to talk & share her experiences through this documentary. The story begins when Carolina in spite of her severe stutter, decides to participate in the annual debate in Canada. She does it, because she wants to highlight the struggle she was passing through. Role of Society, Family, teachers & other children are explored with great sensitivity & honesty. After the documentary participants share their thoughts on two counts- 1. What memories did the movie bring back? 2.Does Carolina teaches us something to be practiced in our own lives?

Many participants saw a lot of similarities in their childhood experiences in India & what CAROLINA faced in Canada. The movie brought back many emotional moments to the mind of audience & there were many moist eyes. We also felt that courage was the only solution to the problem we were faced with. Gopal gave a presentation about Pune SHG, the beginnings, issues faced, short & long term goals etc. After a break we started with an energiser "Nani Pani". Later we played a participatory game, emphasizing the role of active listing, innner silence & total receptivity during communication.

Then next exercise was about speaking with a relaxed bounce, maintaining eye contact & with a gentle smile on face. After tea we played the "name game", uttering our names with a bounce & smile. Then we noticed that many of us were trying hard not to stutter! So, our next round was that of "Voluntary stuttering" on our names. The challenge was to stutter on our names differently in every round. This put our imagination and creativiy to severe test. But we all performed well. Some of us, started voluntarily and suddenly slipped into a natural stutter! But finally a point came when we all felt quite comfortable with our stuttering ON OUR NAMES.

Next step was to practice saying our names with a gentle bounce and, again with a prolongation.
In between, we watched video clips- Sssstutter and Transcending Stuttering. We talked about Phil Schneider's comment: What hurts us is not our stammering- What hurts is being 'different'. Why do we have to fit in? Why cant we accept that we are different and be at peace with ourselves?

Finally, we shared some web resources, discussed short term plans and dispersed.
Some of the important targets emergings for the group were:
1. We should start within our own job environment, conducting sensitisation sessions etc.
2. Start to work with children who stammer in local schools.
3. Developing our knowledge base about this ill-understood health condition
4. Client reviews of various therapies available in the country.
5. TISA-PUNE should bring out a news letter

It was 7.30 pm by the time we dispersed- but with a great sense of achievement and that "we are not alone in our struggle". We also thanked sincerely the IT firm in Hinjewadi and we are hopeful more and more organisations will take up this cause in the larger interest of their staff, who may be suffering from this health condition.

We want to thank Ms Savita Kulkarni, who enriched the workshop with her insights and inputs, as a person, who does not stammer but empathises with and works for people who are 'different'.

If you have any questions feel free to contact:
Jai Prakash Sunda (09271205627)
s-s-sachin (09412058272)

(I felt so happy that I want to come again and again to Pune! Is any body reading?- sachin)

TISA Pune Workshop - Day 1

Today we met in the well appointed conference hall of an IT firm at Hinjewadi Pune. In spite of all the running around and flurry of emails, we wondered if ten people will get together to watch a movie on stammering. We were sweetly surprised when about 20 people turned up- including three women. Stammering is a communication problem which affects about 1-2% population any where. Women are affected less often compared to men, in a ratio of 1 to 4. Pune self help group started under TISA aegis about an year ago. The Indian stammering association (TISA) started in April 2008 as a self help movement of Indian people who stammer (PWS). The today's (4th July 2009) workshop was organised by Pune chapter of TISA to consolidate the gains so far, generate interest and awareness on an issue which affects academics, career choices and growth, relationships and other aspects of life.
We started with the screening of a movie – Unspeakable. Many participants related to the movie instantly as it brought back strong memories of difficulties faced as children, adolescents and now as adults. This Canadian documentary interweaves stories of men, women and children who stammer against the backdrop of an ongoing search for cause and cure for a baffling neurological disorder. The participants shared their feelings and reactions after the movie. This set the ball rolling and everyone was soon sharing personal stories of struggle, search for understanding and a determination to come on top of the problem. The organiser, a IT professional, shared : In trying to organise this event, I have done what I would never do: I went out on a limb, talked to strangers and even superiors – refused to take 'no' for an answer, took risks, made many phone calls- I feel I have gained in three days more than I would have gained in one whole year of speech therapy. I have changed deeply at the level of attitude and self-concept... Many of my colleagues were surprised: a workshop on Dandruff or Acne would be OK but a workshop on stammering?..Some people even inquired: what is stammering?
Dr Sachin from TISA discussed technical aspects of stammering. There were lot of questions and answers. There were some participants who did not stammer but had come to learn about it and help others. A video clip of an Interview of Ms Julia Irani was shared. Julia heads Pakistan stammering association. The group played interactive games as well as practiced some speech techniques. Finally the group realised that in spite of differences in their background, education and career they had remarkable similarities in life experiences because of their stammering. As stammering is a social disorder, the recovery too had to be a social process. They concluded with a decision to continue to help each other through the self help group and to continue to work on their communication, having accepted their stammer. We will meet tomorrow again.

Onward TISA soldiers!

I have landed safely in Pune. Was picked up by Gopal and JP for a long ride..to Hinjewadi.
While JP dealt with last minute checks and rechecks.. I prepared a synopsis of the movie (Unspeakable).. Responded to emails.. Gopal dropped in, in the evening; He had made slides, to which JP and I contributed our thoughts.
By the way- it rained off and on- and the weather has become so nice. A perfect climate to stutter!
Oh, it is infectious. No, not the stutter, but the enthusiasm generated by our team..

Pune Chalo!

If you are in Pune or in the vicinity on 4th and 5th July- feel free to get in touch with JP (9271205627) or sachin (09412058272) and drop in for a movie show and an open session for discussion on stammering (and lots more)..And if you cant, for some reason, never mind. Keep checking this space for the the news and updates..

Pune SHG get together 4- 5th July

The venue for the Pune Self Help Group get together on 4th and 5th July 2009 is an Information Technology firm at Rajiv Gandhi IT Park, phase - 1, Hinjewadi, Pune. Call me for details and registrations.

There has been slight modification in the agenda. Now the movies are not on a single day but one movie per day.

This is the Agenda:

4^th July:
>10 am to 1 pm: Screening of "Unspeakable" - a movie on stammering made by John Paskievich, a PWS in Canada. It will be followed by analysis, discussion and explanation by Sachin. Followed by an Q&A session

>4pm to 7 pm: Sachin will be available for free personal consultation (specific techniques and counseling).

>5^th July:
>10 am - 1 pm: Screening of “Speaking of Courage” a movie about stammering among children, followed by analysis and discussion. Followed by an Q&A session

>4pm to 7 pm: Personal consultation and organizational discussion with Coordinator and those who are interested in a long term involvement with TISA and Pune SHG. Followed by interaction with media.

J P Sunda

9271205627