My friend Hetal from Surat, has sent this very interesting link about active listening... We need to really work on this- may be even more than on our speech..
http://www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/ActiveListening.htm
March 31, 2009
March 30, 2009
Chennai Report
Dear Friends,
The Chennai chapter has completed a course for adults stammerers after 9th
weekly meeting on 29.03.2009. I wanted to share my experience in this course
with this group. The following observations are made from this adult group
experience only and not from any thing else..
Group strength.
Generally 10 pws attended weekly meetings apart from our TISA- Chennai chapter core group members. 7 pws are below 25 years old and the remaining are in the 40s. 1 pws came from Vellore which is 110 km from Chennai. Another one came from Mahabalipuram which is 60 km away.
Performance
The 7 pws under 25s have done exceptionally well. The other 3 are also trying
hard to improve their performance..
Feed back from pws
All the pws has informed that they got over from fear and shame and not minding to speak with stammering. Thanks to Dr.Sachin, who is again and again stressing this point of accepting first our stammering whole heartily.
Outstanding PWS
One pws working as soft ware professional has always having the habit of going
late for a group discussion seminar to avoid telling his name. Now he is  going
regularly in time and telling his name. Also heuse to  avoid taking sessions to
his colleges. But last week he took a session which ran to …..hold your breath
… 2 hours. Hats off to him.
Best Therapy
Speaking with simple sentences ( about 5 or 6 words in each sentence) with a 2
or 3 sec pause from one sentence to another is the best what we found out.. The PWSs are always in the habit of speaking continuously using so many unnecessary words without any meanings.. This therapy is very effective to all.
Future course of action
We are going to conduct monthly meetings from April 09 onwards in the last
Sunday of every month for which we have booked the YWCA conference hall up to end of this year. This will also act as a contact center for Chennai chapter. We are also going to conduct programme for school children in June’2009. Then we are planning to arrange again an all India TISA meet under Dr.Sachin on 24th Jan’2010 inviting press and TV reporters. On that occasion, we are planning to show to them atleast 5 adult + 5 students who over come their  stammering. Here what I mean is 95% normal speech is called ‘overcoming stammering’.
My Confidence level
Here I wish to say about my confidence level for the benefit of other chapter
coordinators. Actually I started this weekly course fully  depended on Mr.
Sivasuramanian’s teaching skill as I never took class in my life. Because of
his only daughter arrival from UK, he is unable to come for the first 3
meetings. Ist meeting I managed with a help of Dr.Sachin. For the next meet, I
spent a entire Saturday and ½ a day in Sunday for how to conduct the meeting.Â
some how I managed the second class. But believe me, for the last 3 classes I
never spend a minute for how to take class. It is coming fluently. As I only
prepared all the lesions, I only used to take class for the lesion part.
Mr.Sivasubramanian, usually talks about psychological part. I think, I will
overcome my stammering (ofcourse 95%) before August’2009. So great benefit to the Coordinators.
Special Feature of this course
As stammering is mostly related to mind, we devoted 90% of the course time to
psychological part and 10% only to for therapy as many adults are unwilling to
change their speaking pattern.. But we have to watch the results.
Acknowledgement.
In this connection, I wish to thank all those who contributed one way or another
to make this event as a big successes.
The PWSs who attended our course regularly.
YWCA management who provided accommodation and behaved in a dignified manner
throughout yhe course period.
Dr.Sachin. ( Don’t want to elaborate).
TISA core group members Mr.Sivasubramanian, Mr.Vishal & Mr. Hasssanad, as
without their continuous support, we should not come to this level.
Mr.Balasubramanian form Madurai as his speech on 24th Jan boosted the Chennai chapter image.
Of course our press particularly “Thinathathi†and “Tamizhan TVâ€as
without their support, the 24th event might have been a low key affair.
All our friends who helped for this cause.
Last but not least, to my wife and to Sivasubramanian’s wife for tolerating us and allowing to attend for the Sunday meetings, because, both are working
women  and holiday on Sundays only.
ALL ENDS WELL. THANKS ONCE AGAIN TO ONE AND ALL.
Bye for now.
Regards,
V. Manimaran
Mobile: 098842 89989
(Ed. I am really very sorry for not being able to edit out those funny machine characters which slip in when you try to copy and paste.. But anyone can see what a wonderful job Chennai group has done - and the steady coordination provided by Mani! Thank you sir!)
The Chennai chapter has completed a course for adults stammerers after 9th
weekly meeting on 29.03.2009. I wanted to share my experience in this course
with this group. The following observations are made from this adult group
experience only and not from any thing else..
Group strength.
Generally 10 pws attended weekly meetings apart from our TISA- Chennai chapter core group members. 7 pws are below 25 years old and the remaining are in the 40s. 1 pws came from Vellore which is 110 km from Chennai. Another one came from Mahabalipuram which is 60 km away.
Performance
The 7 pws under 25s have done exceptionally well. The other 3 are also trying
hard to improve their performance..
Feed back from pws
All the pws has informed that they got over from fear and shame and not minding to speak with stammering. Thanks to Dr.Sachin, who is again and again stressing this point of accepting first our stammering whole heartily.
Outstanding PWS
One pws working as soft ware professional has always having the habit of going
late for a group discussion seminar to avoid telling his name. Now he is  going
regularly in time and telling his name. Also heuse to  avoid taking sessions to
his colleges. But last week he took a session which ran to …..hold your breath
… 2 hours. Hats off to him.
Best Therapy
Speaking with simple sentences ( about 5 or 6 words in each sentence) with a 2
or 3 sec pause from one sentence to another is the best what we found out.. The PWSs are always in the habit of speaking continuously using so many unnecessary words without any meanings.. This therapy is very effective to all.
Future course of action
We are going to conduct monthly meetings from April 09 onwards in the last
Sunday of every month for which we have booked the YWCA conference hall up to end of this year. This will also act as a contact center for Chennai chapter. We are also going to conduct programme for school children in June’2009. Then we are planning to arrange again an all India TISA meet under Dr.Sachin on 24th Jan’2010 inviting press and TV reporters. On that occasion, we are planning to show to them atleast 5 adult + 5 students who over come their  stammering. Here what I mean is 95% normal speech is called ‘overcoming stammering’.
My Confidence level
Here I wish to say about my confidence level for the benefit of other chapter
coordinators. Actually I started this weekly course fully  depended on Mr.
Sivasuramanian’s teaching skill as I never took class in my life. Because of
his only daughter arrival from UK, he is unable to come for the first 3
meetings. Ist meeting I managed with a help of Dr.Sachin. For the next meet, I
spent a entire Saturday and ½ a day in Sunday for how to conduct the meeting.Â
some how I managed the second class. But believe me, for the last 3 classes I
never spend a minute for how to take class. It is coming fluently. As I only
prepared all the lesions, I only used to take class for the lesion part.
Mr.Sivasubramanian, usually talks about psychological part. I think, I will
overcome my stammering (ofcourse 95%) before August’2009. So great benefit to the Coordinators.
Special Feature of this course
As stammering is mostly related to mind, we devoted 90% of the course time to
psychological part and 10% only to for therapy as many adults are unwilling to
change their speaking pattern.. But we have to watch the results.
Acknowledgement.
In this connection, I wish to thank all those who contributed one way or another
to make this event as a big successes.
The PWSs who attended our course regularly.
YWCA management who provided accommodation and behaved in a dignified manner
throughout yhe course period.
Dr.Sachin. ( Don’t want to elaborate).
TISA core group members Mr.Sivasubramanian, Mr.Vishal & Mr. Hasssanad, as
without their continuous support, we should not come to this level.
Mr.Balasubramanian form Madurai as his speech on 24th Jan boosted the Chennai chapter image.
Of course our press particularly “Thinathathi†and “Tamizhan TVâ€as
without their support, the 24th event might have been a low key affair.
All our friends who helped for this cause.
Last but not least, to my wife and to Sivasubramanian’s wife for tolerating us and allowing to attend for the Sunday meetings, because, both are working
women  and holiday on Sundays only.
ALL ENDS WELL. THANKS ONCE AGAIN TO ONE AND ALL.
Bye for now.
Regards,
V. Manimaran
Mobile: 098842 89989
(Ed. I am really very sorry for not being able to edit out those funny machine characters which slip in when you try to copy and paste.. But anyone can see what a wonderful job Chennai group has done - and the steady coordination provided by Mani! Thank you sir!)
Pune Self Help Group Meeting
Pune Self help group met on 29 march 2009. We started with slow reading with pauses after every four or five words to get our breathing normal and feel relaxed. Then we continued with introductions with the same rule as last time i.e. after introducing oneself, one is also required to introduce the person who gave his introduction before him (we have only male members as of now :( ), so that we listen carefully & don't start thinking about our turn to speak. Then everyone spoke for around 5 minutes on any topic of their choice, catch being everybody was required to speak for full five minutes (you may take long pauses or you may even sing a song to fill up the time). And really...... Rupesh sang a beautiful song ( This man is a terrific singer, any music director listening!!!!). We also gave feedback about each other. We had discussions on various topics & also shared some funny incidents from our lives. We concluded with impromptu speech. Each one of us was required to speak for five minutes on a topic give by someone else.
We never thought, it would be so much fun & we are enjoying it!!!
People in pic (left to right): Jai, Sanjeet, Rupesh and Prasad. (Pravin couldn’t join as he was out of town)
Cheers,Jai Prakash Sunda
Mb No:9271205627
P.S : If you are a person who stammer or know someone who stammer, please feel free to contact us.
March 28, 2009
Book for children
Those children who can read English comfortably and can spend some money- for them there is a book- Nice one, about how to deal with stammering, if you are a child:
http://www.tampabay.com/features/books/article969896.ece
If the parents do decide to buy, here is the amazon link; and yes, dont order just one- order two and give one to nearest children's library !
http://www.amazon.com/Stuttering-Takes-Stand-Artie-Knapp/dp/0982167709/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235057044&sr=8-1
sachin
PS: If you are a budding translator, ever thought of translating this book for children? We need such litterature in Indian languages. And let me tell you a secret: if you are a PWS, such activities can be therapeutic!
http://www.tampabay.com/features/books/article969896.ece
If the parents do decide to buy, here is the amazon link; and yes, dont order just one- order two and give one to nearest children's library !
http://www.amazon.com/Stuttering-Takes-Stand-Artie-Knapp/dp/0982167709/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235057044&sr=8-1
sachin
PS: If you are a budding translator, ever thought of translating this book for children? We need such litterature in Indian languages. And let me tell you a secret: if you are a PWS, such activities can be therapeutic!
Delhi Group Meeting
Hi,
This Saturday, the group meeting took place at 2:00 PM at our usual place - the Central Park, Connaught Place, New Delhi.
We had 10 attendees this time - Myself, Sikandar, Tarun, Kshitiz, Shivam, Sudhanshu, Deepak, Kishore, Pulkit and Vishal.
We did the usual bit of introducing each other and sharing our experiences. Vishal is an almost fully recovered stutterer, and remarkably he has worked himself to overcome it. He surely is an inspiration for me.
In this group, 5 people have attended Mr. Adlakha's therapy and also have been a part of his group therapy sessions. Since these people have already attended group therapy and have been trained to practice talking in group as much as possible, they hogged most of the talking time and others get very little time to speak ;-) Though they themselves and their apprehensions were equally party to this.
To avoid such situations, we have decided that from next meeting onwards, we will keep pre-defined time-slots for everybody, thus everybody will get a chance to speak.
The other problem we are going to face will be summers, afternoon time will not be feasible in summers, so we might have to shift this meeting to either Saturday evening or Sunday morning. There is no consensus on it yet, let's see how it goes.
In next meeting, I am planning to share Mani sir's lessons with the group. Mani sir, can we call you from the group, to hear your valuable suggessions?
Sachin sir, when are you going to grace our meetings?
Cheers
Nitin (on behalf of Delhi TISA chapter)
This Saturday, the group meeting took place at 2:00 PM at our usual place - the Central Park, Connaught Place, New Delhi.
We had 10 attendees this time - Myself, Sikandar, Tarun, Kshitiz, Shivam, Sudhanshu, Deepak, Kishore, Pulkit and Vishal.
We did the usual bit of introducing each other and sharing our experiences. Vishal is an almost fully recovered stutterer, and remarkably he has worked himself to overcome it. He surely is an inspiration for me.
In this group, 5 people have attended Mr. Adlakha's therapy and also have been a part of his group therapy sessions. Since these people have already attended group therapy and have been trained to practice talking in group as much as possible, they hogged most of the talking time and others get very little time to speak ;-) Though they themselves and their apprehensions were equally party to this.
To avoid such situations, we have decided that from next meeting onwards, we will keep pre-defined time-slots for everybody, thus everybody will get a chance to speak.
The other problem we are going to face will be summers, afternoon time will not be feasible in summers, so we might have to shift this meeting to either Saturday evening or Sunday morning. There is no consensus on it yet, let's see how it goes.
In next meeting, I am planning to share Mani sir's lessons with the group. Mani sir, can we call you from the group, to hear your valuable suggessions?
Sachin sir, when are you going to grace our meetings?
Cheers
Nitin (on behalf of Delhi TISA chapter)
How to get Rich
Having more money is on top of everyone’s wish list. People buy lottery tickets hoping to become instant millionaires. Some read books written by the rich hoping to gain some insight about how to make their first million. Others succumb to get-rich-quick scams all because the idea of receiving loads of money is just too hard to resist. Some gain money very easily while others seem to earn little no matter how hard they try.
What accounts for the difference? Is it just pure luck? Or is there a universal formula that anyone can use to create more wealth?
It really is all in the mind. Generally, every positive action starts out as a powerful thought. The more you think about something, the more you believe in it. Beliefs motivate you to act. And actions have consequences. All you need to figure out is what kind of thought stimulates the inflow of wealth.
To have more money, you have to attract it with your thoughts. If you think that becoming rich is just an impossible dream, then you are not likely to receive more wealth because of your thoughts. It is the universal law of attraction that is at work, even in the material world of finances. It’s all about having the right attitude.
Here’s how:
Change your attitude about money
Instead of believing that you need to move mountains to become rich, try telling yourself that “money comes easily and frequently.” Say that often to yourself and believe in it. If there is any doubt at all about how easy money can flow into your life, that doubt will attract a negative force that prevents you from creating wealth.
Be a cheerful giver
Money begets money. The universe works according to a natural process of filling and emptying. To get more money, you have to give money. But the act of giving has to come from your heart; otherwise, the law of attraction will view the gift of money as a mere sacrifice, or an act that affirms your lack of money. Giving more money is a positive act that strongly shows your belief that money comes to you easily. The universal law of attraction will work by responding to your outflow with an inflow, oftentimes greater than what you give out.
Visualize receiving money
Ask and you shall receive. That is how the universe works. Junk all conservative thoughts about money. Refrain from thinking that the world does not owe you material favors. It is this negative attitude about the world working against you that prevents you from reaping all that the world has to offer.Starting today, picture yourself surrounded with earmarks of wealth and feel it. Change your negative attitude about money. Feel the excitement. Wealth may be on its way.
(Ed: Many of these ideas apply to other 'departments' of life too, including fluency.)
What accounts for the difference? Is it just pure luck? Or is there a universal formula that anyone can use to create more wealth?
It really is all in the mind. Generally, every positive action starts out as a powerful thought. The more you think about something, the more you believe in it. Beliefs motivate you to act. And actions have consequences. All you need to figure out is what kind of thought stimulates the inflow of wealth.
To have more money, you have to attract it with your thoughts. If you think that becoming rich is just an impossible dream, then you are not likely to receive more wealth because of your thoughts. It is the universal law of attraction that is at work, even in the material world of finances. It’s all about having the right attitude.
Here’s how:
Change your attitude about money
Instead of believing that you need to move mountains to become rich, try telling yourself that “money comes easily and frequently.” Say that often to yourself and believe in it. If there is any doubt at all about how easy money can flow into your life, that doubt will attract a negative force that prevents you from creating wealth.
Be a cheerful giver
Money begets money. The universe works according to a natural process of filling and emptying. To get more money, you have to give money. But the act of giving has to come from your heart; otherwise, the law of attraction will view the gift of money as a mere sacrifice, or an act that affirms your lack of money. Giving more money is a positive act that strongly shows your belief that money comes to you easily. The universal law of attraction will work by responding to your outflow with an inflow, oftentimes greater than what you give out.
Visualize receiving money
Ask and you shall receive. That is how the universe works. Junk all conservative thoughts about money. Refrain from thinking that the world does not owe you material favors. It is this negative attitude about the world working against you that prevents you from reaping all that the world has to offer.Starting today, picture yourself surrounded with earmarks of wealth and feel it. Change your negative attitude about money. Feel the excitement. Wealth may be on its way.
(Ed: Many of these ideas apply to other 'departments' of life too, including fluency.)
March 27, 2009
Nurture the plant- It will outgrow the weeds!
Here is a nice offering from Kiran. What do you do with negative thoughts? Not just those related to speech- but in general? She offers some valid insights.
http://kirancabral005.blogspot.com/2009/03/avoid-negative-thoughts.html
http://kirancabral005.blogspot.com/2009/03/avoid-negative-thoughts.html
delhi meeting
tomorrow there will be a meeting. Come at 2 in central park, delhi.
dr kshitiz
9891428380
27.3'09
dr kshitiz
9891428380
27.3'09
Please note- Chennai Friends
Dear friends,The last weekly meeting at Chennai will be held on 29th March from 4 PM to 7 PMat YWCA.Try to come at 4 PM as I will be leaving 6 PM (after tea break) on thatday due to personal work. However the meeting will go upto 7 PM asMr.Sivasubramanian will be available. The monthly meetings will be held from April'2009 onwards in the same YWCA venueupto end of this year.The meetings will be mostly in the 4th or 5th Sunday ofevery month.
Regards,V. ManimaranMobile: 098842 89989
Regards,V. ManimaranMobile: 098842 89989
March 26, 2009
Pune is upto it again..
Pune self help group is planning to meet at Sambhaji Park on 29 March 2009, 4 p.m.
Kindly take this opportunity to meet these wonderful & caring people. Don’t think about winning, we can beat you at stammering on any given day.
Kindly get in touch with the following:
Jai Prakash Sunda- 9271205627.
Pravin: 9970780936
Cheers,
Jai
A photograph is a promise this time (I am a novice photographer J ).
March 24, 2009
Self Hypnotism and slowing your life down..
Dear friends,
There were 9 PWS who attended the 22nd March meeting. In this meeting Mr.Ramesh who came on our request, has demonstrated about self-Hypnotism which was liked by every one. This self-hypnotism is basically meant to feed positive thoughts into our sub-conscious mind. Really a good one. A practical guide to control the stammering which can be applied through ot the day was given to every PWS which are given below.
PRACTICAL GUIDE TO CONTROL STAMMERING
Sl.No
Description
Duration
Time
Check list
1
Do breathing exercise. Depending upon your capacity, Inhale-Hold-Exhale by
counting 4-4-4 or 4-4-8 or 8-8-16. Suggested to consult a Master in this field
to find out correct breathing method to you.
5 min initially and increase to 10 min.
Early morning
2
Do meditation. A simple meditation is to close your eyes and watch the air going
in and coming out of your nose without controlling your breath. Just simply
watch. Again suggested to consult a Master in this field.
5 min initially and increase to 10 min
Early morning & whenever get tensed.
3
Slow reading technique. Read slowly with shaking your head gently and pause 3
sec in between sentences.
15 min
Morning
4
Talk slowly (preferably in front of a mirror) with shaking your head gently and
pause 3 sec between sentences. Take one subject each day and use simple
sentences only.
15 min
Morning
5
Count 100-98-96-…4-2-0 slowly.
2 times
Anytime.
6
Use chewing gum (diabetics can use sugar free chewing gum)
1 hr
2 times/day (Preferably during traveling) .
7
Sing a song (With or without book) either loudly or silently to the real time of
the song (try to open mouth widely)
3 Songs
Anytime
8
Drink coffee or tea or milk or water slowly
5 min
Atleast 2 times/day
9
Eat food slowly
15 min
Atleast 1 meal/day
10
Type SMS slowly
3 SMS
Anytime.
11
Type computer key board slowly
15 min
Anytime
12
Write (slowly) something positively about your speaking like “I am going to
speak well�, “I am going to speak without stammering� etc. But use the
same sentence every day so that it will be recorded in your sub conscious mind..
Atleast 10 times/day
Anytime
13
Think slowly (like slow speaking) using simple sentences with 3 sec pause
between sentences.
15 min
Anytime (preferably while traveling).
14
If possible,think in English or other language slowly.
15 min
Anytime
Everyone has asked to take more no of copies and keep record of their every day
practise.
Regards,
V. Manimaran
Mobile: 098842 89989
There were 9 PWS who attended the 22nd March meeting. In this meeting Mr.Ramesh who came on our request, has demonstrated about self-Hypnotism which was liked by every one. This self-hypnotism is basically meant to feed positive thoughts into our sub-conscious mind. Really a good one. A practical guide to control the stammering which can be applied through ot the day was given to every PWS which are given below.
PRACTICAL GUIDE TO CONTROL STAMMERING
Sl.No
Description
Duration
Time
Check list
1
Do breathing exercise. Depending upon your capacity, Inhale-Hold-Exhale by
counting 4-4-4 or 4-4-8 or 8-8-16. Suggested to consult a Master in this field
to find out correct breathing method to you.
5 min initially and increase to 10 min.
Early morning
2
Do meditation. A simple meditation is to close your eyes and watch the air going
in and coming out of your nose without controlling your breath. Just simply
watch. Again suggested to consult a Master in this field.
5 min initially and increase to 10 min
Early morning & whenever get tensed.
3
Slow reading technique. Read slowly with shaking your head gently and pause 3
sec in between sentences.
15 min
Morning
4
Talk slowly (preferably in front of a mirror) with shaking your head gently and
pause 3 sec between sentences. Take one subject each day and use simple
sentences only.
15 min
Morning
5
Count 100-98-96-…4-2-0 slowly.
2 times
Anytime.
6
Use chewing gum (diabetics can use sugar free chewing gum)
1 hr
2 times/day (Preferably during traveling) .
7
Sing a song (With or without book) either loudly or silently to the real time of
the song (try to open mouth widely)
3 Songs
Anytime
8
Drink coffee or tea or milk or water slowly
5 min
Atleast 2 times/day
9
Eat food slowly
15 min
Atleast 1 meal/day
10
Type SMS slowly
3 SMS
Anytime.
11
Type computer key board slowly
15 min
Anytime
12
Write (slowly) something positively about your speaking like “I am going to
speak well�, “I am going to speak without stammering� etc. But use the
same sentence every day so that it will be recorded in your sub conscious mind..
Atleast 10 times/day
Anytime
13
Think slowly (like slow speaking) using simple sentences with 3 sec pause
between sentences.
15 min
Anytime (preferably while traveling).
14
If possible,think in English or other language slowly.
15 min
Anytime
Everyone has asked to take more no of copies and keep record of their every day
practise.
Regards,
V. Manimaran
Mobile: 098842 89989
March 23, 2009
Pune gets cracking! Wow!
Pune SHG met for the first time on March 22, 2009 at Sambhaji Park. Pravin, Prasad, Sanjeet, Rupesh and Jai attended the meeting. We started with slow reading with pauses after every sentence (so that we get our breathing normal and in rythm ) and then with introductions. While introducing oneself, everyone was also required to introduce the person who gave his introduction just before him. This was done making sure that we listen to others introduction J as generally a PWS starts thinking about the words which he will be using to speak. But now he can’t do that as he should listen carefullyJ. We also discussed what speech therapy techniques everyone have tried. We also discussed Yoga, Pranayam, Art of Living and Toastmasters club and how they can help us. We also agreed to share any information related to stammering, available on internet or anywhere else which we think is useful. It was also decided that, we will be meeting every weekend & agenda of the meeting would be sent to the participants beforehand. All in all a very interesting , fruitful and fun filled interaction.
Cheers,
Jai
(Next time, we will try to put up a picture too)
Cheers,
Jai
(Next time, we will try to put up a picture too)
March 20, 2009
Delhi TISA meet
Hi,
After a gap of three weeks, Delhi TISA SHG meetings will be resuming from
tomorrow. We have 7 confirmations till now. Give me a call @ 98183 50799,
if interested to join us.
Details
Venue - Central Park, Connaught Place, New Delhi
Time - 2:00 PM
Regards
Nitin
After a gap of three weeks, Delhi TISA SHG meetings will be resuming from
tomorrow. We have 7 confirmations till now. Give me a call @ 98183 50799,
if interested to join us.
Details
Venue - Central Park, Connaught Place, New Delhi
Time - 2:00 PM
Regards
Nitin
March 19, 2009
Chennai Meets
Dear friends,
The next Chennai chapter meet will be held on 22nd March ie Sunday from 4 PM
to 7 PM at YWCA conference hall. Kindly note that there will be one more weekly
meeting in this month. From April onwards, only monthly meetings. Pl make use of
this opportunity.
Regards,
V. Manimaran
Mobile: 098842 89989
The next Chennai chapter meet will be held on 22nd March ie Sunday from 4 PM
to 7 PM at YWCA conference hall. Kindly note that there will be one more weekly
meeting in this month. From April onwards, only monthly meetings. Pl make use of
this opportunity.
Regards,
V. Manimaran
Mobile: 098842 89989
Questions and answers
Keith Boss recently replied to a young IPWS. We have left out the questions, because we know them too well. In any case, you can guess them from the answers. We are sharing here these answers because many of us may still have these questions..
---------------------------------------------------------
Good to hear from you.
Questions / Answers.
CURE OF STAMMERING
There is no cure for stammering. There are ways to increase the perfection of your communication. (I am entering a speech contest next Monday).
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF SPEECH THERAPIST
It is good to learn speaking tools to use initially to begin to remember good speaking times. These good times will happen more and more and will begin to melt your old Stammering Iceberg. Therapists, good ones, will help you to learn these tools; will help you to change your thinking, and will point you towards self help groups.
FRUSTRATION,PAIN,ANGER,DISAPPOINTMENT,DOUBTS.
These are thoughts in your mind. You can control your thoughts, with practice, so you can change and eliminate them.
God.
God gave you a brain. How you use that brain is your choice. You can go through life thinking inwards and negatively, or you can ignore your own problems, try to help others and often your own problems are reduced.
IS THE ROLE OF STUTTER TO BE AS A JOKER? ARE WE HERE JUST TO ENTERTAIN OTHER PEOPLES?
If you want to think this, that is your choice on how to use your brain. I do not choose to think like this as I know it is depressing and not what I want in life. May I ask you a question. Do you read other people's minds? How do you know what others are thinking if you stutter?
ARE THESE STUPID AND SILLY QUESTIONS?
Friend, you are only 24. You have been hurt in the early part of you life. Really no question is stupid or silly. A question means you are looking for an answer which shows you have begun to walk along the path of change and courage. That is very, very good.
Join the rest of us in the world. Get to know other stutterers. Many of them are fun people to know.
---------------------------------------------------------
Good to hear from you.
Questions / Answers.
CURE OF STAMMERING
There is no cure for stammering. There are ways to increase the perfection of your communication. (I am entering a speech contest next Monday).
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF SPEECH THERAPIST
It is good to learn speaking tools to use initially to begin to remember good speaking times. These good times will happen more and more and will begin to melt your old Stammering Iceberg. Therapists, good ones, will help you to learn these tools; will help you to change your thinking, and will point you towards self help groups.
FRUSTRATION,PAIN,ANGER,DISAPPOINTMENT,DOUBTS.
These are thoughts in your mind. You can control your thoughts, with practice, so you can change and eliminate them.
God.
God gave you a brain. How you use that brain is your choice. You can go through life thinking inwards and negatively, or you can ignore your own problems, try to help others and often your own problems are reduced.
IS THE ROLE OF STUTTER TO BE AS A JOKER? ARE WE HERE JUST TO ENTERTAIN OTHER PEOPLES?
If you want to think this, that is your choice on how to use your brain. I do not choose to think like this as I know it is depressing and not what I want in life. May I ask you a question. Do you read other people's minds? How do you know what others are thinking if you stutter?
ARE THESE STUPID AND SILLY QUESTIONS?
Friend, you are only 24. You have been hurt in the early part of you life. Really no question is stupid or silly. A question means you are looking for an answer which shows you have begun to walk along the path of change and courage. That is very, very good.
Join the rest of us in the world. Get to know other stutterers. Many of them are fun people to know.
March 17, 2009
Attitudes
Jai, from Pune has sent this very interesting link.. it is all about you, me ..anybody.. and not just stammering.. much more than that..
http://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/isad9/papers/harrison9.html
http://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/
March 16, 2009
Pune Perks up!
Pune Self help group is planning to meet this Sunday (22nd March). Please get in touch with following for more info; Dont miss this opportunity. Dr Burns says, that clients who participate in self help activities, improve faster than those who depend on clinicians and other outside sources (from Feeling Good Handbook).
Jai Prakash Sunda – 9271205627
Niraj Vijay Nakhale- 9970459172.
Venue
Sambhaji Park, 22nd march, 4 p.m.
Jai Prakash Sunda – 9271205627
Niraj Vijay Nakhale- 9970459172.
Venue
Sambhaji Park, 22nd march, 4 p.m.
Ajab speech ki gajab kahani!! Straight from Bollywood..
Keith has just sent this link. On the face of it - it seems to be a good development. But a little voice says- WAIT! Sometime people do right things for wrong reasons..
Anyway, I want the 'great' actors, not only to stammer but do other things, considered 'embarrassing' by society- so that we all can become more accepting.. more comfortable with difference among ourselves..
http://movies.ndtv.com/newstory.asp?section=Movies&id=ENTEN20090087637
Anyway, I want the 'great' actors, not only to stammer but do other things, considered 'embarrassing' by society- so that we all can become more accepting.. more comfortable with difference among ourselves..
http://movies.ndtv.com/newstory.asp?section=Movies&id=ENTEN20090087637
Practice, Practice, Practice...
Dear friends,
The 15th March Chennai chapter meeting were attended by 15 PWS with an addition
of 2 new members.
As usual, everyone sang a song at the beginning.Then each one was asked to tell
his name, Father,Mother,Grand fathers and grand Mother's name,his qualification
and his place of residence in that order with 3 secs pause between each
one.Barring a couple of PWS, others found it very difficult to pause between
sentences.
The best thing for PWS to improve is, to practice continuously pausing between
sentences. The only way I know is to practice, practice, practice...
Regards,
V. Manimaran
Mobile: 098842 89989
The 15th March Chennai chapter meeting were attended by 15 PWS with an addition
of 2 new members.
As usual, everyone sang a song at the beginning.Then each one was asked to tell
his name, Father,Mother,Grand fathers and grand Mother's name,his qualification
and his place of residence in that order with 3 secs pause between each
one.Barring a couple of PWS, others found it very difficult to pause between
sentences.
The best thing for PWS to improve is, to practice continuously pausing between
sentences. The only way I know is to practice, practice, practice...
Regards,
V. Manimaran
Mobile: 098842 89989
March 13, 2009
Chennai Self Help Group
The next Chennai chapter meeting will be held on 15th Mar'2009 (Sunday), as
usual at YWCA conference hall from 4 PM to 7PM. Pl make use of this opportunity.
Regards,
V. Manimaran
Mobile: 098842 89989
usual at YWCA conference hall from 4 PM to 7PM. Pl make use of this opportunity.
Regards,
V. Manimaran
Mobile: 098842 89989
Fear the FEAR
The other day I was talking to a young man- an IT pro, looking for a job: Actually, It was a counseling session: I was encouraging him to talk about his speech – he is a PWS. I was a little bit taken aback, when he said that his speech was fine- it was just some words (sounds) which offered difficulties. Many of us know that it is not that simple. When we are in the grip of that irrational fear, any word can become the trigger and may refuse to come out.. But of course, those who have never been to Tazmahal, will agree with you only in a vague general sense, nod their head good naturedly, when you talk of its beauty.. But they dont know. And they dont know that they dont know- what you are talking about! They have never been there.
It reminds me of a trekking trip with a group of students some years back. One girl had mentioned about her fear of dogs and I had assured her that there was no chance of coming across one in this trek. Then, against all odds, we did see a dog following some trekkers coming towards us from the opposite direction- on 4th or 5th day.
I had read a lot about phobia, panic disorders and seen some cases in my clinical years as a doctor. But what I saw now happening to this young girl – I will never forget. Being overwhelmed with fear is something to be experienced in order to be understood. Stammering is a similar experience. It is like sudden drowning. But many of us devise defenses and work around. We minimize the whole thing and see it as just a peculiar problem with a few words only. The underlying fear is much more generalized- not just to communication, but to other areas of life as well.
What is the way out? Instead of just worrying about 'Chandigarh' and 'University' (ie. how to say these words)– we should take a serious look at our fears. And deal with them directly. It reminds me of a story about Swami Vivekananda. One day he was walking through a lane in Varanasi, as a young itinerant monk. There was a pack of aggressive monkeys sitting right in the path. There were walls on both sides. No way to escape. The pack made a gesture of rushing at him. He was scared for a moment. Then he heard an old man sitting high on the wall, say: “March towards them. Dont turn back.” This is what he did, and the pack of monkeys, dispersed. This is a great lesson of life for us. Coming to stammering, many of the therapy approaches are based on this principle: like bouncing, voluntary stuttering etc. These approaches help us to explore our speech related fears, change our attitude to communication and remove our fears for good.
For starters, try bouncing or faking a mild stammer with your boy (or girl) friend today, just once and then observe.. (Dont try it on your boss yet!)
It reminds me of a trekking trip with a group of students some years back. One girl had mentioned about her fear of dogs and I had assured her that there was no chance of coming across one in this trek. Then, against all odds, we did see a dog following some trekkers coming towards us from the opposite direction- on 4th or 5th day.
I had read a lot about phobia, panic disorders and seen some cases in my clinical years as a doctor. But what I saw now happening to this young girl – I will never forget. Being overwhelmed with fear is something to be experienced in order to be understood. Stammering is a similar experience. It is like sudden drowning. But many of us devise defenses and work around. We minimize the whole thing and see it as just a peculiar problem with a few words only. The underlying fear is much more generalized- not just to communication, but to other areas of life as well.
What is the way out? Instead of just worrying about 'Chandigarh' and 'University' (ie. how to say these words)– we should take a serious look at our fears. And deal with them directly. It reminds me of a story about Swami Vivekananda. One day he was walking through a lane in Varanasi, as a young itinerant monk. There was a pack of aggressive monkeys sitting right in the path. There were walls on both sides. No way to escape. The pack made a gesture of rushing at him. He was scared for a moment. Then he heard an old man sitting high on the wall, say: “March towards them. Dont turn back.” This is what he did, and the pack of monkeys, dispersed. This is a great lesson of life for us. Coming to stammering, many of the therapy approaches are based on this principle: like bouncing, voluntary stuttering etc. These approaches help us to explore our speech related fears, change our attitude to communication and remove our fears for good.
For starters, try bouncing or faking a mild stammer with your boy (or girl) friend today, just once and then observe.. (Dont try it on your boss yet!)
March 9, 2009
Memories and memories..
Someone asked TISA about role of memories and should these be shared in SHG. We are sharing the answer so that everyone benefits, especially those who are involved with SHGs.
Role of Memories in continuation of stammering: The current belief is that neurologically, memories and related emotional and physiological responses and closely connected (wired) in the brain. You pull one strand accidentally and the whole tangle of the root and the plant gets pulled out. If last time you stammered in presence of your in-laws, and you felt very bad for your spouse - then, whenever you talk to your in-laws, your mind may recall the embarrassment of that moment – and then you may feel fearful, tense and suddenly you may find that you have started stammering uncontrollably. Why does these negative memories hold such power over us? It is because we have invested lot of emotional and psychic energy in these negative experiences. It is because we have given them a special status in our lives- by keeping them secret.
The way out: The way out is simple but needs courage. If you can share these memories, feelings, experiences with others whom you trust, by talking, writing, acting out (simulation, role plays), a few times, you will be free of them. Self help group is the best place for this- but not the only place. You could also share these events with your spiritual teacher (Guide or Confessor), close friend, parents or anyone you trust and respect. Even writing a blog or a poem on web can help to dissipate these memories and feelings. When this has been done couple of times, the memories become like a thoroughly washed out water color painting- it is there but has no power on you.
There are a few things to be kept in mind: is the other person ready and capable of dealing with your pain? Of listening to you? Is the time and place appropriate? Will the other person respect your privacy? Are you doing this with correct attitude of helping yourself to rise above your past? And not to seek just sympathy? Etc.
PS: This applies to many emotional issues rooted in past. But I will not advise you to share your financial memories on a blog- just in case Income Tax officers are browsing !!
Face the Fear and Rise above it!
Dear Friends,
The Chennai chapter meeting on 8th March were attended by 15 pws.As usual, everyone sang a song at the beginning. Then, every one asked to speak first slowly with pausing of 3 secs between sentences. Then, voluntary stuttering.Though some pws finding it difficult at the beginning, but after some time they started enjoying it talking in this manner without stammering. As part of theory, it was taught about modifying these feeling towards stammering giving the following handout.
1. Every Stutterer will have some ups and downs and the course of improvement is seldom a smooth course.
2. Despite progress, there will be occasional days of poor talking, for disorganizing stresses are sure to intervene.
3. We are all different; what helps one Stutterer may not work for another.
4. Fluency, like confidence comes slowly and slips back from time to time.
5. Dont waste your time and frustrate yourself by trying to speak perfect fluency.
6. If you followed the guidelines that taught to you, you have found that you can control your difficulty partially through modifying your feelings
and attitudes towards your stuttering and partially modifying the abnormal action associated with your stuttering behavior.
7. Why difficulty of saying your name? Because one's name carries
a heavy self-concept psychological load. It identifies one. It represents the
whole person. Also there is no possibility of substituting another name for
one's own name.
8. Should you work to be less sensitive? If you are less sensitive
about stuttering, those around will be more comfortable in your presence. This
will make you more at ease and you will stutter less and it goes on. It is a
vicious circle.
9. You must learn to desensitise yourself to the reaction of others
and refuse to let people's actual or imaged responses to your stuttering that
continue to affect your mental health or peace of mind.
10. Stuttering is a disorder, which can be worsened by ill treatment. Many well- meaning but ignorant individuals by their suggestions and reactions have made the stuttering not only more difficult to bear but also more
severe and frequent.
Thats all from Chennai
Regards
V. Manimaran
Mobile: 098842 89989
The Chennai chapter meeting on 8th March were attended by 15 pws.As usual, everyone sang a song at the beginning. Then, every one asked to speak first slowly with pausing of 3 secs between sentences. Then, voluntary stuttering.Though some pws finding it difficult at the beginning, but after some time they started enjoying it talking in this manner without stammering. As part of theory, it was taught about modifying these feeling towards stammering giving the following handout.
1. Every Stutterer will have some ups and downs and the course of improvement is seldom a smooth course.
2. Despite progress, there will be occasional days of poor talking, for disorganizing stresses are sure to intervene.
3. We are all different; what helps one Stutterer may not work for another.
4. Fluency, like confidence comes slowly and slips back from time to time.
5. Dont waste your time and frustrate yourself by trying to speak perfect fluency.
6. If you followed the guidelines that taught to you, you have found that you can control your difficulty partially through modifying your feelings
and attitudes towards your stuttering and partially modifying the abnormal action associated with your stuttering behavior.
7. Why difficulty of saying your name? Because one's name carries
a heavy self-concept psychological load. It identifies one. It represents the
whole person. Also there is no possibility of substituting another name for
one's own name.
8. Should you work to be less sensitive? If you are less sensitive
about stuttering, those around will be more comfortable in your presence. This
will make you more at ease and you will stutter less and it goes on. It is a
vicious circle.
9. You must learn to desensitise yourself to the reaction of others
and refuse to let people's actual or imaged responses to your stuttering that
continue to affect your mental health or peace of mind.
10. Stuttering is a disorder, which can be worsened by ill treatment. Many well- meaning but ignorant individuals by their suggestions and reactions have made the stuttering not only more difficult to bear but also more
severe and frequent.
Thats all from Chennai
Regards
V. Manimaran
Mobile: 098842 89989
March 6, 2009
Chennai Chugs along..
Dear friends,
The next Chennai chapter meet will be held on 8.3.09 (Sunday) at YWCA conference hall from 4 PM to 7 PM.
Regards
V. Manimaran
Mobile: 098842 89989
The next Chennai chapter meet will be held on 8.3.09 (Sunday) at YWCA conference hall from 4 PM to 7 PM.
Regards
V. Manimaran
Mobile: 098842 89989
March 3, 2009
Pune Takes OFF !! Watch out!
The Pune self help group is finally taking off under the leadership of Jai Prakash Sunda, assisted by a friend, Niraj. They are meeting regularly. Here are their contact numbers. If you are in Pune feel free to get in touch and take the advantage of supportive atmosphere to exchange information, techniques and opinions.
Jai Prakash Sunda – 9271205627
Niraj Vijay Nakhale- 9970459172.
Jai Prakash Sunda – 9271205627
Niraj Vijay Nakhale- 9970459172.
March 2, 2009
Chennai meets
Dear friends,
The Chennai chapter meeting held on 1st March was attended by 10 pws. As decided in the last meeting, we begun with each one singing a song to make the environment stress free. Everybody sang very well. As decided in the last meeting, every one was asked to speak either normally or slowly but pause between two sentences for about 3 secs. This has been done because silence is great fear for all the pws. Hence to over come this fear, they have been asked to pause deliberately between two sentences. All the pws tried their best but there is a long way to go. But it is one of the best way that every pws has to practice.
Then, 2 types of meditation have been taught to pws to practice. First one is to count backwards 100 98 96 94 92 90.....4 2 0. Repeat this for 3 times preferably in the mornings. It will increase the concentration. Another type of meditation is just simply observe the incoming and outgoing breath from nose for about few minutes. The important thing is just observe the breath only and not control the breathing, This can be done as many times as possible.Thie will calm down mind. Lastly voluntary stuttering was taught.The example of voluntary stuttering is given below.
R-R-Repeat it several times and observe what you are doing wro-wro-wro-ngly.Like this, read about 2 pages.
Thats all from Chennai.
Regards,
V. Manimaran
Mobile: 098842 89989
The Chennai chapter meeting held on 1st March was attended by 10 pws. As decided in the last meeting, we begun with each one singing a song to make the environment stress free. Everybody sang very well. As decided in the last meeting, every one was asked to speak either normally or slowly but pause between two sentences for about 3 secs. This has been done because silence is great fear for all the pws. Hence to over come this fear, they have been asked to pause deliberately between two sentences. All the pws tried their best but there is a long way to go. But it is one of the best way that every pws has to practice.
Then, 2 types of meditation have been taught to pws to practice. First one is to count backwards 100 98 96 94 92 90.....4 2 0. Repeat this for 3 times preferably in the mornings. It will increase the concentration. Another type of meditation is just simply observe the incoming and outgoing breath from nose for about few minutes. The important thing is just observe the breath only and not control the breathing, This can be done as many times as possible.Thie will calm down mind. Lastly voluntary stuttering was taught.The example of voluntary stuttering is given below.
R-R-Repeat it several times and observe what you are doing wro-wro-wro-ngly.Like this, read about 2 pages.
Thats all from Chennai.
Regards,
V. Manimaran
Mobile: 098842 89989
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)