Michael Winkler Formerly: member of BVSS (Germany), LV Sächsische Stotterer-Selbsthilfe (LVSS - Saxony) Stottererselbsthilfe Dresden (Self-helping group for People who Stutter) Now: Network of People who Stutter Conference 15 Years »Démoszthenész Egyesület« Conference 15 Years »Démoszthenész Egyesület« NEM VAGY EGYEDÜL Budapest (Hungary) October 18, 2009 Theoretical and Practical Approaches to Heal Stuttering – a Personal View A dadogás gyógyításának elméleti és gyakorlati módszere – személyes oldalról megközelítve Theoretische und praktische Ansätze für die Heilung des Stotterns – aus persönlicher Sicht. Saxony Dresden Drežďany Dresde

Michael Winkler Member of BVSS, LV Sächsische Stotterer-Selbsthilfe (LVSS) Stottererselbsthilfe Dresden (Self-helping group for People who Stutter) PRO VOCE – Gesellschaft für Kommunikation und Sprache e.V. 12th BSA National Conference, Telford September 9, 2007 Stuttering – Problem or Challenge for People who Stutter and Society? Thoughts about the Role of People who Stutter in the Society Saxony Dresden Drežďany Dresde Pictures:

M. Winkler Budapest Oct 2009 Short Introduction … Who I am? Michael Winkler born 1975 in Karl-Marx-Stadt (today Chemnitz) – former GDR born 1975 in Karl-Marx-Stadt (today Chemnitz) – former GDR in 1982 – first class – a teacher told me that I would stuttered in 1982 – first class – a teacher told me that I would stuttered several speech therapists, no stationary treatment/therapy – much of self therapy several speech therapists, no stationary treatment/therapy – much of self therapy Author of some articles in the Kieselstein (journal of the BVSS – Association for PWS in Germany) Author of some articles in the Kieselstein (journal of the BVSS – Association for PWS in Germany) Interests: Public Relations (lectures, radio, TV -> plans for future) Causes & psychological reasons of stuttering, meaning of stuttering, writing Interests: Public Relations (lectures, radio, TV -> plans for future) Causes & psychological reasons of stuttering, meaning of stuttering, writing presently PhD student at the TU Dresden (Cartography), writer (freelancer) presently PhD student at the TU Dresden (Cartography), writer (freelancer) consider myself as almost cured (healed) consider myself as almost cured (healed) in German TV,

M. Winkler Budapest Oct 2009 Index of the Presentation The Stuttering Person and Society (Self-perception, problems in self-help groups) The Stuttering Person and Society (Self-perception, problems in self-help groups) Going back: What actually is Stuttering? Going back: What actually is Stuttering? Positive (and negative) Aspects – Advantages (and Disadvantages) – of Stuttering Positive (and negative) Aspects – Advantages (and Disadvantages) – of Stuttering (Famous PWS, stuttering as a path, stuttering as an indicator etc.) Chief Cause Fear? … (if time allows) Chief Cause Fear? … (if time allows) Practical things … Questions & Discussion Practical things … Questions & Discussion Stammering & Stuttering German stammeln not knowing what to say stottern not being able to say what one wants to say mental challenge ? psychic challenge ?

M. Winkler Budapest Oct 2009 The Stuttering Person and Society The Stuttering Person as Human Being Human Being Being with a multitude of capabilities & characteristics Stutterer, stuttering person or stuttering human being? Stuttering

M. Winkler Budapest Oct 2009 Human Being Stuttering 1. As what/who do I consider myself? 2. How does the society look at me as a PWS? The Stuttering Person and Society The Human Being as Stuttering Person Being with a multitude of capabilities & characteristics

M. Winkler Budapest Oct 2009 The Society and I (the PWS) Stutterer/ Stuttering Person/ Human Being Society Positive Change of Consciousness Therapy, SHG, etc. Interface Acceptance Public Relations & Awareness raising Feeling of Isolation? Disturbed Acceptance? Disturbed SELF-perception? Not enough (own) PR? Too little (own) Acceptance? No direct Influence/Power Using ideas from the PR branch – Edward L. Bernays Propaganda (1928) Modern business must have its finger continuously on the public pulse. It must understand the changes in the public mind and be prepared to interpret itself fairly and eloquently to changing opinion. Chapter Business and the Public, p. 107 Civilization is limited by inertia. Chapter Propaganda and Social Service, p. 147 Internet-Download: Edward L. Bernays ( )

M. Winkler Budapest Oct 2009 Definitions – What is Stuttering? Stuttering [(lat. balbuties)], also known as stammering in the United Kingdom, is a speech disorder in which the flow of speech is disrupted by involuntary repetitions and prolongations of sounds, syllables, words or phrases; and involuntary silent pauses or blocks in which the stutterer is unable to produce sounds. Stuttering [(lat. balbuties)], also known as stammering in the United Kingdom, is a speech disorder in which the flow of speech is disrupted by involuntary repetitions and prolongations of sounds, syllables, words or phrases; and involuntary silent pauses or blocks in which the stutterer is unable to produce sounds. Definition according to Wikipedia ( Stuttering is another way to speak. Stuttering is another way to speak. Stuttering is a corrective for the unconscious use and conscious misuse of speaking in the societal life; … [just like not being able to talk for mute people.] Stuttering is a corrective for the unconscious use and conscious misuse of speaking in the societal life; … [just like not being able to talk for mute people.] own definition WHY? Causes (passive) - PAST Meaning, Use (active) - FUTURE What am I doing right here, right now? - PRESENT We can understand life only backwards but must live it forwards. Søren Aabye Kierkegaard ( ) Danish philosopher, theologian and writer

M. Winkler Budapest Oct 2009 THE TWO PHASES (Faces) OF STUTTERING Acceptance Degree of Cure What is (does) Cure (mean)? Healing / Curing?

Famous PWS … Moses, Aristoteles, Demosthenes, Claudius, I. Newton, T. Jefferson, L. Carroll, C. Darwin, F. Kafka, M. Monroe, Scatman John, J. Updike, B. Willis (healed), R. Atkinson (Mr. Bean), J. Roberts, N. Gallagher (Oasis), G. Gates … Successful despite or because of their stuttering? Positive & negative Aspects of Stuttering

Famous PWS … Moses, Aristoteles, Demosthenes, Claudius, I. Newton, T. Jefferson, L. Carroll, C. Darwin, F. Kafka, M. Monroe, Scatman John, J. Updike, B. Willis (geheilt), R. Atkinson (Mr. Bean), J. Roberts, N. Gallagher (Oasis), G. Gates … Successful despite or because of their stuttering? Positive (& negative) Aspects of Stuttering – Advantages and Disadvantages Nicht jeder Zwerg wird ein Feldheer und nicht jeder Stotterer ein Großmeister der Sprache. Aber Stotterer und Zwerge sind stärker als Schöne und Gesunde motiviert, eine geniale Begabung in die geniale Leistung umzusetzen. Wolf Schneider (*1925) German Author & Journalist

Better listeners? Better listeners? Fear of exams mainly focussed on speech? Bonus of pity/sympathy? Fear of exams mainly focussed on speech? Bonus of pity/sympathy? easier to get a withdrawal from (army) service? easier to get a withdrawal from (army) service? sympathetic (showing weaknesses), cute, charming, sexy (!?) sympathetic (showing weaknesses), cute, charming, sexy (!?) better self-perception and analysis? better self-perception and analysis? watches his/her fellow men more intensive (but interprets the information wrongly – not advantageously – very often) watches his/her fellow men more intensive (but interprets the information wrongly – not advantageously – very often) Stuttering as sign post? … (Where fear is, there is the path …) Stuttering as sign post? … (Where fear is, there is the path …) easier self-search and – in the end – self-discovery? easier self-search and – in the end – self-discovery? stop of thoughts – involuntarily into a meditative situation? stop of thoughts – involuntarily into a meditative situation? Rolandisches Operculum – malfunction or advancement? Rolandisches Operculum – malfunction or advancement? Positive (& negative) Aspects of Stuttering – Advantages and Disadvantages

M. Winkler Budapest Oct 2009 Fear can appear in various and sometimes very subtle forms self-perception (and honesty/sincerity) important Fear can appear in various and sometimes very subtle forms self-perception (and honesty/sincerity) important Fear of Fear of - illness and death question Am I feeling too good? - unemployment too much work - boredom (negative) stress - being lonesome too much closeness - getting fat getting slim (fear of starving ) - speaking not speaking (fear of silence even) Aim: Equilibrium - Balance Aim: Equilibrium - Balance Fear and Stuttering First of all I believe that nothing is impossible, and at the same time I could question everything. What is Perfect balance ? … A perfect yogi can have strong imagination and equally strong reason. Sri Aurobindo ( ) Indian revolutionary, writer, philosopher, mystic There is no courage without fear.

Hauptproblem (Hauptursache?) ANGST Wenn ich alle die Gefühle und ihren qualvollen Widerstreit auf ein Grundgefühl zurückführen und mit einem einzigen Namen bezeichnen sollte, so wüßte ich kein anderes Wort als: Angst. Angst war es, Angst und Unsicherheit, was ich in allen jenen Stunden des gestörten Kinderglücks empfand: Angst vor Strafe, Angst vor dem eigenen Gewissen, Angst vor Regungen meiner Seele, die ich als verboten und verbrecherisch empfand. Hermann Hesse ( ) dt. Schriftsteller, Literatur-Nobelpreisträger aus Hermann Hesse, Kinderseele (um 1919), zitiert nach Alice Miller (*1923), Das Drama des begabten Kindes (1979)

Practical things & … for self-help groups 1. What is my problem/challenge? 2. Why do I want to share things with other people? 3. Do I want to share my experiences - get new information, give my own knowledge? 4. Will I define an aim/target when I will leave the group? find people you can really work with – a self-help group is not something that shall make you feel cosy or pushy (with stuttering) but comfortable with the situation, it is neither a family life nor work life but more like a community of friends find people you can really work with – a self-help group is not something that shall make you feel cosy or pushy (with stuttering) but comfortable with the situation, it is neither a family life nor work life but more like a community of friends better to work with less people than in a group with people who have reached different stages, might be necessary to meet again in small groups (e.g. two people) to do your own thing … like going on holiday with a group of ten people – it is not necessary to do all in a group but to do it and then to share better to work with less people than in a group with people who have reached different stages, might be necessary to meet again in small groups (e.g. two people) to do your own thing … like going on holiday with a group of ten people – it is not necessary to do all in a group but to do it and then to share try to be open, honest … do things as long as possible with little money try to be open, honest … do things as long as possible with little money You are not alone … if you learn how to be happy alone

Practical things & … for parents, teachers, recent & forthcoming therapists 1. What is my problem/challenge? 2. How does the other person feel? What are the problems/challenges of the person who stutters, what of the person who listens? Ideal situation -> everyone tackles his/her own problems Ideal situation -> everyone tackles his/her own problems very often the real situation -> one persons sees his/her own problems reflected by the other and tries to change the other persons problems instead of his/her own -> counterproductive approach which will prolong the suffering and confusion very often the real situation -> one persons sees his/her own problems reflected by the other and tries to change the other persons problems instead of his/her own -> counterproductive approach which will prolong the suffering and confusion parents: try to understand what your problem is with the stuttering of your child, try to focus on the things the child likes to do … focussing on speech only will worsen the problem parents: try to understand what your problem is with the stuttering of your child, try to focus on the things the child likes to do … focussing on speech only will worsen the problem teachers: treat a child who stutters as normal as everyone … situations may decide what solution is best, ask the person who stutters what he/she wants and how he/she would tackle the possible problem teachers: treat a child who stutters as normal as everyone … situations may decide what solution is best, ask the person who stutters what he/she wants and how he/she would tackle the possible problem therapists: if possible have a 15-minute meeting before you start any therapy – get clear what the client thinks his/her problem is, what he/she wants to reach within the therapy and what you can offer … better no client than wrong expectations which will in the end also harm your other work due to possible dissatisfaction therapists: if possible have a 15-minute meeting before you start any therapy – get clear what the client thinks his/her problem is, what he/she wants to reach within the therapy and what you can offer … better no client than wrong expectations which will in the end also harm your other work due to possible dissatisfaction

Practical things & … For the person who stutters (personal list) techniques to modify your speech & speaking (soft use of voice, voluntary stuttering, etc. – e.g. van Riper, Hausdörfer, Richter) techniques to modify your speech & speaking (soft use of voice, voluntary stuttering, etc. – e.g. van Riper, Hausdörfer, Richter) reduction of fear by PR work / awareness raising (information booth, InVivo exercises such as surveys, using the radio etc. – W. Wendlandt) reduction of fear by PR work / awareness raising (information booth, InVivo exercises such as surveys, using the radio etc. – W. Wendlandt) Literature (about stuttering, psychology, sociology, philosophy, fiction, esoteric books, etc.) Literature (about stuttering, psychology, sociology, philosophy, fiction, esoteric books, etc.) Going abroad (getting away from the known social environment) Going abroad (getting away from the known social environment) Breathing- and relaxation exercises, Yoga (asanas, meditation), Biomeditation, Alternative medicine, family constellations, etc. Breathing- and relaxation exercises, Yoga (asanas, meditation), Biomeditation, Alternative medicine, family constellations, etc. Diet (food, vegetarian/non-vegetarian, much meat etc.) – Awareness of several aspects of life Diet (food, vegetarian/non-vegetarian, much meat etc.) – Awareness of several aspects of life writing about stuttering (diary, short stories, song lyrics, internet forum etc.) writing about stuttering (diary, short stories, song lyrics, internet forum etc.) Not forgetting:DISTANCE to the things (letting go) focus on SUCCESSES HUMOUR (laughing about oneself) LOVE for yourself and others Not forgetting:DISTANCE to the things (letting go) focus on SUCCESSES HUMOUR (laughing about oneself) LOVE for yourself and others Making a survey on stuttering, 2006 Three things I can recommend – personal Top-3-list without much or no money, not taking much time: 1.Psychic … say Good Morning to at least five people you dont know in the morning 2.Physical … have 1-3 glasses of warm water in the morning before breakfast 3.Mental … write down experiences you have with stuttering Love, work and knowledge are the well-springs of our life. They should also govern it. Wilhelm Reich ( ) Austrian researcher (physics, psychoanalysis, Freudomarxism, etc.)

M. Winkler Budapest Oct 2009 Stuttering person Family Society … and again (own) Theory … The Human Being and Society Stuttering person Family Society Gesell- schaft Familie Stuttering person Family Society Stuttering Person & Family & Society Dissolving the borders Individualisation (Ego) Capitalism Emancipation, etc. Collectivization Tradition etc. Urbanisation Transition Matriarchy/ Patriarchy, etc. Collectivization so-called Socialism (failed so far) new form of Society Separation (Ego)

M. Winkler Budapest Oct 2009 Last but not least … At the Beginning of the 21th Century technical changes changing human beings e.g. Telephone (flatrate), radio, television, Internet technical changes changing human beings e.g. Telephone (flatrate), radio, television, Internet Transformation of the Labour world e.g. so-called unemployment, basic income Transformation of the Labour world e.g. so-called unemployment, basic income … How do I change myself/get I changed? Will I be changed at all? Advantages/Disadvantages? Challenges & chances for people who stutter?

M. Winkler Budapest Oct 2009 General thoughts and questions … for making me and you think What structure of organisation is the most efficient in order to work on stuttering? Verein ( reg. association) – initiative – (loose) network? What structure of organisation is the most efficient in order to work on stuttering? Verein ( reg. association) – initiative – (loose) network? Verein – pros & cons? (Vereins-)family as support or cage/island? Verein – pros & cons? (Vereins-)family as support or cage/island? Initiatives and networks in their work too inconstant/irregular? Initiatives and networks in their work too inconstant/irregular? How to apply for finances not being a Verein (association)? How to apply for finances not being a Verein (association)? How to maintain (ones own) motivation without being discouraged and losing energy due to bureaucracy and/or Vereinsmeierei and/or egoisms of members (e.g. self-promotion)? How to maintain (ones own) motivation without being discouraged and losing energy due to bureaucracy and/or Vereinsmeierei and/or egoisms of members (e.g. self-promotion)? What role does money play at all? What role does money play at all? How can one do self help work with little money? How can one do self help work with little money? How can everyone find her/his optimal way of self help? How can everyone find her/his optimal way of self help? … many more question for the future … many more question for the future

M. Winkler Budapest Oct 2009 Example for a Awareness Raising Campagne I stuttered.

M. Winkler Budapest Oct 2009 Campagne Bundeskongress 2008 Dresden Ideen für das Motto des Bundeskongresses 2008 WO DIE ANGST IST, DA IST DER WEG. ICH LIEBE MEIN STOTTERN, DENN ES ZEIGT MIR MEINEN WEG. IST STOTTERN GESELLSCHAFTSFÄHIG?

M. Winkler Budapest Oct 2009 Last but not least … some quotations We dont teach values, we live them. Wir lehren keine Werte, wir leben sie. Original author unknown We cant teach what we dont know. Wir können nicht lehren, was wir nicht wissen. (

M. Winkler Budapest Oct 2009 Tel.: (Dresden) Further documents (about half of them in English): Presentation can be sent with an , and also forwarded to interested people Copyleft Thank you very much for your attention … Questions? – Feel free to ask/write … Life is worth being lived but not worth being discussed all the time. Isabelle Adjani (* 1955) French actress

M. Winkler Budapest Oct 2009 Sources & Copyright/Copyleft F 1 &Aristoteles: F 9Demosthenes: Isaac Newton: Lewis Carroll: Charles Darwin: (altes Bild) Franz Kafka: Marilyn Monroe: Winston Churchill: Julia Roberts: Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean): Noel Gallagher (Oasis): F 1 &Aristoteles: F 9Demosthenes: Isaac Newton: Lewis Carroll: Charles Darwin: (altes Bild) Franz Kafka: Marilyn Monroe: Winston Churchill: Julia Roberts: Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean): Noel Gallagher (Oasis): F 1 F 1http://trabant.shocauto.com/images/U2_Trabant_concert1.jpg; F 7Book Bernays Propaganda: Edward L. Bernays: F 7Book Bernays Propaganda: Edward L. Bernays: F 8Søren Aabye Kierkegaard: F 8Søren Aabye Kierkegaard: F 9Wolf Schneider: (altes Bild) F 9Wolf Schneider: (altes Bild) F 11Hermann Hesse: F 11Hermann Hesse: F 13Felsen: Yin & Yang: F 13Felsen: Yin & Yang: F 15TV show: F 15TV show: Wilhelm Reich: F 19Marilyn Monroe: F 19Marilyn Monroe: F 22Isabelle Adjani: F 22Isabelle Adjani: All other images were designed and generated by the author.