Sharing Arizona with friends

Last week, I let the kids play hooky from school! It was well worth it because a friend of ours, Sarah, was in town from frigid Boston.

We had the good fortune to meet Sarah thanks to the National Stuttering Association, where she takes charge of many of the kid activities at the annual conferences.  Over the last 3 years, we've gotten to know her better and think she is awesome!

She stutters, and is an ELL teacher, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of the NSA.  When Nate's teachers mentioned earlier this year that they couldn't imagine a teacher stuttering, I wished I could teleport Sarah into their classrooms so she could show them that it was no big deal!

One of the things that I like about Sarah is that she is extremely kind and considerate towards everyone. She really takes the time to listen, especially to kids! She has taken a genuine interest in my 3, but I know that if you asked any parent whose kids spent some time with her they would say the same thing!

We were excited to show her the Desert Botanical Gardens during her stay in our lovely, warm state and she and her sweet friend had a great day.  My kids shared their wealth of knowledge about Arizona and I know that if nothing else -- the sunshine and warmth were highlights of their day.

On our way home, Lydia piped up from the back seat -- "I really like Sarah's stutter!" and Nate said "I liked being able to spend the day with someone else who stuttered!"  It reminded me again how grateful I am that we found the National Stuttering Association.  It's allowed us to meet the most amazing and wonderful people and build fabulous friendships.  Along the way, we've learned quite a bit about stuttering -- mainly that it just doesn't matter if someone stutters!  No matter who you are, or what your gifts are, all that matters is how you treat others.

Sarah is a shining example of a wonderful person that I'm glad my kids look up to.  She makes our world a better place. If she didn't stutter, we probably never would have met -- so I'm also grateful for Nate's stutter and her own!

Can't Wait! #NSAinAZ13

Phoenix Family Fun Day NSA

Nate and I attended the Phoenix Family Fun Day at ASU Campus in Tempe AZ this past weekend.  This was the third year we've attended, and it was great again!

The day before I ended up in the hospital -- thanks to kidney stones AGAIN! I was at lunch with friends, and they ended up taking me to the emergency room where I was given massive doses of painkillers and basically told to go home and wait. (Aside: I know there isn't much they can do, and I was grateful that the stones this time are small enough that they should pass easily, but I was not happy with my care this time.)

Anyway, we had this day planned for a long time, so even though I was still in pain and dopey from painkillers, I had Bo drop us off in the morning so we could attend.  It was great seeing some of the national staff, as well as seeing both of Nate's SLPs attend. (There's another component geared towards SLP where they can earn CEUs.)  We also got to meet a bunch of new people (was kinda sad that people we've met in the past weren't able to attend this year.)

In the end, I was glad we went. Nate had a good time, as always, with the kid activities.  There were 2 informative topics discussed - the new common core standards and how they will affect kids who stutter and then a psychologist spoke about coping with stuttering within a family.  Finally, Nate and I were both on a panel with adult people who stutter and we both answered questions from the audience. 

The best part, though, were the people who came up and recognized Nate from his videos, or his spots on the NSA website and newsletters.  One mom said that her son's SLP said they should come because they "might meet Nate!", and they did!  Her son's SLP had shown her son Nate's videos and interested him in making a presentation to his class.  Nate was also approached by some SLP students who said they watch his videos in class and one sweet girl even asked him for his autograph.  

We can't wait for the annual conference in July!  I'm so excited it will be held in Scottsdale so my entire family can experience the power of the NSA finally!

National Stuttering Conference 2012

I had intended to write posts while Nate & I were in St. Petersburg for the National Stuttering Conference, but we were so busy and there were new things to absorb, so I didn't write while I was there.

We've been back for a couple weeks now, and thoughts have been bouncing around in my head!

This was our second conference.  Last year, I wrote about what a wonderful experience we had at the conference.  This year, it was wonderful once again, but in different ways.

Last year, I was a bit overwhelmed by all the people, all the workshops and all the new ideas.  This year, I wasn't as overwhelmed and was able to spend more time meeting people, while still learning quite a bit.

One thing that helped was getting to know people through Facebook and Twitter in the year since last year's conference.  It felt great to connect again with people we met last year, to put faces to Twitter/Facebook accounts, and meet some brand new faces.  I confess I still felt a bit overwhelmed, and wish I could have spent more time / gotten to know more people better.  The good news is that next summer and I'll have another opportunity to connect with the amazing people that make up the NSA.

Nate and I presented together a workshop about Empowering Children.  Tammy Flores (Executive Director of the National Stuttering Association) let him know that he was the youngest presenter she ever had present at the conferences, which impressed Nate.  We talked about ways that Nate has become empowered over the last few years, and strategies that others could potentially use. Nate did a fantastic job -- I had him introduce us and then he spoke throughout the presentation and also fielded questions from the audience.

He & I both attended various workshops -- sometimes he went to the kid workshops and a couple times he came along with me to the adult workshops.  He had fun with the kids, and made a few fast friends.

One of the things I most enjoyed this year was sitting in an "Open Mic" workshop.  This was a workshop that encouraged people to stand up in front of a group and share their story.  It was very interesting to listen to the wide array of stories from a very diverse population -- who all had stuttering in common.  It was powerful for everyone involved.

It's hard to describe the friendliness and openness of the participants of this conference, but you feel cared about.  I also enjoy watching everyone patiently listening to each other and communicating -- disfluent or fluent.  That is something that is rare, as people usually are trying to rush those who stutter along.

Nate was asked to speak at the closing ceremonies.  It's something that made him nervous, but also extremely proud.  He took the time to plan out what he wanted to say and when it came time -- he stood up there proudly and delivered a wonderful speech about what the NSA means to him.  Did I mention there were around 700 people at the conference this year?  He spoke to a full ballroom of people, and didn't flinch.   He was happy to share his story, and was a bit surprised at all the people telling him later at how well he did.  He did enjoy the attention, however!

Next year, the conference is here in our home state of Arizona -- and I am thrilled that my entire family will be able to attend.  While traveling solo with Nate is fun, I want my husband and other children to experience the NSA Nation!

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National Stuttering Conference 2012, VLog

Nate & I were in St. Petersburg last week for the National Stuttering Association National Conference.  I intended to post while we were there, but never found the time.  Nate shot this video the morning we left St. Petersburg.



I have a couple posts I want to write about the conference last week, but I've been working all week and haven't had a chance to gather my thoughts.  Hopefully this weekend I'll have a few minutes to write.

Nate's Thoughts on Stuttering

Today, Nate & I attended the NSA sponsored Stuttering Youth Day event at ASU.  It just happened to coincide with International Stuttering Awareness Day!

We had a wonderful morning at the event (I'll share more in a couple days) and then headed over to a pumpkin patch so the kids get find pumpkins, and then to the Phoenix Food Truck Festival to finish up our long day.  I tell you all of this as a preface, so you know that he made this video after a long day!  He wanted to share his message, though, so here it is!

Stuttering Awareness Day - October 22

October 22 is International Stuttering Awareness Day. The sweet boy pictured above is the reason I even know such a day exists.

Nate stutters.  He has stuttered since he was about 3 years old, and has had speech therapy for the last 2 years.  His stutter never stops him from communicating with others, or sharing his story.  He just keeps trying until he finally is able to get all the words out.

Last October, I saw a mention of a "Stuttering Youth Day" at ASU someplace online.  I looked into it further, and registered for the event.  I had never heard of the National Stuttering Association (NSA) before then, but I wanted to learn more about how to help Nate stop stuttering.

I learned so much at that morning event.  Most importantly, I learned that the important thing is NOT helping Nate stop stuttering -- but to accept his stutter as an integral part of who he is.  I learned about research done about stuttering, and how it is unlike most other speech impediments.  I learned that people who stutter make up only about 1% of the population.  I learned how much my boy liked listening to others who stutter.

That doesn't mean that we don't want to help him learn tools to control his stutter when he makes the choice to do so.  Stuttering affects him physically and sometimes is very uncomfortable.  Many people don't want to take the time to let him finish his own sentences.  Others are just plain rude when he tries to communicate.  But, we acknowledge that he will probably always stutter.  And, that's okay!

Learning about the NSA, and the local kids chapter in our area, has made a huge difference in how we think about stuttering, and what we know about stuttering.  We happily attended events locally, and then made the effort to attend the National Conference over the summer.  Nate has now met tons of people who stutter and he is richer because of it.

Right now, Nate is struggling mightily with his speech.  The speech therapist he had been working with moved to a different school and he's not clicking with the new SLP.  He finds it hard to remember to use his tools and his secondary behaviors are very strong these days (physical manifestations of his stutter that cause him to strain his neck and shoulders and bob his head). We can always understand him, but more often he is asking us to order for him at restaurants to avoid the entire situation of trying to order a meal.

What I know, though -- thanks to the NSA and all the wonderful people we have met through the NSA -- is that his speech will get better, and maybe even worse.  But, there are those who will support him.  Help him.  Those who are just like him and struggle with fluent speech.  He can be in touch with others who truly understand what it's like to stutter.

Tomorrow , Nate and I are attending our 2nd Youth Day Event.  Nate is looking forward to it, and plans to wear his sea-green shirt (the awareness color for stuttering)  We'll both proudly wear our "Stutter Like a Rockstar" bracelets.  We'll learn more about stuttering.  Meet more people who stutter and those who love those who stutter.  Most importantly, we'll be reminded that we are not alone.

Click here to read more of my posts about stuttering. 

Tell Me Thursday - Oscar Winner

It's very possible that you don't recognize the man sitting with Nate.  He is David Seidler, and he won an Oscar for his amazing screenplay for The King's Speech.  He was also the keynote speaker at the National Stuttering Conference this year.

Nate chose to skip the kids' workshop in order to hear him speak.  He told his life story -- of how he stuttered as a child, how he and his family evacuated England during WWII, how he coped with his stutter.  He shared his story beautifully, and I learned a lot about him that I didn't know. He shared that he had promised the Queen Mother not to write King Bertie's story until after she had passed away, and also that he felt it was a mistake to re-release the movie with a PG-13 rating.  (The original movie is rated R for language.  He felt it was completely appropriate in the scene where it was used, and felt that it took away from the story to remove it.)

During his speech, he said "love and support are more important than mechanical devices" when thinking about how to help people who stutter.  I have to say that I wholeheartedly agree with him! 

He was also extremely gracious and took time not only after his speech, but also the following morning to sign autographs and pose for pictures.  This picture was taken the morning before we headed to the airport to fly home.  Definitely a special memory, and a wonderful picture!
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2011 NSA Conference Video

This video was shown at the closing ceremony at the National Stuttering Conference last week.  The gentleman who put it together is very talented, and it is a great video showcasing the fun of the conference.  Nate is shown in a couple different spots, but most noticeable around 4:15.  He was embarrassed when he saw the video, but I love his enthusiasm.



If you're a person who stutters, I can't recommend attending a conference enough. What an amazing way to connect with others who stutter, in an extremely supportive and educational environment.  The conference is in Tampa, FL next year!

Stuttering Conference

Nate and I got back last night from the National Stuttering Association's Annual Conference in Fort Worth, Texas.  It was the first conference we attended, and we had an amazing time.

I have attended various business conferences in the past, but I have to say that the group of people we met at the stuttering conference were some of the nicest, kindest and warmest people I have ever met at a conference!  It was 3 1/2 days of smiles and friendly greetings.

The conference welcomes all ages -- from kids who stutter through adults who stutter and those who love people who stutter.  I was extremely impressed that there were workshops and sessions catering to everyone's different needs and interests.

Throughout the conference, there were sessions set up for the kids ages 7 - 12, as well as teens.  Nate got to meet a cowboy and his horse, practice his roping skills, learn how to juggle, and tons more! While he was in these sessions, I was able to choose from sessions geared specifically to parents, or I could attend sessions geared to adults who stutter or sessions presented by researchers and those who work with people who stutter.  I was a bit overwhelmed by all the choices, but I was grateful that there were so many choices!!

It was interesting to be in groups of parents whose children stutter (and also may stutter themselves), but the research-lover in me also loved being able to learn about the research being done in the stuttering community.  As an added bonus, we also had the amazing opportunity to listen to David Seidler (Oscar-winning screenwriter of "The King's Speech) and were even able to get his autograph.  (more on his speech in a later post and also some of the things I learned)

Nate and I arrived in Texas a day and 1/2 before registration and had the chance to wander around Fort Worth and enjoy the sights.  While the conference was wonderful and I hope we can attend as an entire family next year in Tampa -- I think my favorite part was spending 6 days with Nate one-on-one.  We ate out, talked a TON, enjoyed exploring the streets around the hotel, and watching shows about guns, cars, and insects (just like books - he prefers his television to be non-fiction.)  It was an extremely special experience to spend all that time with just one of my children and get to know him a little better than before.

Before leaving for Texas, Nate knew he wanted a pair of cowboy boots and a cowboy hat.  On our first day there, he found both and was thrilled. He's trying to put on his tough cowboy face in the picture above, but trust me when I tell you his face was more often broken into a wide grin during our visit.

A couple people recognized Nate from his YouTube videos, and while he tried to act humble, I know it thrilled him.  When we talked about the conference, he did say to me "I didn't really learn anything about stuttering -- but it was cool to meet so many people who stuttered!"

I think that's what the conference is all about.  The chance to be in a room filled with others that are like you in a pretty significant way.  The NSA conference made that happen, and they did it wonderfully.

Conferences

I am currently in Texas with Nate attending a stuttering conference. I didn't bring a laptop, thinking I could blog on my phone and iPad, but I'm not so sure about my klutzy fingers.

I have lots to say not only about the conference ( well it just started an hour ago but I'm sure I'll have lots to say) but also about traveling and spending time with just one child vs 3.

I'm missing my other 2 kids though and also my hubby. The best news though is that I am feeling so much better so we can fully embrace this trip.



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