Hi everyone,
On Monday, about fifteen of us met in Brooklyn on a chilly evening (excited for actual spring weather this weekend!). As usual, the conversation went to some unexpected places — here’s what we talked about.
After reading the opening words, a couple members shared some good news about new jobs and karaoke adventures. Then, someone shared that he’s been feeling frustrated with stuttering — and life — lately. It’s also been hard for him to make it to meetings, but we were all really glad that he did. We talked about how life affects our speech, the cycles of stuttering, the feelings of frustration we have toward people who don’t understand, and what it feels like to be in that dark place. It’s hard to find a solution to such a complex problem, but hopefully having a community with other people who stutter can help.
Next, someone brought up some struggles she’s been having at work. She’s advertised to some people (aka told them that she stutters), but she’s not sure if they heard or understood. We talked about how awkward advertising can feel, and she said she’d like to see some kind of video documenting how a bunch of different stutterers advertise. Maybe a future project for our group?
Afterward, we went to the Hollow Nickel down the street to talk some more. As always, it was great to see everyone in our little Brooklyn stuttering community. Are you a first-timer thinking about coming next time? Email us if you have any questions: brooklynstutters@gmail.com. Our next meeting will be on Monday, May 14, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Brooklyn YWCA: 30 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217.
The Manhattan NSA chapter will meet this coming Monday, May 16, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., 520 Eighth Ave (between 36th and 37th Streets), Third Floor (look at the whiteboard outside elevator door for room).
Have a great weekend!
– Emma, Chris, and Darren
P.S. If you’re looking for videos about advertising and stuttering in general, check out Jacquelyn Joyce Revere’s YouTube page and the StutterTalk podcast archives (they also have some videos on YouTube).