February Meeting Recap

by Spring Kwok | Feb 25, 2018 | Recaps

Thank you to everyone who came out last Wednesday for our February meeting. Despite it not being our regular meeting day (because of President’s Day), we still had an amazing turnout with over 25 people in attendance, including about 8 new comers and plenty of old-timers. After we read opening words and did introductions, we split up into 3 groups of about 8 people each. After the meeting, as per usual, many of us went over to Juniper, our trusty old bar that we go to after every meeting, and talked and stuttered even more. Below is a quick recap of a few things we discussed in our groups.

Advertising

In one group, people shared that they didn’t like to advertise because they felt it was simply stating the obvious, that there is no point in telling people what they already know. While in another group, members felt that advertising was necessary in order to take ownership of the situation. Despite the different opinions, both groups also brought up that when we tell people we stutter, we are telling them so much more. The way we talk about it also communicates how we feel about it – and by extension how we hope the listener will respond to it. If we act like it’s okay with us, it indicates to the other person that it can be okay with them too. This can lower our own discomfort very effectively, and also theirs. When people respond poorly to advertising, it’s often because they’re picking up that we are ashamed to be advertising or to be stuttering. Usually people react well, and especially so if we feel good about ourselves when we advertise.

Regret and Fear

As people who stutter, we have experienced fear of being held back because of stuttering. And when this fear actually manifests itself, we feel regret. As shared by one group, we can be so afraid of stuttering that we opt out of a class we want to take, speak a second language, and choose specific field to work in. In retrospect, we wish we hadn’t let fear of stuttering hold us back. But when it does hold us back, it is okay too. Because as validated in one group, our experiences of stuttering are very real. There is such a psychology behind growing up and feeling like you don’t have a voice. However, a few things to always remember is that it is never too late and that you are never alone.

Stuttering Community

 One topic that was brought up in every group was the importance of this stuttering community. These friendships inside can help alleviate our shame. When we respect and value other stutters, it can make it easier to respect and value ourselves. In one group, we shared how humbling our first meeting can be. To be around so many people who stutter can help us normalize stuttering in our own lives. From being a better listener to developing lifelong friendships, we can learn so much each other.

Exciting Announcement about our first Women’s Group on March 5th!

Have you ever arrived to a stuttering support group and thought, “Wow, look at all these cool people who stutter. But why are there only five women and nineteen men here?” You’re not out of your mind — the math backs you up! Out of every five adults who stutter, only one is female. On March 5th @7-9pm at ART (Manhattan meeting space) we will host a special group meeting to give women who stutter a restorative space to connect and share with one another. ALL women who stutter are welcome. Feel free to shoot us an email (nycstutters@gmail.com) with any questions or concerns.

• Monday, March 5 at 7-9pm
• 520 Eighth Avenue, 3rd Floor (Room D)

Next Manhattan Meeting

Our next Manhattan meeting will be back on our regular 3rd Monday of the month.

• Monday, March 19 at 7:30-9pm
• 520 Eighth Avenue, 3rd Floor

Next Brooklyn Meeting

 If you are looking for additional meetings, the Brooklyn chapter meets on the 2nd Monday of every month in downtown Brooklyn.

• Monday, March 12 at 7:30-9pm
• 30 Third Avenue

Getting Involed: We value each member of our community and are always looking for new ways to expand our chapter. If you have an idea that you’d like to share, or would like to get involved, please email us. We’d love to hear from you!

Until next month..

– Manhattan Chapter Leaders

“April” Meeting Recap

by Spring Kwok | May 10, 2017 | Recaps

Recap: 

On Monday May 1st, our Manhattan chapter met for our long awaited “April” meeting. We had 21 people show up, all of whom were people who stutter, including two first timers (welcome Daniel and Mark!). After getting settled with opening words and brief introductions, we split up into 3 smaller groups for intimate discussions.

Within each group, we talked about similar topics of shame and avoidance. One of the groups touched on how the amount of shame we feel might not be necessarily correlated to how much we’re stuttering. It can also be dependent on our surroundings and how we are treated. In another group, members opened up about avoidance behaviors and destructive thoughts following shame. Wherever we are in our journey, most of us agreed that the vulnerability and affinity we share and experience in these meetings is something special.

Thank you to everyone who came and we can’t wait to see you all again!

NYC Stutters Conference:

The NYC chapters of the National Stuttering Association are holding our 2nd annual stuttering conference! This is a conference for people who stutter by people who stutter. It will be on Sunday, May 28th, and we would love for you to join us!

This will be an introspective day for all people who stutter from all walks of life to reflect, connect, and grow with stuttering, with oneself, and with one another. There will be interactive workshops, with free lunch and lots of time to socialize. So if you haven’t already, tickets are available here on Eventbrite! You can also go to our conference website for more detail. (Please let us know if you are hesitant to come because of cost – we want to accommodate everyone, so feel free to reach out to manhattanstutters@gmail.com if so.)

Another reason to attend.. The organization SAY, the Stuttering Association for the Young, is offering anyone going to the NYC Stutters conference a free ticket to their gala performance on Monday, May 22. Here’s all the info from SAY. A few of us have worked with them in the past and they’re doing awesome things with kids who stutter.

• For 15 years now, SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young has held an annual gala fundraiser to celebrate children who stutter and the adults that inspire them. This year, SAY has partnered with us at NYC Stutters to offer complimentary gala performance tickets to our participants!
• So, if you are attending our conference, you can also attend the SAY Gala performance for free on Monday, May 22. Click here to learn more about the gala, which will include celebrity guests and musical performances. To obtain tickets to the SAY Gala, be sure to RSVP by emailing Ryan (ryan@say.org) before May 16

Next Meeting:

Date – Monday, May 22 (Same day as SAY gala)

Time – 7:30 to 9:00 pm

Address – 520 Eighth Avenue, between 36th and 37th Streets

Instructions – Please arrive at 7:15pm if possible. There may be a short line to get past security. At the security desk, say you are going to A.R.T./New York on the 3rd floor. (This is the Alliance of Resident Theatres.) For security purposes, you will need to present a photo ID and have your picture taken. Take the left side elevators to get to the 3rd floor. On the 3rd floor, follow the signs to Studio B.