We were 5 people in attendance.  Bill Parry and his wife, Marilyn, Allan Cohen, Bill Collins and I.  This date was close to the actual 30th anniversary of the first chapter meeting and Bill shared some facts about that event (see separate article about the anniversary).

I read a page from the book “Setting My Words Free. Inspirational Messages for Adults Who Stutter” by Vince Markowsky.  “Day 14” talks about the difference between “stutterer” and “person who stutters”, the difference between something you are and something you happen to do.  We had a lot of things to say.  We all agreed that advertising helps because you take control of telling people that you are a person who happens to stutter.  Advertising helps you change how people view you.

Bill Parry and Allan are both speech language pathologists and they talked about different approaches they have used in treating people who stutter.

We also talked about the annual national conference and our different experiences.  Last year’s was my first conference and I have a lot great memories from it.  Bill Collins and I recall feeling overwhelmed physically and mentally, all the people we met, seeing families and children who stutter, the workshops and evening activities.