View Full Version : Rant (don't likem, don't read)
nerrad
01-30-2009, 09:42 PM
Today I had a presentation that I refused to do. This is the second one in that class where I told her no. So my teacher decided to call my house and cry to call my house and cry about it to my dad. I'm not introuble and my dad isn't forcing me to do it but he wants me too. As of now I have a D in that class because of the presentation. I'm fine with that because I can bring it up. But why are we excpected to do presentations and crap if we stutter? Kids with broken legs aren't excpected to run in p.e.! That's not fair for us because we're at a disadvantage. I didn't sign up to be a teacher anyway so why should I have to educated other people on stuff I'm not responsible for? I still don't get why stuttering isn't considered a disability. I feel really misunderstood.
emily445455
01-30-2009, 10:05 PM
If you go talk to the teacher, counselor, princple...someone, you may not have to do them in the future. Or you could do them one-on-one with the teacher.
Worth a try.
First of all this is a tough thing,its not easy speaking in front of a class when you stutter ,I think you should talk to your teacher and your father and let them know how you feel ,The choice is up to you but if you choose not to do it then you are letting your stuttering win ,in the future ther will be a time when you must face your stuttering ,when you get older and have a job they do expect you to talk regardless of your stutter ,thers no way around it in the real world
grantM
01-31-2009, 12:03 AM
The school and teacher would have to put in place "reasonable adjustments" to cater for you.
nerrad
01-31-2009, 12:47 AM
I wrote a note to my teacher the time before last when I did the presentation. She isn't care, she made me do it anywayz. She's a b*t*h. She's sarcastic about everything and has no sympathy for anyone else. I don't think I'll mind doing presentations in college on up because I'm suppose to be around a more mature group. But in high school, it's a popularity contest. I mite have to transfer outta that class cause she told my mom I'll have a lot more in the future. Maybe if she was nicer and more understanding, I wouldn't mind as much. But she shows no support wut so ever and she keeps us in a hostile environment.
You might want to go right to the Principal and talk to them. That's the only person who can change the way you and your teacher interact. Maybe your parents can help you with that. But Jak is right, later in life your boss would want you to present something and if you refuse, you can be fired.
grantM
01-31-2009, 02:04 AM
Well as I said the school has to make adjustments for you. If not do the American thing and sue, then you will be set up for life
Presentations were the one thing I hated more than anything else in school. I don't want to make a generalization about teachers, but a lot of them are jaded and cynical, it doesn't surprise me that yours doesn't care about your predicament. I know mine didn't.
I would just go ahead and do the presentations, you should hold your head up high and not be ashamed just because you stutter. High School is such a small part of life, those people who judge you or mock you for stuttering will end up with dead-end jobs, still living in the same small town that you all grew up in, while you move on and up in the world. You should try your best to be successful so you can prove everyone wrong.
Trust me, if you don't face your fear of speaking while you can, you will never take control of it and it will take over your life.
grantM
01-31-2009, 02:51 AM
I agree with SST there has to be a point where you make a stand.
nerrad
01-31-2009, 03:31 AM
Yeah I know I've got get over it. But support really helps. I've pretty much come to the conclusion I'm gonna end up a nobody anyway. I don't see it being possible me holding and real job and being a stutterer.
emily445455
01-31-2009, 03:50 AM
I don't see it being possible me holding and real job and being a stutterer.
Stutterers do it all the time.
grantM
01-31-2009, 04:11 AM
Yeah I know I've got get over it. But support really helps. I've pretty much come to the conclusion I'm gonna end up a nobody anyway. I don't see it being possible me holding and real job and being a stutterer.
Man I know it is hard and all but you have to improve your outlook on your life. Every support group, conference or stuttering involved function I go to is full of stutterers who are SOMEBODY and have/have had real jobs. I have met so many successful stutterers ranging from pilots to teachers to welders to nurses etc etc. I also know first hand quite a few university students, doctoral students and PhD holders who are stutterers. You have to do the best with what you have. You have it all going for you except a communication problem. Again I know firsthand i is hard but you have to progress forward.
Count
01-31-2009, 01:55 PM
Today I had a presentation that I refused to do. This is the second one in that class where I told her no. So my teacher decided to call my house and cry to call my house and cry about it to my dad. I'm not introuble and my dad isn't forcing me to do it but he wants me too. As of now I have a D in that class because of the presentation. I'm fine with that because I can bring it up. But why are we excpected to do presentations and crap if we stutter? Kids with broken legs aren't excpected to run in p.e.! That's not fair for us because we're at a disadvantage. I didn't sign up to be a teacher anyway so why should I have to educated other people on stuff I'm not responsible for? I still don't get why stuttering isn't considered a disability. I feel really misunderstood.
That's the same thing I've always thought about back in school! I completely agree with you! :) When I had to do presentations in my class I always ranted at the whole ing world and complained why someone like me has to do public speaking. I've never planned on doing that as a job. There are so many other people who can do that, so why am I forced to speak in public? That's unreasonable and insane.
Your teacher is a typical example for all those people out there who cannot emphasize with us stutterers. And you know what? If you do this presentation she still will give you a bad mark because you couldn't speak fluently and clearly. That's the retarded point about people like your teacher. They don't understand why we don't want to give speeches, and still don't understand when we do them, but stutter.
I could go on and on with my rant because this whole world thinks it is so normal and assumes that everyone living on it has to be normal as well.
Count
01-31-2009, 01:59 PM
Fact of the matter is that I already do it. But alone I cannot reach out to the entire world. It takes other PWS in different parts of the globe to do their part.
Ok, AGOFCR, you will educate South America about stuttering and I do the same in Europe. ;)
nerrad,I used to feel this way when I was your age ,many years ago ,you think you wont have a job ,no future ,never get married etc.. but that is not how it turns out ,we tend to hold ourselves back ,when you accept that you stutter and stop trying to hide it and stop caring what other people think about you ,things will change ,the problem with schools is stuttering is not really considered a disability in school but on the other hand it is ,so your kinda like thrown in the mix because they dont know what to do with you ,you can have a high IQ but cant order A hamburger ,teachers see 100s of kids a day ,you must stand up for yourself because nobody else will ,get yourself some job training ,start early and prepare
Count
01-31-2009, 02:12 PM
I've pretty much come to the conclusion I'm gonna end up a nobody anyway.
Stop this thinking right now! There's no point to believe such a nonsense!
Read this list: http://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/kuster/famous/famouspws.html
Yeah I know I've got get over it. But support really helps. I've pretty much come to the conclusion I'm gonna end up a nobody anyway. I don't see it being possible me holding and real job and being a stutterer.
Of course it's possible to get a real job. You're young, you should get as many jobs as you can now, so you don't have to be like me and wait until you're 21 to get a job, and then have very few references to get a better one. :p
We've all been in your situation, although I can't exactly say I'm successful in the career department, but in other ways I'm rather proud of myself. If you have a better outlook on life, things will go a lot better, trust me.
happy7117
02-01-2009, 06:35 AM
This is what is what it takes . . . .
http://www.avionicsnow.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/4300-411.jpg
....Think about it!
Altitude?? Feeling high in the sky??
Zachary
02-01-2009, 04:31 PM
I have an idea.
Lets take the battle to them. Post the email addresses of the offending teacher and principal. You will most likely be able to find faculty email addresses on the district website, or the school website (which can be found on the district website). Forum members can write messages expressing their concern, their past experiences, and how teachers like the aforementioned have made our lives completely frikken miserable.
From what I've seen, most every poster on this board is a decent writer. We could rock this. We could make a serious statement.
I think this is a good idea.
grantM
02-01-2009, 09:07 PM
I have an idea.
Lets take the battle to them.
EXACTLY! I have been saying this for ages. There are legal frameworks to support you and also every disability board/commission etc in the world. Push the fight forward and be VOCAL about it. It will help raise awareness also
Last night i watched the movie milk.
And now I dont know how to weave it into this thread so i'll try again later. I'm getting old now. Senior moment!!!
Nate
EXACTLY! I have been saying this for ages. There are legal frameworks to support you and also every disability board/commission etc in the world. Push the fight forward and be VOCAL about it. It will help raise awareness also
Watch that movie and u'll get a glimpse of what activism takes. Milk.
but i'm with u...i think a press conference is a little drastic but what do i know?
Nada
Nate
grantM
02-02-2009, 01:49 AM
I was thinking more of a stuttering based terrorist attack on a shopping mall to begin with lol
chris2112
02-02-2009, 02:20 AM
The impact would be better if we stage it on the local television or radio news. A bunch of PWS demanding to speak on the air in order to gain attention and create awareness!!!
;)
Awareness would be good haha. I HATE those stupid faces people make when there confused as to why Im stuck on a word, I mean it isnt that hard to figure out I stutter you dont need to make wierd faces at me! hahah
nerrad
02-02-2009, 03:51 AM
I have an idea.
Lets take the battle to them. Post the email addresses of the offending teacher and principal. You will most likely be able to find faculty email addresses on the district website, or the school website (which can be found on the district website). Forum members can write messages expressing their concern, their past experiences, and how teachers like the aforementioned have made our lives completely frikken miserable.
From what I've seen, most every poster on this board is a decent writer. We could rock this. We could make a serious statement.
I think this is a good idea.
Yeah this sounds like a good idea, but I don't wanna risk getting introuble for giving out school/staff information like that. It would be good payback for all the shit they've put me through all these years. It would be cool to make a movement for stutterers too. Right now I'm feeling really stressed and crappy cause the presentations tomorrow. Ever been so scared about a presentation that ud rather just die cause there's no way out?
Ever been so scared about a presentation that ud rather just die cause there's no way out?
Look at it this way, high school is fantasy land. Once you're out in the real world, people don't have much sympathy for our problems.
I was thinking more of a stuttering based terrorist attack on a shopping mall to begin with lol
Does anyone remember that movie "Red Dawn"? We could have a "Stuttering Dawn".
Zachary
02-02-2009, 07:31 PM
Yeah this sounds like a good idea, but I don't wanna risk getting in trouble for giving out school/staff information like that.
Completely understandable ;) grantM is right though, every disability board/commission in the nation would be behind you. And the school website is public, correct?
Ever been so scared about a presentation that you'd rather just die cause there's no way out?
Yes, I'm very familiar with the feeling. I think everyone here is :p Its also the reason why something like this needs to happen. The dread you are experiencing could have easily been prevented by the teacher.
How many stutterers do you think she has taught during her career as a teacher? She's not a fool ... ;)
How many stutterers do you think she has taught during her career as a teacher? She's not a fool ... ;)
She's probably cynical to people's problems. I've known several teachers like that. Let's just say they probably wouldn't have won Teach of the Year, hehe.
nerrad
02-02-2009, 09:01 PM
She's probably cynical to people's problems. I've known several teachers like that. Let's just say they probably wouldn't have won Teach of the Year, hehe.
No... The is just straight crazy. And yes the school website is public.
nerrad
02-03-2009, 08:42 PM
I did my presentation today. I did horrible. I wouldve did a lot worse if I didn't skip stuff and didn't change words I was suppose to say. Now we have to do another one on Thursday! I swear she's trying to kill me. And it's such a pointless presentation. I'm thinking about transfering out of the class but they'd have to switch around my whole schedule which I don't want to do. So it's either that, or fail, or complain to my counselor I'm having too much trouble in that class.
Be YOURSELF
02-04-2009, 12:19 PM
I did my presentation today. I did horrible. I wouldve did a lot worse if I didn't skip stuff and didn't change words I was suppose to say. Now we have to do another one on Thursday! I swear she's trying to kill me. And it's such a pointless presentation. I'm thinking about transfering out of the class but they'd have to switch around my whole schedule which I don't want to do. So it's either that, or fail, or complain to my counselor I'm having too much trouble in that class.
Its not like you are mute and she is forcing you to speak. Stuttering is confusing to every one, she probably thinks you can speak and only stutter at times, which is acceptable to her.
Well done for doing it. Presentations are the ultimate speaking situation. Take full advantage of it else the opportunity wont be there when older and it will be harder to deal with it. This is your chance to tackle the stammer and bring it down. It can reduce your stammer, and force you to speak assertively, think, if you do presentations everyday of the week, it will give you the confidence and show you more about your stutter and how to be fluent, you will become a good speaker and presenter. You will just have to go through a few weeks of stutteriing.
My only regret is i wish i had dealt with it when i had the opportunity.
nerrad
02-04-2009, 06:38 PM
Its not like you are mute and she is forcing you to speak. Stuttering is confusing to every one, she probably thinks you can speak and only stutter at times, which is acceptable to her.
Well done for doing it. Presentations are the ultimate speaking situation. Take full advantage of it else the opportunity wont be there when older and it will be harder to deal with it. This is your chance to tackle the stammer and bring it down. It can reduce your stammer, and force you to speak assertively, think, if you do presentations everyday of the week, it will give you the confidence and show you more about your stutter and how to be fluent, you will become a good speaker and presenter. You will just have to go through a few weeks of stutteriing.
My only regret is i wish i had dealt with it when i had the opportunity.
I don't think I'll be as scared to do it in college because I'm around a more mature group. But in high school, if ur not like everyone else, ur shunned and mocked. I'd rather just not do it. And it's not like I'm just nervous right before the presentation, I'm stressing about it the moment I find out. Do u know how much stress that is? I haven't had peace since Tuesday of last week. 3 or 4 presentations a year, I think I can handle. But one a week, I can't.
I don't think I'll be as scared to do it in college because I'm around a more mature group. But in high school, if ur not like everyone else, ur shunned and mocked. I'd rather just not do it. And it's not like I'm just nervous right before the presentation, I'm stressing about it the moment I find out. Do u know how much stress that is? I haven't had peace since Tuesday of last week. 3 or 4 presentations a year, I think I can handle. But one a week, I can't.
I'm in uni and have a presentation in a week.. I found out about it umm about two weeks ago or something and I definitely know how much stress it is. For the first week I couldn't stop thinking about it and even the idea of speaking in front of 50 people made me sick. Still can't get rid of the anxious feeling. Now I'm not panicking anymore though, I've accepted that my only choice is to do it, unless I want to give up my studies.
I wish I had practised more in high school, I actually used to think the same you do, I won't be scared to do it in the future...well, it isn't any less scary now. I guess the best way to get rid of any fear is to face it right?
JDRow
02-04-2009, 08:06 PM
Have you talked to the principal or your guidance counselor? Is there somebody in the school who is in charge of services for students with disabilities? Before considering going to the media, I'd talk to somebody other than your teacher. If the presentations are causing you a lot of stress, you shouldn't be forced to do them. I'm pretty sure stuttering would be considered a disability and she'd have to make accommodations for you. You should at least have the option of not having to present in front of the entire class.
It sounds like your teacher doesn't understand stuttering or how serious this is for you, which is understandable. But if you're going to be miserable the rest of the school year because of the presentations, I'd talk to somebody like the principal or the guidance counselor who might know more about what accommodations you're entitled to.
nerrad
02-05-2009, 03:32 AM
Have you talked to the principal or your guidance counselor? Is there somebody in the school who is in charge of services for students with disabilities? Before considering going to the media, I'd talk to somebody other than your teacher. If the presentations are causing you a lot of stress, you shouldn't be forced to do them. I'm pretty sure stuttering would be considered a disability and she'd have to make accommodations for you. You should at least have the option of not having to present in front of the entire class.
It sounds like your teacher doesn't understand stuttering or how serious this is for you, which is understandable. But if you're going to be miserable the rest of the school year because of the presentations, I'd talk to somebody like the principal or the guidance counselor who might know more about what accommodations you're entitled to.
I'm going to talk to my speech therapist about it. Hopefully she pulls me out of the class we're doing presentations in tomorrow. My mom called the teacher today but she never called back. I told my mom to call the guidance counselor to see if I can have my class changed but I guess she wants to talk with my teacher first. But idk; I'm not feeling too happy with life right now. Stuttering really does ruin everything.
I don't think I'll be as scared to do it in college because I'm around a more mature group. But in high school, if ur not like everyone else, ur shunned and mocked. I'd rather just not do it. And it's not like I'm just nervous right before the presentation, I'm stressing about it the moment I find out. Do u know how much stress that is? I haven't had peace since Tuesday of last week. 3 or 4 presentations a year, I think I can handle. But one a week, I can't.
I think anyone who is older than you and out of high school can sympathize about how stressful it is to be a stutterer. But putting things off until college won't make it easier. There's even less sympathy in the real world, even for stutterers.
Do you think people really are that shallow to judge you harshly for being a stutterer? I'm assuming those people you're in school with have known you for many years, I think they know you stutter. There are some assholes who mock or tease you, I'm sure, but most people aren't that cruel.
Most of us here have had many dark days, myself included. Each of us thinks our experiences are the worst ever, but really, I think we all have the same things in common.
Be YOURSELF
02-05-2009, 05:19 PM
"Two little mice fell in a bucket of cream. The first mouse quickly gave up and drowned. The second mouse, wouldn't quit. He struggled so hard that eventually he churned that cream into butter and crawled out. Gentlemen, as of this moment, I am that second mouse."
Majority of us stutterers give up too too easily,we should face our fears NOW, and at the end, we will succeed in speaking however we want. maybe we just don't want it enough, we would rather sit, dream and wait...wait.... for a miracle.
Struggle, struggle, struggle, become immune to the pain and your fluency will be achievable
I did my presentation today.
i cut out the last bits coz theres no use re-iterating negative critiques. onece in my book is enough.
Nerrad, let me say i am proud of u. even though u think u did horribly i wont be suprised if she gives u an A for effort.
Speaking as someone who is older, almost 10 yrs your senior, i wish i had someone push me a little to do things that i was afraid of. i know at the time it seems like torture but in the long run it'll really help u. it'll teach u about pushing yourself, about accepting failure, and lastly about facing fear.
u r a man, u r going to have a family that u have to protect. coz thats what we do.u want your sons and daughters to grow up brave and strong and they'll learn it from u.
as a teen i didn't think too far ahead, in fact my foresight extended to my next meal, as i got older it was the weekend, and then christmas. but know, i look ahead, into my future, and that of my family and i see that its going to be long hard road and i have to be prepared for it.
there's no other way.
and sure u could sue yo teacher for making u talk, are ye gonna sue your boss, or a client, or the priest who marries u, or your wife when she wants to "talk", (BTW they always want to talk), or the copper who pulls u over? u get my drift. she wants u to talk...she doesn't want to ridicule you, or hurt you, she just wants to teach you something about yoself.
Just do it...u will thank her later.
just my 2 shillings
Nate
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