The world at your computer
By Gina Waggott

Join Stuttering Chat and a world that really understands stammering

Since it started in 2000, nobody could have imagined that the Internet group, "Stuttering Chat" could become such a huge world-wide forum for the discussion of stuttering and all related topics.

Many people have expressed their joy (and often, relief) that there are other people in the world who share so many experiences and feelings that stuttering brings to their lives. Typical postings include young people asking for an Internet pen-pal or just someone in their own age group to chat with, people wanting to vent if they have had a bad (or good!) 'speech day', or parents who are concerned about the onset of stuttering in their child and come to us for advice - our members give their own opinions, yet we will always mention the work of speech therapists (who also make up a notable percentage of the membership and offer guidance to members).

I took over the moderation and ownership of the group almost two years ago, and with the help of my fellow moderator and BSA member Alan Badmington, we have tried to encourage people from all walks of life to join and get actively involved. The membership recently passed 1000, and is now more than 1150!

The group is located within Yahoo Groups - a free and easy to use tool available to anyone who can access the Internet. All that is needed is an email address that you can have group messages sent to. There have been around nineteen thousand(!) messages posted since the group started, now averaging around 600 or 700 a month, so it's wise to get a free, web-based email address to subscribe from. Alternatively, you can choose to read it all on the web and not have any messages sent directly to you.

Stuttering Chat website

Other options available include a chat room (which is voice activated, should you pluck up the courage to practise your speech in a secure and friendly environment!), polls (where people create mini questionnaires on all aspects of stuttering that intrigue them), a files section where a resource of useful information is a click away, and a photo album where, should you feel the need, you can broadcast your ugly mug to the rest of the group. Snapshots of our previous two Stuttering Chat 'meet ups' are on there - where UK members got together in real-life to meet, go out for a meal, see some sights, have a few drinks - and talk!

Alan and I are most proud that Stuttering Chat has attracted a world-wide membership. Every continent is represented (though the messages are in English), enabling us to learn about how stuttering is perceived and dealt with in other countries. Notification on therapy courses and stuttering-related events is also distributed to the group frequently - a great way to disseminate information on stuttering and to try and educate people on help that is available to them.

We even had our first Stuttering Chat wedding in 2002. Alan and I were invited to be witnesses as two of our members met and fell in love, across the Atlantic!

The group is open to anyone who stutters or is interested in stuttering - friends, relatives and speech therapists are all welcome to join. Essentially you will get out of the group what you put in, so why not give it a go?

Anyone who wishes to join can go to http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/stutteringchat/

From the Summer 2003 edition of Speaking Out