Brad Hall: HALL THINGS CONSIDERED: Embracing my stuttering to help others

Jun. 9—Recently I had written about the SpeechEasy device I was now using to help me with my stuttering. Since it has been a few months since I first started wearing it, I wanted to quickly update everyone on my progress as well as share a few things I have started to look at differently.

First off, I did want to recognize the therapist Melissa who I met with to see if the device was something that would benefit me.

She was very nice to meet with then, and has even allowed me to call her on a couple occasions to check in as well as do a little practicing.

She has also inspired me to embrace my stuttering more than I have in the past.

It's very easy to feel embarrassed or even guilty to be someone who stutters. You tend to want to hide it, and certainly tend to not want to broadcast it to the world.

But after I wrote my first column about it, Melissa encouraged me to keep on writing about it. It's important that I share what I go through in order to help me out but most importantly to help others who might also be stuttering.

Honestly, that's been my intention for this column since the very start. I've always wanted to share what I go through in case it might help someone else.

But for the reasons I've mentioned, I've never really shared much about my stuttering here. Even though it's been one of the biggest obstacles and something I would understand a lot more than others, I've just never wanted to share about it or really even seek out others who might help me.

But Melissa shared a podcast with me about it, as well as some support groups, and it's been like a whole new world I've never tried to explore before.

As for my progress these past few months, the SpeechEasy device has certainly been a help.

The more I practice in my workbook, the better I typically do throughout my day.

Last month, we made a visit to my dad's house in Pikeville, and he along with my stepmom both agreed my speech was much better than other recent times I've come to visit.

I've also gotten my mom to practice with me. One of the exercises is to get someone to ask you very basic questions, like your favorite color or song. And then build up to more complex questions. So her and I have done that as well.

But I certainly would appreciate your continued prayers if you ever have the chance. Even though this device is a big help, it still requires some work. It's very easy to get lazy or get too busy and skip a day of practice.

So just pray that I continue to stick with it and that I continue to make progress.

I'd also love to hear from anyone who may be struggling with something similar or may have worked with someone who struggles with stuttering. I'm here to help anyway I can, to pray for you, and I'm also here to learn too.

It often feels like I'm pretty alone in this but that could be because others are just like me and don't want to share it.

Galatians 6:1-10 says, "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."

Thanks as always for reading and letting me share. I'll try to provide some more updates here from time to time. God Bless You All!

Brad Hall is the nighttime editor at the Times-Tribune. He can be contacted at [email protected].