TRANSCRIPT OF A PRESENTATION, BY ALAN BADMINGTON, TO ...

In May 2000, everything changed. My wife persuaded me, after much
resistance, to undertake a fluency programme.
It was at that time I first learned of the existence of John Harrison, one of
the earliest members of the National Stuttering Project in the USA, as well
as being its former Associate Director. That organisation subsequently
became known as the National Stuttering Association and John has been the
editor of its newsletter, ‘Letting Go’, for many years.
John is no stranger to the problem that has affected many of us here today,
having stuttered throughout his school years, college and well into
adulthood. His involvement in a broad variety of personal growth
programmes, over three decades, gave him a unique insight into the nature
and dynamics of stuttering, and today he is fully recovered. The
observations he made during that period enabled him to master the problem
himself.
Many of the views I shall be expressing here today, are advanced by John
in his wonderfully informative book entitled ‘How to conquer your fears of
speaking before people’. I strongly recommend that you might consider
acquiring a copy, or at least obtain sight of that publication. John and I
have become great friends since our first meeting in California last August,
and I know that I am speaking today with his total blessing.
A man is walking along the road when he encounters another man on his
hands and knees under a street lamp. Being a Good Samaritan, he stops and
enquires if he can be of any assistance. “I’m looking for my car keys”,
replies the gentleman as he scrambles about on the pavement. With that,
the second man also gets down on all fours to assist with the search.
After about ten unsuccessful minutes, he enquires, “Have you any idea
where you may have dropped them?” “Yes” responds the original man,
“Over there amongst the trees”. Rather taken aback, the second man asks,
“Well, why are you looking here then?” “Because this is where the light is”
was the prompt response.