SSL! - S6E1 - Richard Holmes

Episode Description In this first episode of Season 6, Some Stutter, Luh! welcomes Richard Holmes, a person who stutters and a speech-language pathologist. In this episode, Richard talks about his journey from his childhood speech therapy, to becoming a speech-language pathologist (SLP) himself. Richard reflects on how stuttering affected his self-perception, interactions, professional development, support groups, and speech therapy programs. Richard and Greg also question the word “fluency” - as known as the "f" word. Are you ready to learn more about how to “dance with a tiger”? This is Part 1 of a 2-part interview. Part 2 will air on November 5, 2024. Notes Greg and Richard explore the complexities of stuttering, including the psychological and emotional challenges that come with it. Richard shares personal experiences in therapy and his thoughts on the relationship between stuttering and self-acceptance. He stresses that most of the challenges related to stuttering are not visible or audible, but emotional and psychological. Richard believes fluency doesn't necessarily mean the absence of stuttering, but rather a smoother, more comfortable way of communicating. He appreciates the role stuttering played in shaping who he is and encourages others to live harmoniously with it, using it as a tool for self-awareness. As an SLP, Richard believes speech therapists should focus on the entire person rather than just the mechanics of speech. He advocates for a balanced approach that combines speech therapy with emotional acceptance and personal growth. - Check out Richard on YouTube: @walktalkforstutteringaware3080 - Check out Richard’s TedxUW talk: Stuttering and the Art of Mountain Biking: https://youtu.be/CQrZgsPsiRA?si=IuqCgQf5q4zLBm2V - Our website: https://somestutterluh.ca/ - International Stuttering Awareness Day(ISAD) is October 22, 2024. For more information, check out their website: https://isad.live/ This video has been brought to you with help from Memorial University of Newfoundland, the Newfoundland and Labrador Stuttering Association, and a whole team of volunteers behind the scenes, without whom this video would not have been possible. We're always looking for exciting ideas and engaging guests, so if you or anyone you know has a great idea or would like to appear on the podcast, send us a message: info at somestutterluh.ca. As always, don't forget to hit the "Like" button, "Share" with people you know, and "Subscribe" so you don't miss any of our upcoming episodes. Interacting with the video in these ways helps YouTube know that you think our content is important and should be shared with people who stutter, the people who love them, and all the other allies to the stuttering community. Happy International Stuttering Awareness Day!