‘The Fragile Abilities of Hearing and Speech’

This is in response to Glenda Warren’s letter (May 16), “The Fragile Abilities of Hearing and Speech,” on Better Hearing and Speech Month. Being a stutterer myself, I agree that speech is a taken-for-granted ability.

Not being able to express my thoughts and ideas verbally can sometimes be an extremely frustrating experience. My speech has improved considerably since I was a child, but I still have difficulty in speaking to people.

From experience I know that people can be very cruel to someone with a speech disorder. For example, when I was a child I was teased and ridiculed by the kids in my neighborhood and school whenever I tried to talk. As a result of this I have become a shy and introverted person. When I was in high school every time a teacher would ask a question and call on me in class I would answer, “I don’t know” rather than answer it correctly because it was easier to say.

The life of a stutterer is a lonely one because it is difficult to make friends. When trying to speak to people and you start stuttering many just look at you, get embarrassed and just look away or walk away. If they stay and hear you out they usually try to fill in the words you are trying to say.

Next time you talk to a speech- or hearing-impaired person make Better Hearing and Speech Month count. Give us the time, patience, and consideration to express ourselves because we are people with thoughts and ideas too.

ALBERTO DELGADO

Corona