Online Friendship/Support For People Who Stutter

Have you ever felt the overwhelming frustration of wanting to say something, but the words just wouldn't come out?  We all know how that feels from time to time.  What most of us don't know is how it feels to have that experience nearly every single time we open our mouths to speak.  Could you imagine trying to speak and never knowing if it will come out the way you need it to?  People who stutter know all too well how that feels and the frustration that goes along with it.  Each and every day of their lives, they need to make a conscious effort to try to be fluent in their speech just so that others can understand them.  It is a day-to-day challenge for them to try to function in a world where the majority of us take speaking fluently for granted.  

I, myself, don't stutter, but my precious daughter does.  I know all to well how frustrating stuttering can be and I feel for her so much.  But, she is brave and she is strong.  She tries, tries and tries again and doesn't give up.  She knows that she is important and valued and that we will be patient and listen to her as much as she needs us to.  I raised her to know that stuttering is completely fine and a stutterer is who she is.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.  People just need to learn to be a little patient with her while she tries to convey her thoughts so that she is able to verbalize them.  She is fine with that and tries not to let her stuttering stop her from making friends or participating in social settings.

But, not all people who stutter or who have any type of speech impairment have been so incredibly supported in their journey.  Unfortunately, kids can be very cruel and having any sort of speech problem can make them targets for teasing, bullying, mocking, etc.  These types of experiences can stay in the minds of people and cause them to fear speaking in front of others for fear of being ridiculed.  Some are afraid to try to talk on the phone fearing that people will not understand and hang up on them.  Others may avoid any type of social settings like dating, parties, after-work gatherings, etc., for fear that they will be judged or ostracized by the group.  It is a constant fear within them and the last thing they want to do is make it worse by trying to discuss their fears with a therapist.  Trying to verbalize their fears about having to be verbal at all is enough to just push someone over the edge.  There is a solution, though, for those who wish to talk to someone to help relieve their frustrations without having to actually speak at all--online friendship and support or counseling services. 

Finally, people with speech impairments who have difficulty expressing their thoughs verbally can type away allowing the keyboard to provide their words and be their voice.  They can communicate their thoughts as quickly as they can type them and with virtually no frustration for them at all.  What a relief!  Online friendship and support services can offer great support to those who need it and offer a wonderful outlet for people who have so much to say and need so much for us just to take the time to stop and listen.

Your Friend, Hope
yourfriendhope.com

Being a Good Listener

I am an educated person, but I never thought of becoming a psychologist or psychiatrist.  I always thought I'd go into some area of the law like becoming an attorney or an activist of some sort.  But, life (or the good Lord himself) seems to be pulling me in a different direction.  I seem to have a gift.  A gift for listening and offering support.  I love it.  I love helping people.  People come to me to talk and share their problems all the time and I love to listen.  I love to care and support them.  This must be my calling.  From family members to friends to coworkers and even strangers, I have people calling on me daily for someone to talk to.  They want to talk about so many things that are troubling them from relationship problems to issues with their children.  They want to vent about their spouses or cry over their breakups.  They all have problems weighing heavy on their hearts and they all have the same thing in common...they want somone to listen and care.  They are asking for two of the easiest things that we can do for each other as human beings and it means so much to them to receive it.

I never even entertained the idea that I'd make a good therapist.  Now I wish I would have because I would have found something that I loved that I could make a good living doing.  But, even though I've always considered myself to be a good friend, this gift has really presented itself later in my life.  I am in my forties now and have no desire to go back to college to pursue a degree in psychology.  Yet, I love lending my ear to those who are in need of some care and attention.  So, what can I do?  I can still be a safe and secure place for people to go who need someone to talk to.  I can still listen and care and offer advice in areas where I have experience.  I can be a shoulder to cry on or a thinking board to bounce ideas off of.  I can be a lot of things to a lot of people even though I don't have a multitude of letters following my name on a business card.

I have started my own business offering online friendship/support services for those who cannot afford counselling or who need extra support and care in addition to their scheduled therapy.  I can still offer an immense amount of support for people who desperately need it, especially in situations where they are grieving the loss of a loved one or a relationship.  Grief doesn't take a break and it can take a very long time to feel normal again.  I can make a difference in my own way by keeping it simple and just being there for someone in need.

If you would like to read more about my work or you think you might know someone who would benefit from my online friendship/support services, please visit my website at: http://www.yourfriendhope.com/.

Thank you for reading my blog and I welcome your comments and feedback.