 About the Author:
Christopher Anderson is a person who stutters who has spent over thirty years studying how to articulate the complexities of stuttering and the journey to self-acceptance. He is a longtime member of stuttering self-help organizations, such as the National Stuttering Association, and regularly shares his experience with aspiring speech-language pathologists. Christopher has undergraduate and graduate degrees in Intelligence studies and is an award-winning subject matter expert on national security for the US Government in Washington, DC, where he lives with his family. He enjoys endurance sports—as a three-time Ironman triathlon finisher—Atlanta Braves baseball, and prefers an ice-cold root beer with his pizza. |
This is my video about Being Seen and Being Heard.
Chris thank you so much for sharing this and I cannot wait to check your book out! I will ensure I get the audio version as what an incredible authentic way to hear a person who stutters story than an actual audio book by someone who stutters. This really resonated with me as I am always looking to challenge myself to reach new milestones and I can tell this book is one for you.
How many years did it take you to write this book? Also, what is next in your journey as I am sure you have a huge release after finishing this book.
Thanks for sharing this as I am excited to see this book and would love to get a signed copy from you somehow if possible!
Thank you, Kunal! I appreciate your kind words, and encourage you to take on all of the challenges you wish to pursue. Writing this book was exactly that, a challenge, but one that has enriched my experience of stuttering in so many ways. I actually started writing about 10 years ago but stopped not long after I started because I was still amid one of the most significant periods of change in my stuttering journey–which I write about in the book. However, over the last three years, I focused on writing and turning my story into a book. It brought me peace with my stutter and the past experiences we who stutter know all too well. I’m looking forward to hearing your feedback once you read, and, if you’d like a signed copy, reach out to me via my blog, everywakingmoment.blog (which is also linked above in the article)!
As for what’s next, I’ve already started my next book, which is an effort to further illuminate the inner life of stuttering. I’m excited to see what it becomes.
Thank you again! – Chris
Chris I enjoyed listening to your story! It is so inspiring that you took the challenge head on of narrating your own book. I think the message will come across so much stronger coming from you. I love that you mentioned you had to train your voice in preparation for the task. I’m interest to know, how did your voice and stuttering change during that time of training?
Thank you, Crystal! I appreciate your kind words. A huge part of changing the way I stutter–more efficient and longer–has been just openly stuttering more to build up my endurance. So, in the privacy of my office at home, I went from reading 3000 words in the beginning to maxing out at 8500 words per reading session. I was able to flow through my blocks while getting on all the first stuttering sounds, learning my limits and lasting longer. At the end of two months of at least an hour a day of reading aloud, I was no longer as exhausted afterward and throughout the day. And, specifically to your question, what changed was I wore down my defenses so I could just stutter aloud, without really thinking about what I was doing, reading aloud, and how it should have been hard for me. In the recording studio was a much different story because I was seated an inch from a microphone, someone was watching me, and i heard my stuttering on headphones–each of these things being super high feared situations, usually. However, I hung in there through each recording session even though my stuttering was quite struggled. By about chapter 15, my stuttering changed drastically to where I was flowing from stuttered word to stuttered word. It was interesting to experience this because it felt like a major breakthrough for me in terms of endurance and efficiency. I’m proud of myself for doing it, but, it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, without question. I hope you’ll give it a listen! Chris
Thank you so much for your response! Happy early International Stuttering Awareness Day!
Hey Chris,
You already know what I think of the value of sharing your experiences. What has been one of the most impactful lessons you have learned in confronting your life on such a deep level?
Good luck with your launch and sit downs next week!
Pam
Thank you, Pam!
Great question – two things actually (because it’s hard to pick just one!).
1. Process/Journey over outcomes. As long as I keep taking steps towards what I want to do, I’ll end up in a better place than I could have ever imagined. Think working to “fix” my stutter and chasing fluency versus finding ways to build self-confidence in every part of my life, with the outcome leading me to…
…2. Social fluency. Whether you stutter or not, being able to connect socially with others makes life so fulfilling, cultivates so many more opportunities, and allows you to learn invaluable things about life FROM others, that you wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunities to do if social anxiety and fear prevent you from taking risks. I never knew social connection was at the heart of my struggle with stuttering, and since understanding that it was the key to self-acceptance for me.
Hope to see you at one/both of the live events this week!
Chris
Hi Chris,
I want to say thank you for sharing this video with all of us! I am currently an undergrad to become an SLP and Im currently taking a fluency class and have learned so much already. I have a nephew who stutters and he is one of the many reasons that I wanted to purse this career. Its often very hard for him to express himself or talk to me or may family because he feels embarrassed and I remind him daily that he has nothing to be embarrassed about. Seeing your video brought be joy because of what you are doing in this world. You are bringing awareness to us all and fighting for what you want and that is truly amazing. I can’t wait to read your book and share it with my nephew, even show him the audio version because I think that he would love it!! Once again that you for sharing your story with the world.
–
Isabel
Thank you so much for your support, Isabel! It’s so great that you are going to be an SLP and want to help PWS. The community is blessed to have so many people coming into it that truly want to help we who stutter. It may be hard to see now but your nephew will find his way through. I was very much just like him–as you will read soon!–and although it’ll take some work, he will make peace with his stutter. I look forward to hearing how you like the book, so please do not hesitate to reach out via my blog! Thank you again for being such a great ally, Chris
Hello Chris,
Thank you for sharing your journey in writing your book along with the struggles that came with it. I am glad you were able to establish that goal for yourself and practice reading in order to record your own book. It is inspiring to hear that you took this experience and chose to be an advocate for PWS. I am an undergraduate student studying to become a SLP. I have learned through my professors that there is not enough exposure surrounding fluency disorders. From your own perspective, how do you think people can be better communication partners when listening to PWS?
Definitely looking forward to reading your book and listening to the audiobook!
I appreciate your video and story!
– Gabriela Tarula
Hi Gabriela, thank you for your support! I’m thrilled that you’re pursuing a career as a PWS, and selfishly hope you’ll specialize in stuttering. In terms of listening to PWS, I generally just ask others to “be human” in the moments. A majority of the time, my listeners give me time to speak, struggle or not–which is kind of a widely self-stigmatized part of the experience of stuttering in that while growing up, I believed everyone would laugh at me or comment on my stutter. While some do, it is very rare and should not influence how “I” myself act as the other communicative partner. So, just be in the moment. No need to do anything special that you wouldn’t do for anyone else. That’s what I mean by being human–notice that the way someone is stuttering may just take a few seconds longer of your attention, keep regular eye contact, and stay involved in the communicative connection. I know, as a PWS who communicates with a lot of PWS, it can feel like you have to “do something” but to really connect with us is to mirror our social acceptance of our stuttering. I look forward to hearing your feedback on the book! Best of luck the rest of your way in school and career as an SLP, Chris
Hi Christopher,
Thank you for sharing with us your journey. I think it’s amazing that you followed through with the ideas you had for your book and how you want it to be presented to your audience. So excited for your launch! I am an undergrad student studying to become an SLP, what best advice would you have for a student going to the field of speech and language pathology who hopefully in the future will get to work with PWS or have a fluency disorder?
Thank you and best regards,
Anel I.
Hi Anel, many thanks for your support! I’m also thrilled that you, too, are working towards becoming an SLP–stick with stuttering! The best advice I have for you is to concurrently pursue studies in social and behavioral psychology, and other mental health related areas. An underserved part of working with PWS and the SLP programs is the liminal focus/understanding of the inner life and impact of stuttering, and how to address it. To me, this is hugely important and what actually perpetuates the challenging parts of living through life with stuttering. I write a lot about this in my book using my experiences, but the intersections between speech therapy and these other fields are such an untapped resource for SLPs. I hope you’ll explore them. Best of luck in your studies and I hope you like the book! – Chris
Chris, thank you for putting yourself out there. You are at the forefront of PWS and are doing amazing things! Keep persevering and don’t give up.
That is very nice of you to say! Thank you for supporting me and ISAD this year. Stutter on – Chris
Hi Chris!
I really enjoyed bot your story and learning about your journey. I was just curious, was there any one person or maybe group of people that helped you first open up your stuttering or inspired you in any way throughout your journey? I am currently in school studying to become and SLP and stories like yours help me gain a better understanding of the perspectives of some of the people I could be working with. Thank you so much!
-Emily R.
Hi Emily! thank you for listening and supporting ISAD. It’s so great to see SLPs participating. I describe the answer to your question in significant detail but the general answer(s) would be there was always someone alongside me all throughout my journey supporting me, making me feel comfortable, or even serving as my voice until I was ready to stutter openly on my own. The thing about stuttering is it makes you feel alone and want to isolate yourself, but in reality I was never actually alone and had the support I needed to thrive when the time came. The other answer was my now wife pushed me outside of my comfort zone faster than I wanted and put me in social situations to help me learn how to communicate and interact with others. As an SLP, this will be a fine line to learn how to walk–when and how to push the PWS that you work with because, for me looking back, I wish some of my SLPs challenged my stubbornness and fear a bit more instead of letting me have my way all the time. I may not have been ready for therapy back then, but I didn’t even try. The last thing is physically being around other PWS and understanding the range of experiences about how they opened up and began to stutter openly. Best of luck with your SLP journey and I hope you’ll read or listen to my story – Chris
Hi Chris! Thank you for sharing your story. Did you feel upset at your editor when he discouraged you from reading your audiobook? I am curious how you would have gone about discussing that, considering your editor would know your journey through stuttering. Thank you!
Sarah Korneff
Hi Sarah – I was a little taken a back by it but her perspective was purely what would sell more audiobooks, in her mind at least. But, ultimately, I knew my story had to be in my voice, regardless how it turned out. Given that it was over email, much of it was lost and translation and I couldn’t hold it against her. I’ve yet to come across anyone who I have discussed the project not think it was a good idea for me to narrate it–and I truly believed each and every one of them. Some times, a lot of grace is necessary in situations like these. I hope you’ll read, or listen! Thanks for supporting ISAD. – Chris
Chris, thank you for sharing your story! I’m sorry your editor was not encouraging. My question to you is, how did you create a positive support system/environment after your editor discredited you? I am in my undergrad studying to become an SLP, and would love your input so I know how to advise future clients. Thank you!
Hi Justine – very much appreciate your support and kind words. Great to hear you’re working towards becoming an SLP! The truth is, I didn’t really need a support system for this particular experience because all of the work I had done in the years leading up to receiving the email in which I learned how to receive comments like that. I believe the bigger point is working on shedding the “victim” mentality that I lived with for many year that kept me on guard for comments like this about my stuttering. I was always ready in my head to snap for when I received negative feedback but that was such a major impediment to living with stuttering. Living on edge like that prevents grace, and advising future clients that *most* people aren’t out to get us–we who stutter–was such a life-changing perspective for me. So, I’d say, working on social skills, such as arming clients with an ability to talk through moments/comments/feedback that could be perceived as negative like this is hugely important. What I didn’t share in the video was my response to my editor which was one of informing her about the importance of stuttering being heard, instead of silenced, and the need for stuttering to be represented in the audiobook world. I hope this helps! Thanks for supporting ISAD, – Chris
Hello Chris, nice to meet you!
I’m glad you’re releasing your own story for everyone to understand your life and struggles. It’s very time-consuming and hard to create something like that. For one of my creative writing classes, one of our assignments was recounting a life struggle, and it was emotionally draining. I love that you stand your ground and fight for what you believe in.
I’m looking forward to your next 4 book releases!
I wanted to ask if you have plans to produce more content after these 4 book releases? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What do you hope to accomplish?
P.S. SUPER EXCITED FOR YOU!! <3
Best,
Nataly
Hi Nataly – Nice to meet you as well! You are 100% correct–writing this book was VERY draining emotionally, but more so therapeutic in that I got to explore every aspect of my journey. To answer your question, yes, I’ve already started on my next project which has to do with the main themes in my book. The aim of it is to continue shedding light on the inner life and impact of stuttering, and help others–PWS and SLPs–confront what is arguably the most complex life-impeding aspect of stuttering. I hope you’ll look out for it in the next couple years. As for the next 5 years? To do my part to close the gap between the paralyzing stigma and self-acceptance for PWS–not sure what that’ll look like but that’s the goal.
Happy ISAD to you, Chris
Hi Christopher,
I totally agree, stuttering needs to be heard where fluent voices are supreme.
Iam sure there will be many people who listen to your audio book who are inspired that a PWS is recording an audio book. I know many people who have a stutter that are hesitant on the job they go into. I know a PWS that just quit their job, she answered phones, can you give me advice on what i should tell her to get another job, and not allow her stutter to get ion the way? I would love to hear back from you, especially because you are recording an audio book.
Hi Desiree – that pains me to hear about your friend, but I can definitely relate. The thing that always held me back was believing I had to only focus on my speech and stuttering to improve my communication. It turned out that when I stopped focusing on my stuttering in the highest feared speaking situations and instead worked on building self-confidence in other parts of my life, eventually, I was more confident and better able to do those things, like make phone calls, than I was when I wasn’t also having successes elsewhere. It’s hard to make change when all you’re doing is “failing” or you think that’s all that is happening. So, my advice would be to pursue the job you want, while also taking steps to have fun and build self-confidence in other parts of your life. A sole focus on communication will never lead to change. I’ll be thinking of your friend. – Chris
Hi Chris! Thank you for making your video. I am so sorry to hear that the editor was trying to dissuade you from doing the audio recording. It was inspiring to hear that you stayed driven and fought for what you wanted as well as what worked hard for! Was doing the audio recording a goal of yours for a while?
Hi Lexie – Thank you for supporting ISAD! The audiobook was something I thought about here and there I was writing but as I learned the self-publishing process, it became more and more of something I thought I might be able to do. It seemed impossible at first, like could I stutter that long? But, when I started, and took each recording session at a time, I gained more confidence. So happy I now have my voice narrating my story. I hope you’ll read and listen, Chris
Hi Christopher!
Thank you! I really enjoyed listening to your story. That is very exciting news, I cannot wait to check out your book and the audible as well. I am glad you took that initiative and recorded your audible book yourself. I know it will inspire and help other people who stutter.
I am curious to know what inspired you to write your book and record your own audible book?
Hi Itzel – appreciate your support! I hope PWS find meaning in my story. I wanted to write because there just aren’t enough stories of stuttering that go beyond the happy endings and explore what its really like to stutter. Its the book that would’ve change the course of my journey had I read it as a child struggling to find my way. And part of that was pushing the limits of what I thought was possible by reading my story in my voice for others to hear. There was no way I could let a fluent voice tell my story. I hope you’ll read and listen, Chris
Thank you Chris!
I appreciate your reply, and I am positive your book will do good for PWS.
And of course, you are the only person who can tell your story.
Hello Christopher!
I think it is so inspiring to record an audiobook to show others that anything is possible. I will definitely be checking this out in the future. Thank you for your contribution to this convention!
Thank you! I appreciate your support and participating in ISAD! – Chris
Hi Christopher!
Your story is truly so inspiring, thank you so much for sharing with all of us! I am currently in an undergrad program for communication sciences and disorders to become and SLP. My goal has always been to help make a difference in peoples lives by helping them use their voices to its fullest potential, with confidence! I loved hearing your story because I can see that you’ve done so much to help you get where you are, even though I’m sure it was difficult. It’s sooooo amazing to know that you have your own book! Congratulations on that!
When you recorded your audible, did you have any fears that crossed your mind or were you super excited? What kind of emotions did you feel ?
Thank you Sumcar! It’s so great that you’re going to be an SLP and want to help people find their voices. That’s admirable. When I recorded the audiobook, I kind of had to pump myself up before each session because any kind of recording is challenging knowing someone will be watching/listening to me as I record, and then others will listen to it eventually. I wanted to to quit SO many time throughout when my stuttering was bunching up and I was struggling. It took everything I had to keep going. However, there never were any doubt on whether I’d finish recording the whole book. But, I did it even though it was challenging, and that’s when I grow the most. Thanks for participating in ISAD, Chris
Just got your book 2 days ago Chris!! Fantastic–though I just started…I can relate to alot of your experience…the 4 week university program….and the relapse…..I too took a refresher course which did nothing for me…..I also wanted to thank you for sending me a free copy–since I was tight on money!!!
Thank you! I’m happy that its resonating with you thus far and would love your feedback on it if your up for leaving a review! Stutter on – Chris
Hello Christopher!
Thank you. for your video! Being seen and heard can help many individuals become more comfortable in their skin and voice. Your story is inspiring, and I appreciate your sharing your story with all of us. What encouraged you to stay focused while the director was trying? to dissuade you from doing the audio recording? As a PWS, what other challenges have you encountered, and how did you overcome them? Also, what would be some advice you would give someone who lacks motivation?
I hope to hear from you soon!
Thank you,
Charlene Lopez
Thank you, Charlene! My motivation to do the audio recording was that it seemed just a bit outside of what I could do. Like, there was some self-doubt about whether I could make it through the entire book. But, to generally answer all of your questions–the thing that has helped/motivated me the most was taking steps to work toward what I wanted to do. For example, make the phone call to schedule the studio time to record, reading aloud by myself every day for an hour for two months to prepare my voice and stuttering endurance, knowing the “script” and its challenging parts, and, finally, showing up to the studio and recording the first session. The problem I had in the past was never understanding that each of those steps were part of the larger process of achieving the goal. We can get so wrapped up in wondering how we’ll ever be able to do something that we forget about the smaller steps that it takes to do something–and those small steps create the momentum you need to be resilient through the fear. So, the advice I’d give you is to break your fears down into the smallest possible steps and start doing them in real life. You’ll find that what helps you the most is seeing what happens after you do them. I explain a lot of this process in the book and hope you’ll read about it. Thanks for participating in ISAD! – Chris
Hello Christopher!
Thank you. for your video! I think it is so inspiring to record an audiobook to show others that anything is possible. I’m very cerous to know how did your voice and stuttering change during that time of training?
Hi Shimadn! Thank you for your kind words. It changed A LOT. But what changed was my ability to stutter more efficiently for longer periods of time and, within that, my thought to speech word processing increased. These two skills prepared me for when it was time to record because I had both the stamina and presence to keep going when my struggle was telling me to quit. I didn’t get more fluent, by any means, but my stuttering got softer and took less out of me so I could just talk. Then, as the recording sessions progressed, I went from struggling through the first half of the book to a free flowing open stuttering by the later chapters, which resulted from my training and growing comfortable with the act of reading aloud. I hope you’ll listen and/or reading the book! Stutter on – Chris