 About the Author:My name is Pedro Pereira. I was born and raised in the territories of the Portuguese language and I consider myself a survivor of the stuttering wars. Chronologically I am 51. Today I’m interested in diversity, community and peace… and learning to relax and enjoy where I am with what I have within who I am. |
There is a power hidden in silence
A power greater than that of any sound that could ever fill that same silence
It’s so big and so strong that at first it scares me like the idea of spending a night in an unknown moonless forest at the end of the world
A power that arranges a power that organizes a power that creates
A power that forgives a power that accepts a power that includes
A gentle power
The same power that carries a breeze in early autumn or late spring or any other season in between
I am a Person Who Stammers and it is not that I know this power
But I know that I can facilitate your presentation to that power and you can facilitate my presentation to that power as well
It’s as if regardless of gender I am the perfect groom and you are the perfect bride and that is always true and forever true
And that’s one of the reasons why I’m here
In this beautiful world
This power does not make mistakes. I am not a mistake. The way I speak is not a mistake
It never was, it isn’t, and it never will be
I am a facilitator through the way I speak through our presentation to this power
Through me and through you and through the way I talk to you, and the way you talk to me- we can sit with that power and we can begin to talk to that power and feel its presence
How is this done? I don’t know for sure!
But I suspect it’s through the power of listening
‘ I am not a mistake. The way I speak is not a mistake’ reminds me of a core belief in narrative therapy, that we who encounter challenges related to stuttering & our stutter itself are not mistakes. The problem lies in the context we are situated, such as the discriminations brought by misunderstanding, and social expectations that demand us to speak fluently.
Thanks for your comment meow. I agree with you that the “problem” is mainly dysfunctional environments where everything that is different is attacked and persecuted. Surrounding ourselves and contributing to stuttering-friendly environments is, in my opinion, the way to go; personally and collectively
I loved this, Pedro. A unique way of looking at silence and very eloquently put. Happy ISAD to you 🙂
Thank you gina. Hope you hade a happy ISAD too.
You’re not a mistake, my friend. You’re pure power! Meeting you and following your journey is like a video game, where there hero collects treasures and grows for every level. Be sure, you’re seen and heard, Pedro.
Keep talking
Anita
thank you anita. I was thinking about your contribution to the revolutionary way I look at stuttering today and in the plesure that it gives me… It is quiet a lot