What would you like for Christmas son? Fluency please dad!

At the age of fifteen my father asked me, as he usually did, what I wanted for Christmas. I joking replied:

 

“Fluency please, with a bit of extra confidence thrown in as well.”

 

Now I was fully aware, of course, that my dad or Santa Claus himself could not provide me with these things. I knew that only hard work and dedication would ever enable me to overcome the stutter that had plagued my life since I was aged four.  

 

My dad gave a sarcastic reply:

 

“I would love to Steve, any idea where I can buy them from?”

 

That is the type of people we are, a bit crazy I guess! We were both fully aware that you can not “buy fluency” and that there is not a “magic pill” that can help you to eradicate a stutter.

 

“Do not worry about it dad, I will find the answer to this stuttering problem one day, and what a day that will be.”

 

“I am sure that you will Steve.  I aim to do all that I can to help you in your quest to achieve fluency.”

 

“Thanks dad, you’re one in a million.”

 

My main present that I received that year was actually a very impressive snooker cue, a cue that would eventually (three years later) go on to help me to compile a 100 break. I do love a bit of sport!

 

Steve Hill   http://www.stammering-stuttering.co.uk