FEBUARY 6, 2025

Nine “Dudes who Stutter” ranging from 16 to 68 in age bonded by sharing life experiences shaped by how we talk. We had a first-timer and a second-timer attend along with 7 other long-timers in the group.

As Chapter Leader, I planned to do some silly Improv games, but I sensed early on the group needed something else after seeing how the first-timer reacted to everything. I went the “choose your own adventure” path by asking the first-timer if they wanted the meeting to be serious or silly. He quickly replied, “SERIOUS!” So… we got serious.

I began by asking the group to share a low moment in their life that was triggered by being a PWS. We started with the first-timer and he delivered big-time by talking about how high school was ROUGH. Everyone else chimed in with a story about growing up with a stutter in school with heartfelt stories ranging from being bullied to being ridiculed to being singled as being “different.” No matter how old we get, we can’t forget those painful childhood experiences.

From there, deep conversation happened for an hour touching upon so many consequential topics. Conversation flowed easily. We also talked about the many turning points we’ve experienced where our stutter taught us something to shape us into being better people. I teared up at the end knowing how special the night was for us DWS, Dudes who Stutter. We were vulnerable and we all left feeling more connected and definitely feeling like we are not alone.

Troy, Doug, Matthew, Brian, Zac, Bruce, Barry, Will and John shared some of their stuttering soul at the meeting. It was an awesome time.

(I’ve attended countless chapter meetings since 2011 and have led over 100 chapter meetings since 2016. Our February meeting was the most meaningful meeting I have ever been a part of.)