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Cases

THE MINDLESS VOICE

The sun was up in the sky. It was nearly 11.00 am. The sandwich looked pretty good with the cheese dripping from the sides, it was a perfect "brunch" (breakfast + lunch - in case you don't know ) - for an obviously long day ahead.

But what has to happen, has to happen............

" I want a sa.. sa.. " -

and that was the end of my "brunch".

This was not the first time it had happened. It had happened with the sandwich ; the burger at Mcdonalds ; the pizza at Pizza Hut . Come to think of it ; it had also happened at the cash counter at the bank and the jeans salesman at the Wrangler store. And to complete the list - with person I wanted to talk to - at college.

I was stuck again ..................

" Hey , I tried " - said the Voice. "It might not be difficult, but i tried."

" No, didn't ! You just didn't know what to let out when !! " cried the Mind

"Hey ! Hey ! Hey ! You are supposed to TRAIN me for that " Voice snapped.

" I have to TRAIN you ! - exclaimed the Mind.

" What about the other voices ? How do they TRAIN themselves ? "

" Well , it's a problem if i am special , isn't it. What do you care if i can't do so just because you're faster than average " - Voice replied , disgusted. ( For your information ; people who stutter have higher I.Q. level than average ; and are often good singers)

I was hungry and i had already left the store . However , somehow somewhere i had made my decision. I wasn't going to let this happen again and again and again..........( The fact that stomach was making noises helped making up my mind as well )

So i went to the store.

"May I have a sa... sa... number 51 please " ( substituting the word )

and thus got my sandwich.

" Nice thinking, boss " said the Voice." But if I have to ask someone out; I don't think numbers or any such substitution will help."

" One step at a time , son ! one step at a time " smiled the Mind .

" But I don't want this any more . The problem is that it depends on you - not on me - and you keep wishing and hoping for some miracle to change me ; when it's all upto you . " - Voice suggested.

" I know but I don't know how ; I try and I really try but it just happens - I want to just go slow but always ........... I fear. " - Mind said, softly.

" Coward , that's what you are ..... Lets do this together, tomorrow , why not today !! " Voice exclaimed.

It was 8 pm ; and the sandwich was calling out to me again. It had been a long day , and a nice day, at that . I was pretty good in my work so my work was easily accepted.

Decided to indulge myself in some more sandwiches , and so started on the 10 minute walk to the store. As I passed by the park , I saw people - many people - a lady learning how to drive; a child falling from a bike (and then getting on it again , least bothered about others); an old man trying to move his new wheelchair.

And thats when I felt - maybe I needed to not let past experiences get the better of me - maybe all I needed was a little will , a little Voice and a little Mind ( with SO WHAT !! attitude).

The door opened . I walked towards the counter.

" A.. sandwich please ! and some extra cheese ! "

"Sure Sir , that will be Rs.49.50 "

"He..re ! Could you give me the 50 in 10s. I..need the change."

" No problem, Sir. Here you're ...... Enjoy the sandwich."

MY heart was in my mouth but now I was smiling. This was going to be one hell of a journey !

" Wow ! Wow ! Wow ! It was so beautiful, so smooth, so confident , so nice " Voice exclaimed

" Well as you see - it took a little work - its the power of mind ..." Mind replied proudly.

" So what next. - Voice was excited.

" Don't know. I used to believe in miracles ; but next time,

remind to rely upon them" Mind determined.

There was a moment of silence.

" You did it " - Voice said , softly

Mind back slapped Voice - " NO , WE DID IT . "

BY SHOBHAN AGARWAL

SUCCESS IS A JOURNEY

I took speech therapy at Adlakha Speech & Hearing Clinic after completing my graduation from S.R.C.C. I am 21 years old. I first started speech therapy in Kathmandu in the year 1996. There was slight improvementin my speech when I was in regular touch with the therapist but Stammeringwas still there. After that I came to Delhi after getting admission in Sri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi. In 1st + 2nd year of my college I did notcare much about my speech but when I was in final year, I was very muchtense due to my Stammering problem. I started surfing net and got the address of Adlakha Speech & Hearing Clinic from the website.

I took an appointment for initial consultation in which apparent and psychological analysis was done. My problem was analyzed from all the angles and explained the remedial measures. I started speech Therapy with Mrs. Seema Adlakha and Dr. Sajiv Adlakha from 19th June. Before joining, I was very much tensed about my speech. If any one talked about my speech, I felt very uneasy. I used to avoid talking on phones and meeting new people.

But after therapy my confidence level has increased quite a lot. I started taking interest while talking on phone and meeting friends. Now after 8 months of therapy I am doing my practice regularly and will continue it. Dr. Sajiv Adlakha has not only helped me in my speech, but also in my personality. Before therapy I was very worried about my Speech. I used to think that Stammering is very bad to be talked about and discussed about, now it is opposite. I myself grab the opportunity to talk in the group. Earlier friends used to say Vivek is a good listener but now I am known for more talking and a good communicator.

I have come to the conclusion that one has to submit himself fully so that
different ideas can come in Positive change will follow. I have understood now that success is a journey not a destination.

There was a time when I was hesitant to speak to strangers, There was a time when I wanted to open up and express myself in a group but couldn't, there was a time when even the idea of giving a speech was not less than a nightmare for me, there was time when I tried hiding my stammering problem, but no (after joining this speech Centre) the life of mine has taken a new turn, NEW TURN! What is this new turn? The new turn for me is not only a positive change in my speech but gaining a positive attitude towards life and wiping off negative thoughts from mind, which is very important not just to improve on one's speech but living a good, happy and a satisfactory life.

After joining this Centre I realized that I was working not only on my speech but also enhancing communication skills which definitely boost up the confidence level, which in today's world is a necessity.

The Centre has taught us to accept things the way they are, to face the reality and to admit our fear without loosing positive attitude.

Best part of the STUTTERING THERAPY is Saturday's GROUP THERAPY at ADLAKHAS. Its obvious that when the Person is in group the motivation level is higher, so in group therapy many people facing the same problem get together and share their views and experiences. They give each other supportive and helping hand to a great extent, which is providing success to everyone joining this institute. Remember, to achieve success is not just motivation that's required but hard work and continuous practice is essential as there's no substitute for hard work . Practice makes the man perfect.

Gaurav, a person who has lots of dreams and ambitions.Who has the dream to come in limelight of the corporate world. Who has thoughts like "High living, High Thinking" and he is ready to work hard for it. Determination to reach to the Zenith is his mission. But only one thing that is creating hurdles in his path is his speech, his communication skills, his STAMMERING. Unable to express his views and opinions to the public scares him as hell. He believes in one thing "If you have seen dreams, then make it true". So to make his dreams come true, he decided to improve upon his communication skills and to make his speech his biggest asset and he will do it anyhow. Few lines read somewhere keeps him motivating towards his goal.

(Gaurav Khandelwal)

X X X

RIGHT GUIDANCE & MOTIVATION CAN BRING LASTING FLUENCY

I started stammering from the age of 3 years when one day, my elder brother came back from school and imitated one of his friends who used to stammer. From that day onwards I could not speak fluently. My parents thought that this habit of stammering will get healed of its own if I was not made conscious of my Stammering. But when they saw that there wasn't any improvement they decided to consult a speech therapist in AIIMS while we were on a vacation to Delhi. At that time I was 10 years old and did not know much about the problem I had. I undertook therapy for 7 days and could not continue as we had to go back after the vacation to Shillong. In Shillong I continued with the exercises suggested by the doctor at AIIMS and there was some improvement in my speech, but I discontinued them after a year. After finishing my class 8 from Shillong we shifted to Delhi and I did the rest of my schooling from Delhi after which I did my graduation from IIT Delhi in the field of Mechanical Engineering. It was in IIT that I realized that I have to somehow get rid of this habit of stammering that had plagued my life for such a long time. I again tried therapy in AIIMS but did not avail much benefit out of it. When I was in the third year of my graduation studies I became very conscious of my stammering as I had realized that it might create a problem for me in the campus interviews that were to be conducted next year but I did not do much about it. In my final year of graduation studies I did apply for campus interviews and succeeded in getting a job at two companies. It was after this that I realized that now once and for all I should get rid of my habit of Stammering, as I am going to work for a private company where it may be a hindrance in my growth. I got in contact with a classmate of mine, Shobhan Aggarwal and he advised me to join Adlakha Speech Therapy. I joined the Centre on February 27 and within two months there was a substantial improvement in my speech. Now nearly after four months of therapy my speech has witnessed a tremendous improvement and although blocks do occur occasionally some time, but I don't consider them to be a hindrance in my path. I also do not face any problem in the company in which I am working due to my speech. This has also boosted my self-confidence to a great extent. The credit for all this improvement in my Speech and also my increased self confidence definitely goes to my friend Shobhan ,who showed me the right therapist and to Dr.Adlakha (my Speech Therapist) who showed me the right path.

From the day I know myself, I know my-self as a stammerer. My parents told me that up till 5 years of age, I used to speak correctly but then I got an acute typhoid, and after recovery I got stammering.In my child-hood my teacher used to praise me and ask me to do sums on the blackboard, but I used to stammer. Again in my 6th Class when I went to Middle School from Primary School, I again got typhoid, thereafter my tammering became much more acute.

Up till the age of 41 years I remained isolated in the society (in my educational/, professional/service and in my social life) avoiding the situation was always remained the most comfortable option for me. By the grace of God, in between, I got a Govt. job, got married and have a son and a daughter.

In 1995, I tried some homeopathic medicines but they worked till the treatment was on, the moment I left it, the stammering came back. When I got Internet facility in my Section (office), I searched for treatment Centres for stammering problems. I am one of the most fortunate person who got the right Speech Therapist in the first instance. This I realized when I seen a number of cases at the Centre, who came from reputed hospitals like AIIMS, APPOLO etc. but all waste of time, energy and money (according to them). On September 19, 2002 I joined Adlakha Speech and Hearing Clinic. Before that I got an appointment for consultation in August, 2002 and from the very first look I realized that I came to the right place (Pehali Nazar Mein Fida). Since then I am attending/enjoying my speech therapy classes regularly, doing my exercises sincerely. This has resulted in a remarkable change in my speech, my confidence level and now I am not leading my life but enjoying it. I led 41 years of my precious life in fear, in frustration. Now the occasional blocks do come, but they don't disturb my peace of mind. Here I realized that I am not the only person who has this problem but there are lots like me. Here I have seen a lot of successful cases, to name a few : Rajneesh Babbar, Inder Pal Singh, Rohit Harjani, Amritpal Singh (who himself has taken speech therapy as a profession) [they are not only the successful cases who came out from the stammering phobia but are landmark for good speakers too].I am one the fortunate person, among more than 1500 approx., who got speech therapy from Dr. Sajiv and Seem Adlakha. I have not seen God, but I think, if God has to perform some of his important tasks, he works through persons like Dr. Sajiv and Seema Adlakha. I wonder, in this selfish age, there are persons (like Dr. Sajiv and Seema Adlakha) who values their Principles instead of money/opportunity.

The thing which impressed me the most is that here we become life time member of the Swar Sudhar Society - the self-help group and become entitled to attend any number of Group Therapies without paying any additional amount. The Group Therapy, which normally held at the Centre on every Saturday, is the best platform not only to share our feelings but gives an opportunity to become a confident orator. The Yahoo group is also one of the best platforms to share our problems and feeling, not necessarily relating to our speech, but our day-to-day problems, and we get solutions from the members (and expert advice from Dr. Sajiv and Seema), because we understand each other better than any one else. Some people asks me why I started so late, I think it never too late to start with.