Autumn 2001

A letter from Greece

In the mid 1990s the Greek Stammering Association was formed, but unfortunately the association did not last. However, similar to stuttering and therapy, self-help is a dynamic process with its ups and downs, beginnings and endings. We are glad to have a new contact in Greece who introduces himself.

I'm a male stutterer from Greece and my name is Aris. I'm 20 years old and I study physics at the university. My formal first name is "Aristomenes". No, Aristomenes wasn't a stutterer as the famous ancient Greek orator Demosthenes. Aristomenes was a traditional hero of an unsuccessful revolt against the Spartans by the Messenians, who had been enslaved by Sparta in the 8th century BC.

When the Spartans finally conquered that stronghold, Aristomenes escaped to live in exile on the island of Rhodes. Until last year I was included in the category of stutterers who manage to hide their stuttering. It's known that the "covert" stutterer can be crippled by severe psychological fear and anxiety. I couldn't hide my stuttering any more and last year I carried out some deep research into stuttering to help myself. I followed the philosophy of Socrates (who is the greatest philosopher of all eras J) "Be aware of your self". As Benny Ravid says to his article "A world that understands stuttering", a person who stutters has to take care of him/herself and humanity.

This last month I have been inspired about setting up a governmental stuttering association in Greece. In my country there hasn't been a stuttering association until now. I think Greece is the excellent country that can contribute to the theme of stuttering. Greece has a great advantage, it has a long history of stuttering.

I have sent many mails to politicians (included the ministers of health and labour) about the problems of stuttering and the creation of a governmental association. I think that I'm the only person in Greece who has reported about the problems of stuttering at a political level. To date I have had a simple reply from the minister of health but I'm waiting for more elaborate replies from other ministers.

I feel that the democracy in my country works very well and probably I will have more replies soon. So hopefully I will be like my hero Aristomenes and have lasting success.