Today we had a unique agenda for our SHG meeting- outdoor
activities. These included talking to strangers, practice of voluntary
stuttering and stammering interviews.
activities. These included talking to strangers, practice of voluntary
stuttering and stammering interviews.
Three of us- Dnyanesh, Vikas and I (Harish) met at the B.
R. Ambedkar Park in the heart of Panaji city, and off we were on our mission to
find strangers to exhibit our stammer.
R. Ambedkar Park in the heart of Panaji city, and off we were on our mission to
find strangers to exhibit our stammer.
Harish started by talking to a couple of people in the
park in voluntary stuttering by asking directions to a place. Unfortunately,
most people were tourists and couldn’t provide the directions, but everybody
was patient during the blocks and secondary symptoms.
park in voluntary stuttering by asking directions to a place. Unfortunately,
most people were tourists and couldn’t provide the directions, but everybody
was patient during the blocks and secondary symptoms.
We then moved out of the park and Vikas asked prices of
fruits in a road-side fruit selling cart.
fruits in a road-side fruit selling cart.
Our next destination was a travel agency, in which we
went and Dnyanesh inquired about buses from Goa to Pune (which of course was
useful for him as he is travelling to Pune soon for the workshop). Dnyanesh did
a splendid job of inquiring which was then supported by Vikas. Harish also
joined in and asked questions, and three of us inquired about travels and bus
fares till the person at the counter gave us a rather unwelcoming look.
went and Dnyanesh inquired about buses from Goa to Pune (which of course was
useful for him as he is travelling to Pune soon for the workshop). Dnyanesh did
a splendid job of inquiring which was then supported by Vikas. Harish also
joined in and asked questions, and three of us inquired about travels and bus
fares till the person at the counter gave us a rather unwelcoming look.
Moving on, we went on to a foreign tourist- a middle-aged
man from Ireland, whose name was Diniz. We practiced stuttering interview with
him. He was very friendly and had very positive views about stammering, much
like the common views here- it happens when you are nervous, so speak slow. We
informed him about TISA and knowing which, he helped by asking each one of us
more questions and the discussion went on for quite a long time. We bade
farewell to this noble man who always maintained a smiling face when he was
talking.
man from Ireland, whose name was Diniz. We practiced stuttering interview with
him. He was very friendly and had very positive views about stammering, much
like the common views here- it happens when you are nervous, so speak slow. We
informed him about TISA and knowing which, he helped by asking each one of us
more questions and the discussion went on for quite a long time. We bade
farewell to this noble man who always maintained a smiling face when he was
talking.
Further we all approached a Keralite family- parents and
a son, waiting for their bus to arrive. We practiced stuttering interview with
them as well, spoke about TISA and asked their views about stammering. The
parents knew only Malayalam, so the son translated what his parents wanted to
say. Here too we discussed for around 10 minuites, and they were very warm,
told us not to worry and encouraged all of us to speak slowly and to overcome
it.
a son, waiting for their bus to arrive. We practiced stuttering interview with
them as well, spoke about TISA and asked their views about stammering. The
parents knew only Malayalam, so the son translated what his parents wanted to
say. Here too we discussed for around 10 minuites, and they were very warm,
told us not to worry and encouraged all of us to speak slowly and to overcome
it.
We then headed to a Garment showroom, and Vikas bargained
for the price of a jean with a very adamant sales guy who was not ready accept
any bargain.
for the price of a jean with a very adamant sales guy who was not ready accept
any bargain.
Finally, we thought of relaxing in a coffee shop. But
here too, Dnyanesh helped us by ordering for all three of us. Relishing the
chilled cold coffee was a perfect ending after all the adventure we had with
the outdoor activities.
here too, Dnyanesh helped us by ordering for all three of us. Relishing the
chilled cold coffee was a perfect ending after all the adventure we had with
the outdoor activities.
We plan to have more such meetings, specially dedicated
to outdoor activities only. It sure is lot of fun!
to outdoor activities only. It sure is lot of fun!
Comments are closed.