Here is what I do for us
- I am speaking out my mind or that of stutterers, scientists or therapists who do not dare to speak out for various reasons. I am often their voice.
- I am trying to change the nature of the debate. We need less obsession to a feel-good consensus but more constructive and productive debate to question held beliefs and move forward.
- I very often get emails from people or parents who stutter. They are asking for help and advice, or just want someone to talk to. I am often the first person they ever dare sharing their experiences. I always reply to them with advice.
- I am critically reviewing scientific research to a high professional standard. I have a wide range of relevant scientific expertise in areas of statistics, research design, neuroscience, and the ability to quickly get the essentials. I attended world-leading university like Imperial College London or Trinity College, University of Cambridge, and I keep in touch with my old university friends and colleagues. I am also in contact with many university professors in neuroscience.
- I debate different treatment approaches without having the bias of being the provider of a specific treatment. I am independent and show you the alternatives: the benefits and costs of a treatment.
- I keep an eye on our organizations that should help us, and highlight issues or weaknesses when important.
- I have excellent contacts in the stuttering community, and many are supporting my work. Some secretly! ;-) So I know what is going on before others do.
- I function as an information gateway between many involved parties, because I am independent and not a rival to a researcher or therapist. So they are more likely to share information with me.
