“Stutterer Interrupted: The Comedian that Almost Didn’t Happen” is a memoir about the life of Nina G. Nina goes into detail about what it is like to stutter, and to be dyslexic. She is an accomplished writer, special needs counselor, and comedian.
As a woman who stutters like Nina, this book was a breath of fresh air. She tells it like it is with the fierceness that I sometimes wish I had.
Not only is this book important for those who stutter, but it can be an eye-opening experience for those who don’t. Since she is a comedian, her writing is hilarious. But, she still addresses the misassumptions that people who don’t stutter have about her. For those who don’t stutter, reading this book can give you some insight into how to best communicate with a stutterer, or at least better understanding of what they are going through.
The biggest point that I took away from Nina’s book is that she reminded me to keep talking about stuttering. Since there is barely any representation about the stuttering community, more books like this one are needed. Misconceptions about stuttering can easily occur if they are not corrected or addressed.
Like anything else, in order for others to treat those who stutter with kindness and respect, they need to be educated. By simply answering questions or talking about stuttering, I can help bridge the gap.
Not to mention, the other thing that I loved about Nina’s writing is that she is so spot on about stuttering that I caught myself laughing out loud while reading her book. I can’t tell you how much I resonated with Nina’s writing. Her book has become one of my new favorites!
One quote that really stuck out to me was, “Instead of struggling to conform to the ideals of a culture that makes us feel deficient, we can cultivate our own perspective and learn to love ourselves as we are” (G., 125).
Whether you have a stutter, or you have dyslexia, or have any other sort of challenge, we have the power to not let that challenge interfere with our daily lives. Nina’s life is an inspiration to us all because she turned what society told her was a defect, into learning experiences that she uses to better the lives of others.
All in all, I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a funny, insightful, and quick read! Please let us know if you enjoyed it as much as we did! :)
Please call Circle Creek Therapy for any questions or concerns at 253.237.3406.
Source: G., Nina. (2019).“Stutterer Interrupted: The Comedian that Almost Didn’t Happen” California: She Writes Press.