From: Gina Waggott
Date: 10/22/01
Time: 11:54:35 AM
Remote Name: 194.82.103.138
I remember this like it was yesterday. I was 11 years old, walking down the street talking with a friend, and there was two guys walking in front of us, one about 60, one about 30 - and obviously very drunk.
They kept turning around and was obviously listening to my speech. It became worse as I became more conscious of them listening to me.
Suddenly, without any warning at all, the older guy turned around and said: "Shut up, you stuttering freak - and look at you, you're ***ing ugly as well"
Can you imagine what that felt like? I still wince when I think of it. HOWEVER... I've come a long way since then. The only ugly person in that exchange was that man who dared to call me a freak. I've used it as a fuel. During the past year or so I've been putting together an online article/reference point for younger people. The name? "Freaky Speech". The slogan? "Don't shut up a bit, or put up with it". Here's to the hope that the other people out there will realise how true that is.
-Gina :-)