With
the title Stutterer Interrupted, readers might expect a memoir
about the literal and figurative interruptions in the life
of someone who stutters, and that’s exactly what this
book provides. The author (who also has dyslexia) is a disability
advocate by day and standup comedian by night, so much of
her time is spent educating the able-bodied to be more sensitive
to the disabled.
Non-stutterers have offered the author unsolicited advice
throughout her life that has no connection to the physiological
condition that causes stuttering. “Just breathe,”
“relax,” and “get intrusive brain surgery”
are among the more common suggestions she has heard. As a
child, the author (who earned a doctorate and performs a variety
of public speaking assignments) was told repeatedly that she
did not have the aptitude to do anything beyond flipping burgers
at a fast food restaurant. Her standup routines, advocacy,
doctorate, and this book reflect her defiance at being told
what she can’t do.
With the subtitle, The Comedian Who Almost Didn’t Happen,
readers might expect the memoir to be a comical look at the
author’s life experiences, but that’s not what
this book provides. Instead of a light look back, she offers
a bold, confrontational, and aggressive examination of those
who’ve helped her and those who’ve hurt her. Occasional
glimpses of Nina G’s humor also are included in the
book (e.g., putting ketchup on a sanitary napkin before sticking
it to the wall and heckling hecklers at comedy shows about
their presumably small penises), although her comedy is secondary
to her stories about disability.
This book is most effective as a memoir about a stutterer
and dyslexic who overcame most of the stigmas, barriers, and
baggage associated with disability (while still maintaining
the disabilities). The book informs those without disabilities
how she prefers to be treated, because as stated in the introduction:
“When all is said and done, I can only speak for myself.”
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