John Hendrickson

Wow! This book had me hooked within the first few pages. I wish I had understood stuttering more when I was a teacher. I didn't have many who did stutter, but John's story gave me a profound respect and how to react when someone is stuttering. I could relate to John having a sibling who was cruel, as well. John really did overcome, and highly succeed. Each time John landed a job with a big agency, I was in awe. It makes me realize how I and so many others are truly underachievers. But the biggest surprise was the story about Joe Biden, which I did not know or realize how severe it was. I am NOT a Joe Biden fan with his decisions, policies and more, but when I heard how he has to compensate to speak, I had a HUGE respect for him for that. I also was awed at how climbing to the top as president must have been hard. I remember recently when it was pointed out that Biden had said something inane at the beginning of a speech. He starts out talking about how he likes ice cream, when it was a serious speech. I thought it was kind of creepy when I heard about it. Now I have a huge suspicion that he was not able to get out his first thoughts, so he offered a diversion while he scrambled to communicate.
I will be honest. I was grumbling and unhappy through most of the book that the whole family allowed his brother to be physically abusive to John, as that ALONE is enough to send someone into therapy for life. They let him down. I am glad they admit it, but it sounded like they really don't realize that they didn't have a CLUE as to how to parent a child. I am old school. I know how I would have "fixed" that little situation. I understand that some children are violent and need therapy, but not once did I ever hear of any punishment for what the brother did. Too many families play favorites, and I heard that message loud and clear throughout the book. I do believe in forgive and forget, but I also believe in a God that is the ultimate judge and will punish those who hurt His children. How? I don't know. That part does not matter. God makes the punishment fit the crime. Maybe it happens on earth with less blessings. But this book is a HUGE resource and blessing for those in Education, for speech therapists, for stutterers who feel alone and misunderstood, and for the general public who needs to learn ASAP that making fun of a disability should land them some jail time. Sorry, but I feel very passionate about that. If you make racist remarks, or show prejudice against someone based on sexual preferences, you are highly punished. So I think it is past time to fight for all disabilities, overt or hidden. Thank you to the author for his courage to share his true story, and pain!… (meer)

This candid memoir vividly captures the daunting, minute-by-minute challenges facing people who struggle with stuttering. Hendrickson skillfully blends scientific insights with raw anecdotes to lead readers on an enlightening journey. The author vaulted into the spotlight after The Atlantic published his article about Joe Biden’s lifelong challenges with stuttering. Having spent more than 35 years as a communications instructor who has stressed the importance of student contributions to our lively discussions, “Life on Delay” has prodded to me wonder how many of the 2,000 students I’ve taught may have remained silent during these exercises - not out of disinterest - but because they stutter.… (meer)

An incredible memoir and description of what life is like for a person who stutters. Having found myself in this situation for over 7 decades this exceptionally well written account of what daily life is like for those of us who have difficulty saying our names, answering the telephone and doing the many other daily conversational activities that 99% of the population rarely thinks about- speaking- one could not ask for a better story.
Should be read by every practitioner in the field of speech therapy as well as all parents and siblings of individuals who stutter. It will open your eyes and break your heart at the same time.
Hendrickson narrates his own experience as a stutterer as well as his numerous interviews and discussions with others who have unique but very similar life experiences. He couples these experiences with the latest research and understanding of this age old and world wide speaking characteristic. Once I began reading this book I could not put it down. It certainly helped to answer and clarify a lot of questions I have had about this very personal attribute.… (meer)