In this fourth installment of our Q and A series with past attendees of our conferences – in anticipation of our upcoming 2015 conference (details here) – our subject is Alexandra D'Agostino. Alexandra is a board member for the CSA and involved in the NSA in the States as well.
1. Tell us about yourself.
Hi everyone, my name is Alexandra D’Agostino and I am 22 years old. I am a student at Wilfrid Laurier University, double majoring in Psychology and Anthropology!
I am on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Stuttering Association, and I am also a part of the National Stuttering Association in the United States. Music is my passion, I play 7 instruments! I am hoping to pursue a Master’s degree in Music Therapy one day.
2. What was it like for you to grow up stuttering?
I started stuttering when I was 7 and it was tough growing up, I’m not going to lie. I was severely bullied from the age of 7, up until I was 16. I would pretend to be sick and I would stay home from school when I had to do a class presentation. I was, and still am, very lucky to have 2 supportive parents who have helped me along the way and have been there for me through thick and thin. Stuttering has also helped me over the years to differentiate between my real friends, and the people who are just passing by in my life. Overall my stuttering has definitely made me a stronger person!
3. What is your favourite memory/experience of CSA?
My favourite experience with the CSA thus far was the conference we had last year in October in Toronto! It was gratifying being a part of the CSA conference relaunch event, and I really enjoyed meeting many people who stutter who were Canadian! After spending many years going to National Stuttering Association conferences in the United States and only meeting a handful of Canadians, it was refreshing to meet and get to know as many people as I did at the CSA conference last year!
4. What difference has the Canadian Stuttering Association made to you?
Being invited to be on the Board of Directors for the CSA has changed my life! It has been such an extraordinary and honouring experience helping to revitalize the CSA from the ground up.
5. Do you have a tip you'd like to share with others who stutter?
My tip for all the people who stutter out there, is to not care or pay attention to what other people think about you. It can be a hard concept to learn and ascertain, but once you do you are more confident in yourself and you can stutter like a rock star to anyone who will listen!