Stuttering, Fashion, and Inclusivity w/ Mia Hitterman (Part 2)

Transcript

Mia Hitterman:

So now I'm having all these conversations ever since I got back and from sharing my story about stuttering. And it's so weird to me, because I'm just like real was this when I, like needed this the most?

Maya Chupkov:

I'm Maya Chupkov. And I'm a woman who stutters Welcome to proud stutter, a show about stuttering and embracing verbal diversity in an effort to change how we talk about it. one conversation at a time.

Welcome back to part two of our interview with Mia hit Herman and our guest co host, Lila, Korea, if you haven't had a chance to check out part one, I really recommend you do so. But both interviews can also be listened to by themselves. I hope you enjoy this part two, Episode Sowmya. A topic that we tend to talk about a lot on this show is intersectionality. And how many people who stutter also have other identities? And I'm always so fascinated with how people talk about their different identities and how they intersect. So I kind of wanted to ask you the same question because I know you have talked about having multiple identities, being someone who's adopted being Chinese, etc. And I would love it if you can talk about your different identities and how they intersect with your stutter.

Mia:

So yes, I you know, Chinese, male, can I feel more Chinese like I like I feel like that's the way but I'm so like, a male like it like I'm Chinese Americans. I mean, I've always just been curious about my Chinese culture.

Because, you know, when you go into like, school, especially in high school, like, you start thinking, okay, like,

what makes me like, you know, me, and I realized in college that my stutter makes me like, that's how I communicate. And that's how I really I'm able to share, like, all of my insecurities with people is because like, I feel like, not bad. Like, I kind of have to, but it puts the pressure off of everything. And it feels so good to be like, Yes, I started. I'm a Chinese adoptee, I'm a college student, like, this is all me and multiple things, not just one thing. All of these titles have helped me become the person who I am today. And so I can, like use that experience to you know, promote inclusive designs in the fashion industry, as well as give back to organizations that I know, will help people who need different support in various fields that like, like, that I'm not as experienced. So, yeah, I mean, you talk a lot about community and the importance of support from your community. Can you talk more about how your community has taken care of you as a person who stutters I have always had the support of my family, especially my depth sisters. They are really like, the people who have made me feel comfortable that it is okay to start off. But not only that, but you deserve to be heard no matter what. And I should never allow people to take like that power away from me. And that took me so long to like, just really understand and take part in that.

It really started in like, college, I feel. And I've always been a very reflective person. Mostly because, like, I feel like I understand people because I used to be very silence like, I feel like I know what people are going to and like I feel like I can feel maybe like their insecurities when they're like talking or something

But I think now doing the work. It has made me a good advocate for, like schools, and they will.

Did they tell us the ability services, I don't know that this is true about all schools in the States, but like, at my school is like speech therapy is offered through K through 12. But then in college, it goes like, like, oh, wait, it's not, like, really awkward. And so I think it really, that taught me how to advocate for my self, and to really make sure that the students who do have stilettos feel supported in the school. And that comes from my, from the Center for Cultural liberation, which is a job, I look at my school, which really promotes students from marginalized communities. And every single month, we create events that help like support our students, and really just truly feel confident enough in the in themselves, person waste their own culture. And I think that because I have these support, from my job at the school, and like all my family and friends that really has allowed me to really be more confident in my stutter. But I think as for myself, how, how can I be the person to help support people, I think it's really just making sure that I'm taking care of myself, like, I'm always doing a lot of things because I'm a fashion design major. And so really, I make sure that I am getting enough sleep, I am drinking enough water, like everything, I need to support myself first. And then I can support other people, I think that's what is really like, the biggest lesson is suppose you need to take care of yourself. And then you can help other people. And I think that's how I'm able to do all of this work is because of the support from, like my pageant sisters and my family and my school. And, yeah, well, I mean, I like what you're, what you're highlighting, right and bringing up that when it comes to having a stutter, or a speech impediment, anything that has to do with, you know, we talk often about expression, and there's many ways that one can express oneself, not just through, like, not just verbally, you know, but also I mean, you're a fashion designer, through, you know, K through 12.

Lila Carillo:

You know, fingers crossed, not everywhere, but for the most part, access to to speech therapy, or, you know, support, research those resources and supports, maybe there but somehow thinking that that'll, like, when you go to college, then you're on your own, and you don't need those support services anymore. It's a little bit. It's kind of short sighted, especially at a time where I think that, you know, as you've identified you, and I identify with this as well, that it's in college, that we some, you know, we we, so many of us spread our wings, and we find our you know, we find ourselves in a such a different way, and we have this very formative experience that really does, you know, catapult us to the next stage in our life. I think about that for myself, as well. And to think that, yeah, there's a lot of resources and support services that are not are no longer offered at that stage in your life. I do think it's short sighted. So it's something to, like, my policy brain is activated.

Lila:

Yeah. And it really does take like the leadership of students to like, create those opportunities, which like it shouldn't rasam the students because like, not everyone's meow and like, has this profound life, perspective and confidence. And so if we could have a me at every college, then I think we'd be okay. But But yeah, but so much change has happened because of the power of students. Yeah. I think that's something that students who have a lot of power and it's always amazing to see how much generations to shift the narrative and push things forward.

Maya:

Yeah, I totally agree that it really is going to take energy from the younger generation and students to collectively collectively build power.

And on that note, we're going to take take a quick break.

Do you want to get paid to participate in a research study that involves stuttering? The mumble melody research team at MIT invites adults across the US who stutter to be part of a one month study on new audio based approaches for speech fluency. It's simple engage with the mumble melody app for five minutes daily through an iPhone, iPad, or Mac device, participate in weekly 30 minute recording sessions and help them explore the nuances in speech fluency. You'll receive up to $70 plus a pair of wired headphones ready to get paid to help influence stuttering research, find the link in our podcast description, or go to red cap dot link slash mumble melody study that's red cap dot link slash mumble melody study.

And we're back. Mia, can you talk about how you feel about the younger generation as it relates to advocating for disabilities? Any thoughts around that?

Mia:

I think the most interesting thing about like, this time, I don't know about you, but now on YouTube. And like on Tiktok, I'm seeing so many people just like talk about like how they'll helping like the community, like so much like content is getting created about people like helping the community and stuff like that. And it's really interesting. And like social changes, like a lot of social change, like media, which is so interesting to me, because like I wouldn't be on Instagram and like there is this Well, with this podcast itself, but also like other people who are advocating about stuttering and advocating in general, I feel like now has become like a new, like, trend kind of trend. Like I feel like it's so interesting, because I can feel like people are really taking like, leadership. And I feel like people are really like interested in how to be like the change for people now. Yeah, yeah, no. Yeah. It was just so yeah, it was so weird to me, because now I have, they were to go to other fashion students at my school. And I had told them about how I stuttered. And interesting enough that they had told me that they started to. And so and I, and I also recently started an internship. And the woman had said to me, like, you know, like, I know you stood up, but I just want to let you know that like, take your time if you need to, because I understand because one of my relatives, stilettos, too. So now I'm having all these conversations ever since I got back and from sharing my story about stuttering. And it's so weird to me, because I'm just like, well, was this when I, like, needed this the most in my K through 12 education. So, like, I just wanted to bring that up, because I thought that's so interesting that this is like the period that I feel like there was truly like, starting to gain, like, support for you know. So yeah.

Lila:

I think that that's the power of sharing stories, right. And I think to your point that the fact that because of the different platforms, and because of social media, it can be so much more widespread and shared the stories and normalizing something that you know, before either has been hidden or, you know, we have not seen it as normal. So being able to have access to, to create our own content and create our own narrative and, you know, highlight something that perhaps we don't see ourselves represented otherwise. I think that's again, that's that's the power of Mia and Maya, both of you telling your story than to uplifting, right? These These, these experiences, because so often, the things that we go through, they can seem so isolating, and they can seem like, you know, when we're struggling and we're navigating in our own challenges it, you know, especially if it again, is something that and I use this word normalize intentionally, right, because it's, it's something that we have led to, you know, we're led to believe that it's not quote unquote, normal. Then we are silenced by that label. Right. It's like the whole normal label, whatever doesn't fall, whatever doesn't fall within that very narrow definition. Then it's so easy to be silenced by it. It's so easy to wanna hide? So, to talk about it and to share, it, sheds light and highlights it, and then somebody else can be like, Oh, my God, I feel so you know, I feel, you know, I'm not alone. And then it it's a whole conversation starts the whole, you know, it becomes a bit of a, it's an echo, you hear the echo?

Maya:

Yes, I totally agree with with all of that. Mia, you mentioned, you're really into fashion. And that's what you're studying in school? Can you talk about why you chose fashion and how it intersects with all the stuff I guess we just talked about?

Mia:

Fashion is a way that you can express yourself. But for me, I feel like when I was in high school, like the clothing that you will, I feel like, it tells so much about who you are. And for a person who stutters and did not have the confidence at that time, I think that really like was a way I could communicate, like how to represent me, by now, as a college student, I realized that fashion really, truly does, has have the power to help spread the message, you know, right now.

The fashion word is really involved in sustainability. And especially in other like, businesses, too. But I think what was the interesting thing is I took this social change class, for fashion. And it was interesting, because it talked about universal designs, which is really just making an inclusive clothing. And like, for people, like you know, with disabilities or not, and it really just make sure that everyone feels like a part of the fashion world. And I think it really hit me because my mom has diabetes, and she needs to wear a, like a pump. And that there is really no clothing that is accessible towards that. And I think as fashion designers, we all especially ones who are studying right now in school really have the power to be the problem solvers, for tomorrow's you know, problems. And so I feel like we have a responsibility to give back to the community that has always supported, like all of us. And that really the time, but change is now like we really can't afford to continue on this path of like, not being accessible, like hurting all ecosystem, like that's never gonna go away. And we need to just get this stuff done now, because time is running out. And so I think that's really what a lot of my friends and I have been, like thinking about. And that's how we design our clothing is to think about how much like how we need to plan to make the clothing so we don't waste fabric, and like different ways to create fabric that is more accessible, especially for like, you know, you like using snaps, or hooks instead of like zippers, because that might be not accessible for some people. So it's really having these conversations, I think is really how fashion like captured my attention more because I just was like, yeah, like, really like, the work starts like, now it started in when I entered the mannequin. But like all the work like starts now and the school is really such a great way to learn how to just like really evaluate what needs to be done and how we can create clothing that is in an even more creative way to be more or less harmful plus accessible. That's awesome. I know. Wow.

Lila:

Yay, the next generation I know I'm so hopeful.

Maya:

And that concludes part two of our interview with Mia and Lila. Thank you so much for tuning in, and see you next time.

And that's it for this episode of proud stutter this episode of proud stutter was produced and edited by me, Maya Chupkov. Our music was composed by a gusto, Denise, and our artwork by Mara zekiel and Noah Chupkov. If you have an idea or want to be part of a future episode, visit us at www dot proud stutter.com. And if you liked the show, you can leave us a review wherever you're listening to this podcast. Want to leave us a voicemail? Check out our show notes for that the number to call in more importantly, tell your friends to listen to until we meet again. Thanks for listening. Be proud and be you