A couple of things you probably don’t
know about me, Bobby Gellert…
I was a fierce stutterer when I was a kid – ages 4 to 10
I was also born with congenital (at birth) hearing loss – 30% in both ears – and still the
same to this day
My parents were great - extremely resourceful and supportive
For the greater part of those 6 years, several times a week, we would go to Queens
College for therapy and treatment
Working through the stuttering was time consuming
And funny though, it was difficult for everyone else, but me…!!
I was taught sign language and to read lips - both as tools to help me hear and
communicate
Ha! Reading lips has not been so easy to do while we wear masks during COVID!!
But these were big challenges for a kid and I have vivid memories of the things we used
to do and the doctors I worked with through those years
I reflect on those days from time to time and the concluding story is that on my final
day going to Queens College before my family moved to Long Island from Queens
The head therapist – who was like an older brother - asked me if I could have any
three wishes what would they be?
I answered: “to be a major league baseball player, to go ice skating and to
go to the circus”.
He looked at my mom and while he might have expected that one of my
wishes would be to not stutter anymore, he said: “he will absolutely be
fine, we have no doubt”.
I am grateful for those experiences and relationships.
I know those times have made me more resilient and compassionate.
And he was right!
20 CRYDER POINT COURIER | FEBRUARY 2021| WWW.QUEENSCOURIER.COM
/WWW.QUEENSCOURIER.COM
