I'm sorry you've been struggling so much. I've been there and I know it can be very tough. I would like to share a few things I've learned along on my journey that I hope will be of some help: * The goal is not fluency, it is *effective communication*. If you said your name or whatever else you wanted to say, even if it took you 15 seconds, that's a win. You showed up, spoke up, and said what you wanted to say. That's all that matters. * The real issue is not the stutter, it is the *negative thoughts and feelings* surrounding the stutter. The feelings are shame, embarrassment, frustration, nervousness, anger, etc. The thoughts are things like, "God, I stutter so badly, why can't I just speak normally?" or "They must think I'm so weird for not being able to say my name. I'm worthless." It is important to recognize when these come up (they might come up all the time) and learn how to deal with them. With negative feelings, notice them as they come up and then let them go. "Oh, I feel really nervous about my stutter. That's interesting." Don't push your feelings away or feed into them, just observe them. With negative thoughts, notice when you think them and then gently but strongly disagree. You would never say those things to someone else who stuttered, so why would you say them to yourself? If you train in these habits you will get better at calling yourself out and nipping these thoughts and feelings in the bud. * "Those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." These words are deeply true. Most people don't care how you speak and care more about *what* you have to say than how you say it. If you are genuine and present with the other person, they will hear and respect what you are saying no matter how long it takes you. The small percentage of people who make fun of stutterers are always insecure, ignorant, and struggling with their own issues. Don't spend even a second thinking about them or put any value in what they say. * Be authentic with people and true to yourself. Don't use crutches like word avoidance or replacement because these things just feed on themselves. Maintain eye contact and *go ahead and stutter.* Give yourself permission to stutter. If you want, after a very noticeable stutter you can say, "Sometimes I stutter," and then move on. It actually communicates authenticity and self-assuredness. * Regular exercise and meditation can substantially improve your mood and thought patterns. These are powerful, free tools in your toolkit that can really improve your quality of life. I have not completely achieved these goals and I doubt I ever will, but I have made significant progress so I know it is possible. The truth is that you may never achieve full fluency but *you can grow to love and accept yourself as you are*. That is what it really means to conquer a stutter. I know things can seem awful sometimes but please remember that you are worth more than you realize, and that the world is a better place for you being in it.