commentr/StutterSeptember 6, 2020

Content

i’m a 39M and a pws. i was covert (could hide my stutter) for much of my life, and one way i was able to do that was by avoiding situations, social engagements, and yes, even interviews. when avoiding, this can become a pattern, and next time around, it could even be a bit easier to avoid that next interview. so, i’m also really involved in the stuttering community, i did that when moving to nyc a few years back when i was struggling to put myself out there and network, interview, etc. to make a long story short, some of the best communicators i have met in my life are people who stutter. people who stay connected with their listener, people who maintain eye contact. people who stutter openly, and people who stay present. this isn’t always easy and it’s not possible all the time (don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t always put yourself ‘out there’ like that), it takes a bit of practicing and doing it a few times. but my advice is, do the interview, ‘advertise,’ something like, “hi, i just want to share that i stutter, you’ll hear me doing that during the interview. i like to share that during my interviews so it’s not a distraction.” OR any way you feel comfortable advertising. but whatever you do, do NOT apologize about your stutter. not because of how it may be viewed by the interviewer, but instead because our voices are just as important than the voices of everyone else, and they deserve to be heard, so there isn’t any reason to say/feel sorry - i used feel that way, and sometimes feel like that today when i get in a weird headspace. in any case, i’m sure your interview will go fine. let us know how it goes!!

Themes

Anticipation & AvoidanceCoping & AdvocacySchool & WorkSocial & Relationships

Subthemes

Hiding & ConcealmentSelf-Advocacy & BoundariesEmployment & CareerFriendships & BelongingDisclosure & Telling Others