Im 31 and still stutter. Not as bad as I did when I was younger but its still a daily "struggle" (although I don't see it as a struggle ANYMORE) I was a very fearful kid growing up. I was always stressed about being teased called stupid or retarded to my face. I learned that if I stay silent then no one will make fun of my speech. This built up a wall around me and I didnt realize how damaging it was until i was getting out of high school and getting into the "real world" When i was still in school i got more comfortable with my stutter by finding a group of friends to be around that seemed to not even pay attention to my stutter, this was the first big win I remember. The freedom to talk with other people that didnt try to complete my thoughts or words. The ability to start laughing at how bad my stutter could be. (Im sure there's some comical times everyone can share about stuttering) When I got out of high school I made it a habit to try and atleast say hello to a few randoms during the day. Just a simple "Hello" in passing. Doing this got my comfortable saying a single word to a stranger. When I I started to look for a job I tried to find a spot that would make me have to talk to people more. I became a maintenance worker for a local gym. This helped alot because people are already distracted by the work out and not by how my stutter sounds. What im trying ti get at is stuttering suck forsure, I think we can all agree to this to a point. But you can not let it silence you. You cant let that anxiety grow so big that you cant say your name. Thays YOUR name, and it is who YOU are. So even if you stutter saying your name you say it like this; "Hello, my name is - CONFIDENT MFr-" You will find your voice i promise you that. You will find the people that dont hear your stutter. And you will be the best person that you let yourself be. -with much respect my stuttering family, stay strong