commentr/StutterMarch 30, 2017

Content

Yeah, but if you're going to feature someone who stutters, you probably want to understand what "overcoming" generally means to people who stutter. It's about having less anxiety about how you are perceived, anxiety which can be so severe that it cripples a person, imprisons them, does not allow them to pursue what they are interested in, stops them from socializing, meeting new people, going after the job they want (or any job at ALL), talking on the phone, ordering food, speaking to certain people (or speaking at ALL in more cases than you'd imagine) -- any of these things, plus more. So.....although less anxiety, shame, hopelessness, etc., *can* lead to less stuttering, the real thing is being able to pursue what you want *regardless* of stuttering. Most people who set out to be "stutter free" end up more frustrated and imprisoned. There are exceptions, but for your purposes, I would not focus on those exceptions, as most of the non-stuttering world already thinks a stutter is something you should get "fixed," and equally unhelpful, that it's caused by nervousness, lack of self-esteem. (Nervousness, etc. can make it worse, just like stress makes most conditions worse. But it is not the cause.) Most stutterers would wish you to show how devastating stuttering can be, but also that it can be possible to have a fulfilling life with a stutter.

Themes

Emotional ExperienceAnticipation & AvoidanceIdentity & Disability

Subthemes

Anxiety & Social JudgmentHelplessness & AgencyHiding & ConcealmentIdentity & Self-PerceptionAcceptance & Pride