Content
Yes, twice. I married my college sweetheart in 1974 and he died in a plane crash in 1979. Fast forward to 1987 and I married my second husband. We’ve been married for 37 years, have two sons and two granddaughters. Both of my husbands knew I stuttered, and were ok with it. At both weddings we said our vows in unison. Problem solved. If someone loves you, they love all of you… imperfections and all. My second husband told me that one reason he loved me is that I never let my stuttering define my life or my career. I was a university administrator until our sons were 3 and 5, I then earned my masters in education and taught high school literature for almost 20 years. I was upfront with my students that I’d never read aloud, and I had many volunteers to read in every class. I taught stutterers and we always bonded. Stuttering has made me more empathetic, kinder and gave me the ability to just say f@&k stuttering. Tens years ago I had a double mastectomy. My husband had a shirt made that said “F*CK CANCER” and underneath it had in tiny letters “(and stuttering!)” My thoughts exactly. I’m now almost 71. I still stutter. Some days are bad stuttering days, some good. When I go to my doctors office, I am asked to confirm my birth date and name. July 30, 1953. I stutter on the th in thirtieth, f in fifty three. I’ve had nurses and med techs laugh in my face. I don’t get angry, I turn on my bitch mode and ask them “I’m sorry, do you find stuttering funny? I don’t. Please respect me and my disability.” Whoa, I love watching them squirm. They can’t get away fast enough. LOL. Yes, it’s mean. But they’re wrong, not me. Bottom line… you will find love. Put yourself out there to meet people. Stay away from bars. Try clubs, church and outdoor activities.