I have a story about your last sentence, people thinking we are “retarded.” Sometimes it can be a benefit. When I was in my early 20s, I got pulled over by a cop for driving in the high occupancy vehicle lane as a single driver (which is a moving violation in the state of Texas and subject to a ticket and a fine). I knew I wasn’t supposed to, but I was late for work and in a hurry. Well, when the officer came up to my window, forget about stringing two words together I couldn’t string two syllables together. Literally could not put two syllables together, I was that flustered, upset, and nervous. The worst my speech has ever been in my life. He looked at me for a good 30 seconds, looked my license and insurance card, and asked me if I was OK. I struggled to get out a “yes, officer.” He let me off with a warning and told me not to do it again. Phew! At the time, and still to this day, I think he thought I was special-needs, and that’s why I got off with just a warning. That incident remains just about the only time in my life I was thankful for my stutter.