postr/StutterApril 9, 2024

For the first time no one had to speak for me when I bought food and I feel good.

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Content

For the first time no one had to speak for me when I bought food and I feel good. Yesterday (Tue, April 8) at 12 PM, my stutter became the worst it has ever been throughout all my 15 years (i got a head injury at 5 and I've been stuttering ever since). I was having a conversation with my friend who also has a stuttering issue but less severe than mine. It took me 15-20 seconds to say 3 words. "I agree bro" I had to break "bro" down, I said b--ro. So even he got shocked, he wondered what happened, I saw the look on his face and I just got so angry, not at him but my stutter, I yelled "fuck this stupid stutter" for the next 2 minutes I yapped about my own opinion for the conversation we had prior. I had no breaks, no blocked throat, my breathing was normal, my hate for stuttering caused me to stutter less it seems. It then clicked, the only times where I never ever stutter is when I make voice messages to people. I wondered if I pretended to record a message on the phone I would speak without breaks, I put the theory in a practical session. There are 5 main scenarios in which my speech varied: 1.Talking with family(irl/call) 2.When I'm with my close friends.(irl/call) 3. When I'm with acquaintances I'm familiar with. 3. With strangers. 4. When ordering food, physically and through electronic means. I have missed some but these are the scenarios I face daily from easiest speech to hardest. The first I did was have a conversation with my friend irl, we talked about Star Wars because he just started the franchise and wanted me to join in, there were breaking in my speech but they weren't as apparent, after I called my friend in another region to share the news + put the theory into practice. There were no breaks. Last thing I did was order food, that was the scariest part because it was a new place, I stood infront of the vendor and placed my order(I had no breaks) then I told him my name because he would use that to verify the payment. Pronouncing my name is the hardest part of my speech, i have an issue with the alphabet J, but glory be to God I said it with fluency and a smile on my face. It was the happiest I have ever been in my entire life. My confidence shot through the roof and that was also the best meal of my life. Of course, I had to breath as well, that's the most important part. I don't know if this would work for just me but I encourage you to start recording voice notes to people to trust or even your pet or something, I'm still practicing the method so I think with more time I would be more fluent in my speech. God bless🫰🏿

Themes

Emotional ExperienceAnticipation & AvoidanceIdentity & DisabilitySocial & Relationships

Subthemes

Hope & MotivationHiding & ConcealmentAvoidance & SubstitutionIdentity & Self-PerceptionQuality of LifeAcceptance & Pride

Codes (1)

ordering_service_encounter