commentr/StutterJanuary 13, 2022

Content

Well, here's my story. Maybe this will help you. I've stuttered my whole life, yet only a handful of people knew because I hid it very well. I'd change words, play dumb, use swear words instead of the words I should use, etc. You know the tricks we all use to get by. I absolutely hated public speaking because when all eyes are on me, I'm alway more apt to stutter. I made it through grade school fine, high school fine, no major issues. Nobody knew. Then college. Different world. Lots of public speaking, lots of anxiety about it for me, lots of potential to blow my cover and expose my stutter to the world. I often thought about dropping out. I didn't. I graduated cum laude. All good right? Na. Still have to get a job... Interviewing was hard. I had to carefully word everything. I had to make sure I picked up the phone in case it was a job I applied for because there was no way I could call the back without totally exposing my stutter. It was all so stressful. I get a little sick inside now even writing this for how intensely I tried to hide this. I eventually made it through many interviews, un-exposed! I got a job and landed me another job that landed me another job and currently I'm a Senior Network Engineer. I have to hold meetings, make phone calls, talk to clients, vendors, staff, etc. All jobs require some degree of speaking. If you would have told me in high school that I'd have a job doing what I do now, I'd would have laughed my ass off at you because I didn't believe I could do anything except manual labor due to my stuttering. I'm telling you that you can do this. You will adapt. You will find a way to succeed if this is what you love to do. Don't let the fear of the unknown freeze you with fear. I don't know where I'd be if I had given in to the fear of my stutter. I have a life that I'm proud of. I made something of myself despite a stutter and I'm sure you will too. I am less worried about my stutter now. I don't let it run my life. The stress of having to hide it all the time is too much. I'm sure people at work know I stutter a little, and I don't care. Nobody is perfect. Everybody has their thing. Good luck to you.

Themes

Anticipation & AvoidanceSchool & WorkEmotional ExperienceIdentity & Disability

Subthemes

Hiding & ConcealmentEmployment & CareerHope & MotivationAcceptance & Pride