commentr/StutterOctober 15, 2018

Content

I know this might be a controversial response, but in a higher education setting especially as a first year student you might consider incorporating your stutter into the presentation. Whether it be a hand out, a projection of your presentation or even several large poster boards you, you could begin with that and how listening to words and music through headphones might not be unique but it is in through a different frame when part of who you are is a stutterer. There is the comfort of being immersed in your music or podcasts or even just having the headphones in because you for that time you have much less to worry about regarding unsolicited questions that may provoke block. Truth is, opening up like this might make you a close friend who never would have known you stutter. I know I wish someone in my college would have been open about their stutter, not just an open stutterer, if you know what I mean. Especially considering what the broad assignment is about, it sets a tone that you are owning your stutter and not letting it own you, something i wish had done 20 years before I truly began to OWN it. However you go about it, remember there is an unfortunate human psychological component that will make others’ reactions different depending on whether you confidently stutter or whether you confidently stutter and make it known that it is indeed part of your identity - to many thoughtful people it will make you far more interesting and complex as a person and potential friend. Good luck and remember, you got some great company of stutterers and stammerers and many of them that are famous become so much more interesting when they actually discuss their stutter as a part of who they were/are/will be regardless of how controlled they have their fluency at that moment. Cheers!

Themes

Coping & AdvocacyIdentity & Disability

Subthemes

Voluntary Stuttering & ExposureAuthenticity vs. MaskingIdentity & Self-PerceptionAcceptance & Pride

Codes (1)

public_speaking