Do you enjoy your present job or its just what pays the bills? Do you have other activities you enjoy out of the job? I've had a few colleagues who stuttered and they were highly competitive in their respective fields. strived mostly for personal excellence,not really bothered about climbing the cooperate ladder as some of them held 2~3 jobs.. They got their feelings out of their work and stayed focused to rack up that cash.There obviously would be some cuts and bruises but the reality of this situation is financial freedom should be your priority..Get so good at what you do you won't have to rely on office politics to move ahead. Even if you do find yourself in such a situation, being very skilled in your field of expertise should be able to speak for you.. Be on the look out for other high paying job too as having options would drastically reduce this fear you are feeling now... Put yourself out there,the world is yours to take dont hold yourself back irrespective of who's gonna laugh at you!! You are fighting for your life not theirs.if you dont fight for yours nobody would fight for you!!.