Well written essay, I enjoyed reading it. It is especially hard to deal with a heavy stammer during childhood, I've experienced it myself. What you said about it breeding compassion, humility, etc... really resonated with me. It has made me a much kinder and wiser adult than I probably would have become without the stutter. I agree that the problem is a hereditary and neurological one, one that has a lot to do with our brains dopamine household system, but at the same time also has a major psychological component to it that we shouldn't downplay. What happens in our childhood and even later life can trigger it into existence whereas it could also lie dormant for someone's entire life. The more comfortable I am around a person the easier my speech flows. Simple as that. Situations with strangers and especially with people who I don't like tend to worsen my stutter. Sometimes it can even act like sort of a self defence mechanism, reserved for people who I absolutely can not stand, where I subconsciously let them know that I don't want to interact with them at all. This al seems very psychological to me. And then there's the whole physical component to it as well. Being well rested or not, sober or under the influence, under stress, etc... It's such a complex condition that I'm not surprised we are no where near figuring it out, let alone 'solving' it. What I think most people mean by no one cares is that people in general are more worried about their own problems and shortcomings than yours. Second of all, people worthwhile will respect you as a person either way. The really good ones will genuinely ask you about it and will only give advice when asked for it. Wishing you well on your journey <3