postr/StutterJuly 19, 2025

I was once exorcized because of my stutter.

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I was once exorcized because of my stutter. Throughout my life, my stutter has led me into some very unusual situations. During one of my clinical rotations back in 2019, I was tasked with shadowing a Respiratory Therapist (RT) at a rural community hospital. My preceptor, who we will call Terri, was known throughout the local respiratory world for how vocal and pushy she was about her religion. Within 5 minutes of telling her my name, she was already asking deep personal invasive questions about my religion, telling me all about her religion, and continued to quote scriptures at me as I washed my hands. This didn't bother me. I'm a pretty tolerant person. What truly cross the line and insulted me in a way that I've never been insulted was when she took me onto the second floor balcony of the hospital, put her hands on my head, and proceeded to shout the following: "Dear lord, please forgive this abomination before me, and banish the demons who cause his stutter." She went on shouting like that and banishing the devil in me and taping my shoulders and head for two agonizing minutes while I stood there dumbfounded and in disbelief/shock. I couldn't believe it was happening to me. I had never been so insulted or mortified in my life than in that moment. It took every once of discipline that this old Soldier has to say "thank you for being my preceptor. I believe my time here is done. Have a good day." Despite her protests, I went straight to my car, drove away from my clinical rotation, and called my professor. I never found out what happened to her if anything actually happened to her. I can laugh about it now, but I was beyond pissed when it happened. Has anyone else had somebody try and exorcize thei stutter away?

Themes

Causes & VariabilityEmotional ExperienceIdentity & Disability

Subthemes

Trauma & PsychologicalShame & EmbarrassmentStigma & Bullying