I assume from your handle that you’re a doctor? Hello there fellow physician. I’ve been stuttering since birth as well. My name is a real mouthful too especially on the phone. Sometimes while talking to nurses and colleagues I’ve had to introduce myself as “Dr. D” knowing I wouldnt be able to get through the whole thing, really embarassing. I very much regret not doing anything about my stutter till now. Never even tried speech therapy. Got through med school just fine, even rotations, with the occasional endorsements and oral presentations being the exceptions, though everyone dreaded those whether you stammered or not, and I madr sure I memorized my parts to the letter and dodged the interrogations as much as possible which took the edge. No, not till now, where i’m at the crossroads of pursuing a field and starting residency that i’m really starting to see what a problem having a stutter can be. Where i’m from interns and residents are still slaves to the 36 hour pre-duty-from cycle. Somehow being constantly exhausted didnt help my stutter. I can only imagine what it would be like as a resident, having to navigate this mindfield that chews up even the brightest while having to struggle with my own mouth. Its terrifying, and rather soul crushing to think that my journey may end here. So far, primary care is great. Hopping from job to job is fun. I don’t have to make any presentations, call attendings, work nights or even step foot in a hospital if I dont want to. Plus the pay is good. Its just having those options potentially stolen from me because of a speech defect...its miserable. Its the biggest hurdle in my life right now, and im still not sure if im willing to risk specializing and taking it with me.