I know better than anyone how difficult it can be to stutter. You feel like you’re walking on eggshells all the time…the possibility of stumbling looming over your head. Having a stutter is very scary because stumbling over your words is generally unexpected. Growing up with a stutter is hard for a young child. It is important to remember everyone has their own struggles. Big or small, noticeable, or unnoticeable; everyone lives their lives with some hidden challenge. Though, at the same time, it can be hard for stutterers to realize this fact when it seems as though their struggles are so apparent. And they are apparent…out there for the world to see.
One of the most difficult aspects of stuttering is mustering up the courage to speak up. Whether it be talking to friends or public speaking, it is difficult to feel comfortable speaking in front of others. No matter how much you practice or employ the strategies you have learned, you never know when your words might fail you. These situations are stressful and discouraging. Your mind begins to race wondering what others around you are thinking and how you can make the entire interaction go away. This is one of the worst feelings a stutterer experiences. Not being able to get your words out coupled with the uncomfortable facial expressions from others creates a perfect storm for stress.
Moments like these fuel contempt and unhappiness with your plight. I know I have gone through these moments wishing my stutter would just disappear. In these situations, it is easy to forget the importance of your stutter. After all, it makes you who you are and should never be concealed or hidden from anyone….ever. Your stutter is an integral part of your identity. It has shaped you into who you are and will continue to do so for many years to come. Never give up on yourself or your stutter. It is your superpower!
