Many people who stutter develop fears of talking over time. This happened to me. Imagine your worst fear and having the world hear it and see the tremors in your lips. Imagine an olympic skater going on the ice and seeing unusual movements in their legs or face. They might feel the fear inside but do not want the world seeing it. Imagine a pole jumper hesitating to jump over that pole with the world watching.
This is what people who stutter often experience. This leads to shame and self doubt.
How can we change this?
Do you fear saying your name? I did. I called information (free) 50 times per week to ask for myself. I did this with a speech tool called an easy onset.
Do you fear ordering food? Start with easy. Starbucks-order a coffee or cookie.
Do you fear talking about stuttering? Read about stuttering on the stuttering foundation and National Stuttering Association. They have newsletters. You are not alone.
Do you fear not getting a job? First you will. I did. Advocate for yourself. You can say, "I stutter. I can do this job. Bear with me."
Do you fear getting speech therapy? Do not. It changed my life little by little.
Do you fear answering the phone? Do it anyway. Answer all the time. You are experiencing negative self talk and it takes time to change.
Talk to yourself-I can do it, I am not responsible for stuttering.
Again seek help. Keep looking for the right person who knows about stuttering can empower you.
If you would like more information on stuttering please visit www.allislandspeech.com
Comments