Content
Can't Say My Own Name. I am one of the few who stutters on vowels and h sounds with vowels after them. My birth name is Ylvie (ill-vee) which contains a very sharp vowel sound. Today an adult came up to me and said "I'm sorry, I forgot your name." Me: Ih-ih-ih-ih-ih-lvie. Adult: Sorry? (leans in closer). Me: Ih-ih-ih-ih-lvie. It-it-it's Y-ylvie. Adult: Why is that so hard for me to remember? And I think that's my problem. My name is so exotic that I would have to repeat it anyway. After she walked away, my friend leaned over and said "Hey, you're like bright red right now. Are you okay?" It's hard to get people to understand me. I love my name, it's really unique, but I can't say it. I asked my parents if I can legally change it to Demetria. With a name I can say I can introduce myself, make friends and be confident. I'm a leader, but I stay in the background because no one can comprehend what I'm saying. Asking my parents went badly and now I have to sit down with my dad and say my name over and over again until "I learn to say it". Never once have I had a conversation with him without hearing "slow down," "focus", or any other bullshit that people say to stutters. Should I keep pushing the name change?