Thanks for sharing your story, it is very inspiring. I've stuttered my whole life (I'm 26 now) and I still avoid phones like the plague. However, lately I've been pushing myself into more and more speaking situations and have been riding a "confidence high" if you will. I really felt your story because I knew those exactly feelings you get... the sinking feeling... its like reality collapses around you... really sucks. Anyway, stuttering has taught me so much, about compassion and the perks of being introverted - it's almost like a blessing in disguise in some ways. Well, keep fighting the good fight =D