Reading this made me feel very happy with myself. Just like yourself, I am 18, and have stammered since a young age. Small groups or friends is usually no problem, but required public speaking, especially when introducing myself, gives me butterflys -- big time! I fear that many people will misjudge me based off of my stammer and make fun of me or avoid me because of it. I'll be starting college next week which means socially, I'll have to start meeting lots of people. I know my potential, I don't have to prove anything to anyone. But, I just want to be as eloquent as possible when speaking. I imagine myself impressing people when I speak, and have done so before. I usually experience elongated blocks, pauses and repetition of syllables in words. I, or anyone who stammers, shouldn't be afraid or shameful of the way they speak. Stammering can be overcome. One thing that I like to do is take a deep breath, nothing too exasperated, but a 3-4 second inhalation to clear my mind and my nervousness before I speak (this is also a good tool to get an audiences' attention). Since I always speak my mind, I tend to talk fast which actually worsens the stammer. A calm pace is all you need. No one is in a rush. I'm really glad that I read something that I could actually relate to. Thanks for posting this! I hope you and everyone the best of luck! You can do it! Show no mercy!