commentr/StutterJanuary 13, 2018

Content

In my experience, coworkers, supervisors, interviewers, etc. have viewed stuttering not as the concrete neurological disorder that is actually is, but rather as a mental obstacle that *you* need to overcome through your own magically attained willpower. And if you can't... well, you're just not very motivated, now are you? Tsk tsk. It's just representative of how misunderstood that stuttering is by non-stutters (the general public). I have never experienced any accommodation. For example, at my previous job I have received personal advice before big meetings with clients wherein a coworker will say something like "I understand that you have a speech impediment, and we need to minimize the impact that your speech impediment has on the impression that we give to our client" or something of that nature. So for example: you still have to give presentations in front of clients who are ready to judge you at an instant; you still have to cold-call people; you still have to be sociable and likable and introduce yourself at dinner parties with clients to get contract work. In others words -- hell for a stutterer. The attitude I've experienced is "deal with it," as in, deal with the embarrassment, deal with the frustration; we're not going to accommodate you just because you're "nervous" (again, showing a misunderstanding of stuttering). It's honestly very frustrating. It's like telling an epileptic to "stop being crazy."

Themes

Identity & DisabilitySchool & WorkSocial & RelationshipsEmotional Experience

Subthemes

Stigma & BullyingEmployment & CareerPower Dynamics & IntimidationAnxiety & Social Judgment