commentr/StutterOctober 20, 2022

Content

Look, you do you. I don’t really care if you’re okay with avoiding presentations at all costs. I don’t know how bad your stutter is and that would likely play a part in this. I will say though I don’t see how this is “embracing your disability”, it seems like you’re letting it dictate what you do and avoiding it’s effects wherever possible. Embracing a stutter to me sounds like inserting yourself in any situation you want where you might stutter and not letting it phase you if you stutter, and not getting embarrassed when it comes out. Which is what OP and anyone who wants to overcome the constraint of their fears should do. And again, the professional thing. Whether you’ve decided to avoid presentations or not and are okay with that doesn’t change that in many career paths public speaking skills are essential. If your desired career path doesn’t include public speaking (like maybe nursing), then fine. But if your preferred career path does (like academia or business) and you decide against it because you have a stutter and don’t want to get embarrassed, that’s letting yourself get consumed by fear, letting your stutter control you, and hindering self—growth. We shouldn’t present that to OP as an option. The fact that somebody is nervous about something is exactly why somebody should do that thing. I get panic attacks too from public speaking. I asked my professors to present in private because I was shaking in fear as well. I was terrified of getting called in class as well. I feel all of that, and I have a presentation to do tomorrow that I’m only doing so that I get better at this.

Themes

Anticipation & AvoidanceCoping & AdvocacyEmotional ExperienceSchool & Work

Subthemes

Avoidance & SubstitutionSelf-Advocacy & BoundariesAnxiety & Social JudgmentEmployment & Career