Guilt for ANY medical condition at all. Stuttering, especially, because that’s what I sensed removed my parents’ love. Before my stuttering began at the age of 4, I was their precious little treasure. I was displayed with pride but after I began stuttering I was relegated to only being a tarnished charm on my mother’s bracelet. I immediate realized that onlly perfection was and imperfection not tolerated. Somehow I managed to survive and thrive. Not even daily disabling migraines prevented my being with this amazing, wonderful man for 54 years, This professional man missed no opportunity to proudly present me socially and professionally within his sphere. My judgmental cruel, parents’ lack of empathy was compensated by my husband’s obvious pride in me. Yet, my stutter and any illness , causes guilt as if being un-whole, imperfect, is my fault. We may feel guilty for stuttering because we’ve learned that it was this imperfection that changed the high regard, love and regard of our parents.