I really appreciate this well articulated and well thought out reply. This is a lot to absorb. It's very interesting that your dad believes that he "grew out of his stutter" even though by your standards you say he hasn't. I can relate to your anxiety towards stuttering and being unsure what comes first. It's an interesting question if you would be happier stuttering out-loud without shame or fear, it's one I contemplated myself, Ive often felt that maybe the temporary embarrassment of speaking would be better than the constant anxiety, anger, and pain of avoidance. I just want to put the thought out there that what if your dad really DID grow out of stuttering? Im beginning to understand the point of view that maybe stuttering is not licked when you're fluent. Prehaps stuttering is only truly licked when you can speak your latent convictions regardless of the circumstances you are in. Maybe in that sense he has grown out of it.