I have a stammer, so what?

About the author: My name is Meryem El Idrissi. I am 18 years old and come from Morocco. I have stammered since a very young age . I’ll be in University, this year as the first year, because I just finished my Baccalaureat. I’m a member of the Moroccan Stuttering Association.

meryem

My name is Meryem, but most of my friends call me Mery. I’m an 18 year-old girl, a University student, and  the best thing is that I am a person who stammers (PWS). Maybe you may think that I’m odd, thinking  “having a stammer is a best thing to happen in someone’s life”.

Honestly, it is. For me, if I didn’t have a stammer, I think that I would not be where I am now, and that I would not have achieved what I have during all these years.

Like many other teens who have a stammer, I experienced lots of bad situations, including being laughed at, being in front of the “curious gaze“, and people making fun of me. My last years, starting from my primary school, were a real hell! Seriously, and without any exaggeration.

I even heard my teachers’ sarcastic words about my stammer. But as a primary school child, I didn’t know how to deal with that, so I just cried. Crying was my only relief or maybe the one and only weapon to fight the bullies.

Stammering is not easy to live with, but it is not impossible.

Yes, I think that you are asking yourselves Does she really accept her stammer completely?. The answer is No! I still haven’t accepted it completely yet, but only one aspect remains. Maybe you already heard it in my podcast with the great lady Pamela Mertz: that aspect is relationships. I  never had a boyfriend, and I’m still afraid of having one.

After having many  ups and downs like most of the people who stammer, I realized that the best solution to be happy with a stammer is accepting it. And that’s what I did.

Stammering can never be an obstacle for me anymore in my career. Here I can elaborate why I said that it’s the best thing that happens in my life. Because as an ordinary girl, I would never be the first in my class if I didn’t have a stammer.  And I would never do the best presentation in my class if I didn’t have a stammer. Stammering made me a harder working student, maybe to prove the bullies wrong and show  that I am just as intelligent as anyone, or maybe even more. So generally, I’m happy to be a PWS.

Finally, I can say that having a stammer has its good side, too.  So just be yourself and live with the difference.

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Comments

I have a stammer, so what? — 87 Comments

  1. Hello everybody, i hope you enjoy reading my story. When i wrote it, i was thinking about the other teenagers, as we all may experience the same situations. Feel free to ask me, or to know something you want to. Happy ISAD to you all. Greetings from me!

    • Thank You so Much, Christine. I’m ready to help any other Person who stammers, as we all may experience the same situations and feel the same feelings.

  3. Hi Mery, Great paper. Thanks so much for sharing your insights and having the courage to submit to the conference. I also loved that you referenced me in your paper – thank you so much! – Pam

    • Thank You very Much, Pam. Actually, my podcast with You was from the best things That happened in my life. It was a Great experience!

  4. Hello Mery, congratulations for your paper. Accepting and going forward, looking for progress is a good philosophy. You are very wise, despite your young age ! The future is yours.
    Laurent

  5. Hello Mery. Congratulations on your paper. It takes a lot of inner strength to say “I have a stammer, so what?”. I think that we can be entirely accepting of our stammer, but differentiate that from being resigned to the situations we are in. You are showing that we can Accept our stammering and yet carry on improving our lives int he ways in which we choose to.

    Thank you.
    Hanan

  6. Thank you very much for sharing your experience. I am a member of the Speak Clear Association of Cameroon West Africa and have been working with PWS since 2003. Have u ever been part of a peer support group in your country? What are some of the coping strategies you used when you were teased and bullied by peers.

    • Hello, no i have never been in such a group. And actually, as i were young ( and unfortunately not wise as now ) i cried whenever they were teasing me. But while knowing about the others experiences as i am a member in some great online facebook groups, i realised that stammering is not the end of the world, and that we can achieve so much things with it. To be honest, i still have problems with it because people here in Morocco know nothing about it, and they do really look at me like an Extraordinary person lol but i’m adapting to these situations. Thank you for your comment as well, and i hope i did answer your questions. 🙂

  7. Such an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your story. The motivation you proved to have should be shared with everyone. Have you been able to talk with other people who stutter in your community about the effects of stuttering has on teens and how to help overcome the bullying? Unfortunately, bullying is a common factor in children and teenagers and I do believe that you have a wonderful opportunity to combat this in your community! Just like Sunjoh Berinyuy asked in the previous post, I would be interested in hearing about your coping strategies with bullying. Thank you again for your story!

    • Hi Christine, thank you very much for your great comment. I actually did never talk about that with other people who stammer in my community, i think it’s just because we didn’t have the chance to. But it’s really a great idea, maybe i will do it now :D. And i said before, i had done nothing about the bullying. I was a patient person, and my revenge was and sill SUCCESS. For me, my only revenge to show them that i’m better than them is by success, so when they saw me being the first in class, they all were like dumbs, how can she does that? An i just smiled and laughed so much…

      • Wonderful! What a great way to prove yourself as a person, communicator, and scholar! Thank you again for allowing us to read your story!

  8. Thank you Mery for this beautiful presentation on your stuttering . Together we can advance the fight against stuttering in Africa

  9. Thank you so much for this paper. It’s excellent. Truly an inspiration. Thanks again!!

  11. What an inspiration you are, Mery, to fellow teens and, actually, to anyone who wants to be all he or she can be. That includes reminding us of the importance of being a good citizen of the planet who notices others and is willing to step forward and to extend a helping hand to fellow citizens.
    – Ellen-Marie

    • Thank You so Much, Christine. I’d like to help the other teens who do stammer, as we experience almost the same situations! 🙂

  12. Hello Mery. Congratulations on your paper. Your story is an inspiration and to be able to accept your stammering demonstrates great strength. You are an inspiration to others who stammer and I wish you luck with your continued efforts.

  13. Hi Mery,
    So happy to read your story. It seems that you are in a peaceful place in life. I was wondering what steps you took to lead you to self-acceptance? What tips would you give younger folks on how to cope with stuttering? Is there anything you wish you had while growing up that would have made a big difference for you in terms of coping skills (i.e. other than crying)?

    • Thank You so Much for reading my story. And about the tips… Actually, i didn’t use any techniques while speaking in order to be fluent or something This way. And to be honest, i think That the main reason That made me who i am now, is those bad situations and exactly… Those bad words from people, and even That weird look That people look at us with. All these things broke me in a time, but made me more stronger and more confident later. Personally, i’m a Person who cries so Much when he’s lost ( i cry even in praying while asking God That i’m lost and need his help! ) but after This crying, everything changes! Even my view to some points. This Is me, actually. Yes! Things broke me but i immediately come back to reality. And friends! I can’t deny That those words of encouragements make me so confident. I’m a member of the WWS group on Facebook. Tes! We are so far away from each other, but it’s an awesome support group. I met There lots of Great ladies, who takes place in what i have achieved till now!.

  14. Hi Mery,

    I was so encouraged reading your story. You’re are an inspiration to many! I admire your dedication to your studies as well. I am currently a student in graduate school for speech pathology. I was wondering what advice you would give to others who stutter? Do you have an outlet that you currently use if you are frustrated (besides crying)? Is there anything that you do to avoid stuttering (i.e. changing words)? Thanks again for sharing your story! Best of luck! -Rebecca

    • Thank You very Much,Rebecca. I’d like to advise the other stammeres: 1\We are different, so why not we don’t Just live the difference. It’s hard, but it’s really cool sometimes, esp when we get our goals despite of having a stammer. 2\ If You have a goal, You have to achieve it no matter how? Or Just because of your stammer. Stammering has to be our point of power if i May say. Not a bad obstacle in our lives. 3\ if You don’t accept yourself as who You are, nobody Will accept You the way You are… And when i block, i continue stammering on this word careless about the weird looks That the others do look at me with. And yes! I don’t cry in class anymore, i laugh or smile instead. And when i want to avoid stammering, which is not often, i try to speak slowly. I hope i did answer your questions. Best of Luck to You too..

  15. Hi Mery – sounds to me like you go far beyond “living” with the experience. You embrace it and let it inspire and motivate you and others. As the parent of a 19-year old who stutters, I think you’re a wonderful role model. Thank you for your paper!

  16. Hi Mary, I am a graduate student studying speech-language pathology and I really enjoyed reading your story. Did you have a a good support system growing up that helped you along the way and helped you find acceptance?

    • Hey Lauren, thank You for Reading my story. And good Luck! To be honest, for me, Morocco is from the countries That it’s so hard to live with a stammer in. Most people don’t know what stammering Is, so their reactions differ between laughing to staring ( awkwardly lol) to the Person who stammers. And personally, in all my levels if studying, i did experience the same situations of laughing at, and mocking of and so on.. I still experience That even now, and i’m in Uni lol.. My parents were always telling me That You don’t stammer, and it’s better for me to Forget about overthinking about it. But now, and when my mom saw me for the first time i guess, stammering so badly while demanding a ticket for the train,she Just said nothing. But all of those experiences did teach me how to be strong and how to Never give up! I hope i did answer your question. 🙂

  17. Hi Mery, I think you are a wonderful example of someone who has (almost) accepted their stammering! Could you elaborate more on how your parents reacted to your stammer when you were younger? Did your family talk about it openly?

    • Hey, thank You so Much for Reading my story. My parents were always telling me That i dont stammer, whenever i tell them about a bad situation That i had experienced due to stammering. And actually, i was so open about it in a time, but when i got suck of the same words as : You dont stammer, or, don’t worry about it, Just be confident and dont care about it… I stoped talking about it. And i used Facebook to express myself, esp in those support groups. They did and still help me so Much in gaining confidence by knowing the other experiences of others. And generally, i have no problem to talk about my stammer to an interested person in it. If not, i wouldn’t talk about it, as i feel like i’m posing myself on him. I hope i did answer your question 🙂

  18. Thank you for sharing your story, Mery! I am a graduate student, and I am studying to be a Speech Language Pathologist. It breaks my heart that teachers made fun of you for your stammer. If you could talk to those teachers today, what would you say to them? I know that I have a few things that I would like to say to them.

    • Thank You so Much. I’d like to thank them first for their bad words, because i can’t deny That they helped me to show people That i’m not a dumb. And to tell them That they hurt me by saying those words, but the main thing That i’d like to tell them is: See where i am now, with my stammer. And see what i had achieved even if i’m stammerer. And yes! I’m better than You, now. At least, i had achieved so Much things more than what You did achieve. I’m so proud of myself. Haha! That’s it. Thank You for asking This question, really. Those days were so hard for me, and by answering That question, i feel like i done it! Haha! Thank You 🙂

  20. Hi Mery,
    I love your outlook on life. Your stammer has made you a stronger and better person and thats a wonderful thing. I am not a person who stutters, but I truly believe going through hard things in life makes people stronger in the long run. Way to find a positive attitude from it. I hope others who are struggling can read your paper and possibly form a different view on it.

    Brittani

  21. Hi Mery

    Your story is very moving. I am a graduate student studying speech-language pathology and so far in my stuttering class I’ve learned those who embrace and accept their stutter have an easier time overcoming stuttering and gaining self-confidence. From your report I see that is true. Do you have a specific memory from a time someone bullied your stutter? Since you’ve accepted your stutter are dealing with bullies different for you now? Thanks for sharing!

    Jessica

    • Hey, thank You for Reading my story, and best of Luck. All of the bad situations i have experienced were laughing at, mocking of. But the hardest one which was from my teacher… One day, we were in a maths class, and the teacher asked everybody about the answer, and when my turn came… The teacher said: God! She Will stammer again.. Say! Say the answer… He said in a very arrogant tone, which made me lose my confidence. Hopefully, my answer was right. But even That, he couldn’t say good. I always felt he hates me. And maybe i’m right, dont know.. 🙂

  23. Hello Mery,

    Thank you for your post. I am training to be a Speech and Language Therapist, I found your story very inspiring, and I hope that one day I will be able to help someone like yourself to overcome and feel the way you do about your stammer.

    It’s heart breaking to hear that when you were younger the only way you felt able to deal with situations was to cry. But it’s lovely to hear that you have now managed to strive from your stammer and accept it as part of yourself, you wouldn’t be you without it! I hope you are able to continue in this way to go on and do even bigger and better things with your life!

    Thank you again for sharing your story, and good luck with university!

    Rebecca

  24. Your story was so encouraging to read – I have a friend who’s son is a PWS and is moving to Secondary school soon. I will definitely be telling them to read your story to help him to see what he can achieve.

    Thank you!
    Sharon

    • Oh it Will be Great! Thank You very Much. I hope he achieves everything he wants. And best of Luck for him 🙂

  25. Hello Mery,
    I am a graduate student in speech pathology and I greatly enjoyed reading your paper. I love that you embrace your stutter and have become so successful, not in spite of, but because of it! I was wondering if you have had any speech therapy? What your experience was with it? And how you feel about people receiving therapy for their stutter in general?
    Thanks!
    Madison

    • Thank You very Much for Reading my story, and best of Luck. Yes! I went to a speech therapist three years ago. It was a Great experience, i have to confess it. But honestly, i were young, and i got bored from Reading those texts That she gave me to Read. So, i stopped it. But now, i feel so sorry for myself, as i can’t go to any therapist, because of my so-full timetable. And i even travel to study, so i came late to home, and so exhausted… For people who receive therapy, i think they are Lucky, they do something helpful for their speech, and i hope it goes well with them, because i noticed from those support groups, That not everyone had had benefits from the therapy. 🙂

  26. Hello Mery,
    I enjoyed reading your story and just wanted to say I really appreciate your honesty. Especially being able to say you may not have completely accepted your stammer yet. It is nice to see someone that is still so positive and I wish you all the best for your future,
    Jamie

  27. Hi Mery,

    Thank you so much for sharing your story. You are sending a great message to other teenagers who stutter. Currently, I am in graduate school for speech language pathology. How have you maintained such a positive attitude? It is so inspiring that you are so positive even through all of your bad experiences. I would love to know how you have accomplished this, so I can share this with future clients. As a future speech therapist, I want to be able to help other people like you feel the way you feel regarding stuttering. Do you have any advice for how I can help people cope with their experiences?

  28. Hi Mery!

    Thank you for sharing your story, it was great to read about how you have come to embrace your stammering. I am currently in graduate school studying speech-language pathology. I was wondering if you have ever received any type of speech therapy to address your stammer? If so, is there any aspect of therapy you found most beneficial? Or something you really did not like? I am hoping to gain information to one day use with my own clients.

    Also, you mentioned that the one aspect you haven’t accepted your stammering in is relationships. Do you find that males respond differently to your stammering than females?

    Thanks,
    Chelsea

  29. Hi Mery,
    Thank you so much for sharing your story-what a great message about being yourself. I’m graduate student studying speech language pathology and I’m so impressed with your strength in character. I wanted to know if you have a role model or person who has inspired you through your journey of accepting your stammer?

    Thanks!
    Liz

    • Hey Liz, thank You so Much for your comment. For me, i was in a mess if i May say before i found those support groups on Facebook. After, Reading some of their shared-experiences, i felt so encouraging and so confident. So it helped me to be me, to stammer openly, and not to feel ashamed.. As i have nothing to be ashamed of. Plus, their support for sure. All of these things, and by time, i got to This level of accepting myself as who i am. 🙂

      • I’m so happy you have found such a wonderful support group-definitely a huge benefit of social media is connecting with people:) Thanks you so much for responding and sharing your personal experience to help others who may feel the same!

  30. Hey Mery,

    I am a graduate student studying speech-language pathology. I had a question about the teachers’ reactions to your stammer. Did it seem mainly because they didn’t understand what was happening? If I practice in a school setting, I am hoping to help teachers better understand stammering and how they can be of help to the students who stammer. Any advice on how I should help them understand what it is like?

    Thanks,

    Hannah

    • Hey Hannah, for me… I’d like teachers to be more understanding. For example, they have to try to be more open with the Students. So they can go and tell them about their fears and so on. And when a sws speaks, the teacher has to be attentive and doesnt let any other Student laughs or reacts in a Bad way. I even like if they go and talk with the Student who stammers if he has no problem with That. Just to make him feel comfortable. I hope i said somerhing helpful for You. 🙂

  31. Hi Mery,

    I am a graduate student in Speech-Language Pathology. I was wondering if you felt that accepting your stammer correlated with any change in your stammer. After you fully accepted your stammer, did you stammer any less or any more, or was it about the same?

    Thank you and best of luck with university!
    Shelby

    • Hey, thank You for Reading my story. For me, my stammering Is related to the situations more. I mean, it depends on the situation. But generally, i stammer less now, while speaking in public. I meant by less… Less than before. As i stammered so badly in front of a group of persons, in the past. But now, i stammered one or two times while introducing myself This year. I hope i did answer You. 🙂

  32. Mery,

    Thank you so much for sharing your story! You are truly an inspiration and I commend you on having the courage to be open and honest about being a PWS. It is unfortunate that someone as talented and inspirational as you had to endure bullying. This is such a prevalent problem in today’s world and I take it very seriously, especially as a graduate student in speech-language pathology. I am so happy and proud that you were able to prove every one who doubted you wrong by your amazing success! I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors and thank you again for sharing your story!

    ~Chelsea McKinnis

    • Aww! Thank You very Much for This amazing comment. So Much of encouraging words. Thank You once again. 🙂

  33. Hi Mery,

    Wow, you’re such an inspiration! It is so difficult in today’s day and age to accept yourself for exactly who you are. There are so many people (especially women) changing things they don’t like about themselves, and it is so easy for us to pick out and focus on the negative aspects of ourselves. I commend you. Not only for your bravery, but also looking at your stammer as a positive characteristic of yourself. You could have let those people who laughed at you hold you back, actually that would have probably been easier to do, but you persevered and let that push you harder. Positivity is contagious and your outlook on your stammer will inspire the lives of so many young women. Keep letting your light shine girl!! You’re a rockstar!!

  34. Hi Mery,

    Thank you for your openness and willingness to share something so personal. It was such an encouragement to read about the perspective you have on your stammer. Through what you have shared, I don’t see a person who is a victim but I see a strong individual who does not allow any trial or struggle to stand in her way. Your positive mindset and hard-working nature will get you far, and I hope that you will continue to persevere and be an inspiration to many people!

    Thank you again!

    -Janice Chow

  35. Hi Mery,

    As a future SLP is saddens me that you had negative experiences related to your stammer. Unfortunately those experiences arise solely due to the lack of education and respect! Once you began to accept your stammer did you find that the frequency of occurrence happened less? Was there a particular situation that made you look at stammering positively?

    Thanks for sharing your experience!
    Erin Maloney

  36. Mery,

    I enjoyed reading your heartfelt post. I was excited to read that you are happy with and proud of all that you have accomplished in and outside of school. I was particularly excited about this because, I do not feel as that is common in this day in age. After reading your post, I was wondering what occupation you are pursuing? Specifically are you pursuing a career in Speech-Language Pathology if so why and if not, why not?

    • Hey, i’m actually a Student in a uni which teach cinema and audiovisual. I didn’t chose Slp because i dont think That There are good universities which teach That well. And i need so Much to know in That Field. I Hope i did answer your question 🙂

  37. Mery.
    I enjoyed reading your inspiring post. I am a graduate student in Speech Language Pathology in North Carolina. I was just wondering how you felt your experience with your stammer changed once you began to accept it? Also, what advice to you have to a future professional working with people who stammer concerning how to promote acceptance of stuttering to clients?
    Thank you!
    Macy

  38. Mery,
    Thank you for sharing your experience. It sounds as if you are an outstanding student, due to all of your hard work! It is great that you have learned to turn an insecurity into motivation. This is something we can all strive for! I commented on a different post how saddening it is the sometimes teachers are among the group of “bullies.”
    I was also wondering what degree you are pursuing at the University? I am a current graduate student in the US pursuing a masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology. I am looking forward to a rewarding career!
    Thanks,
    Dana

    • Hey Dana, thank You for Reading my story. And best of Luck in your career. I’m actually in my first year in university. Everything is new, i found some difficulties, as i have no friends. But except That, everything is fine! I even told them all That the best thing That characterise me is my stammering. And like usual, some people were normal and accepted the fact as a normal thing. And others who did laugh. But i felt so confident while telling them That i have a stammer. 🙂

  39. Hi Mery! Thank you so much for sharing your story. That was very powerful to read and listen to. I am a graduate student in speech language pathology at a university in Minnesota. I am currently taking a course in fluency and stuttering, however, I do not have any firsthand experience with it. I am so happy to hear that you are confident and accepting of your disfluency. That is so great and such a positive attitude! I agree that once you accept the way life is, you can move forward to accomplish anything that you want. Your story is influential and inspiring. I loved your quote, “Stuttering is the best thing that has happened to me.” That is such a strong and motivational comment, which can apply to all areas of life. Although you are accepting of your stutter now, I know that in the past you had difficulties as a result of it. Were there specific activities that were the most difficult as a result of your stutter? Even though you are accepting of it now, do you still find that others react negatively? I think your positivity has the ability to cancel out the negativity of others and that if they see that you are comfortable with it, they will also grow comfortable with stuttering. I often find that people are uncomfortable with things that they are unfamiliar with. If we can continue to spread awareness and educate people on stuttering, I think that negative stigma can be reduced and maybe some day eliminated!

  40. Mery,

    I applaud you for taking a challenging characteristic that you possess and using it to acknowledge how it has made you the person you are today. Thank you for sharing your journey of how you came to accepting your stammer. I think that your story will help others make it through challenging times, whether they are people who stammer or not. Thank you for sharing your story and know that you are an inspiration to many.

    Morgan

  41. Hi Mery,

    Thank you for your insight and sharing your personal experiences. I am a first-year graduate student studying speech-language pathology and was wondering if being in University has changed how people react to your stuttering? I was sad to hear of such negative experiences you faced while in primary school but am happy to know that you can still have such a positive outlook on life. I wish you all the best, and keep up the hard work!

    -Julz

    • Thank You so Much. And i noticed That the reactions are almost the same. As There are people who laugh. And people who don’t. But now, i can’t say more as i still have no friends 🙂

  42. Mery,
    I appreciated that you opened up your post by saying that your stammer is the best thing to ever happen to you. Often, the people that I meet or hear about who stutter are often embarrassed and frustrated about their stutter, so your attitude towards it is refreshing and positive. I am sorry that you had to experience ridicule from others about your stammer – especially your teachers. You would think that, in this day and age, people (especially adults) would be more accepting and knowledgeable of people and their differences. I can only imagine how many children have unfortunately grown up with teachers who have been unaccepting of their differences and disabilities, and how it has adversely affected their daily experiences at school through the years. I think that my favorite line of your post was, “Stammering is not easy to live with, but it is not impossible”. This is great advice for others who stutter/stammer to know, as it ensures them that although life may through some curveballs, it is nothing that they will not be able to get through. Lastly, why are you afraid of having a boyfriend? I think that a boyfriend who truly likes you will be accepting of your stammer and may even embrace it. You are a strong, smart, independent woman who deserves to not be afraid of what others may think. If you can accept your stammer, why makes you think that a boyfriend won’t love you for it also? Thank you for sharing your post and your positive words about your stammer.
    – Victoria

  43. Hi Mery,
    Thank you for sharing your story! I always love hearing stories where someone chooses to turn his/her hardship into a positive! Are you considering pursuing a career in CSD? Also, at what age did you consider to adopt the viewpoint “having a stammer is a best thing to happen in someone’s life?” Was there a particular event that helped you find this positive outlook?
    Thank you!

    -Cady

  44. Hi Mery,
    What fantastic insight you have at such a young age! I found your strength, perseverance, and motivation (despite previous bad experiences) to be so encouraging! I especially liked the line from your paper “So just be yourself and live with the difference”. You are exactly right! EVERYONE is different. That wonderful uniqueness should be celebrated by being yourself and by being the best self you can be. Best of luck in life to you, Mery! And keep up that positive attitude! I do believe everyone could learn a thing or two from you.

  45. Hi Mery! Thank you so much for sharing your story. It was absolutely touching and I was able to relate to it from some of my other experiences. I’m glad that you were able to take your stammering and turn it into something positive that really helped you become the person you are today. You’re my inspiration. I hope I can do what you were able to do.

  46. Hi Mery!
    Thank you for your wonderful paper and truly positive attitude/outlook on life; it s very encouraging. I’m currently a graduate student in the field of speech and language pathology, and I was wondering if you could share with me what helped you learn to accept yourself and your stammer? As a future SLP, I want to help others achieve the same confidence and positive outlook with their own dysfluencies as you did. 🙂
    -Raquel

  47. Hello Meryem,

    It is so cool to hear about the positive outlook you have on stuttering. I love that you used it as a motivator instead of something to get you down. I know for many PWS when they attend speech-langauge therapy, the main target of therapy is to accept their stutter and be confident in themselves. You clearly learned this lesson early on.

    Self-acceptance and confidence in yourself is way more important that fluent speech!!!!!

  48. Hi Mery,

    I appreciate your honesty regarding how much you have accepted your stammer. It’s hard to accept what you can’t change and even harder when it has caused you grief in the past. I think that many others can appreciate your honesty about not completely accepting it and what you are still afraid of. I’m wondering how, and if, outside reactions have changed now that you are more confident and acceptant of yourself.

  49. Hi Mery,
    It was refreshing to read an uplifting story about how your stammer has changed you. I think it’s great that you are a part of a group on Facebook so that you can support each other. As a graduate student in Speech-language Pathology, I have seen video and read about the negative emotional effects that can happen to somebody because of how others react to their stammer. It’s so inspiring that you let the negativity inspire you, rather than letting it tear you down. I think other children/teens would appreciate your story and it could serve as a great example of how a stammer can positively affect your life if you let it. Thanks for sharing!

  50. Hi Mery,

    Thank you so much for sharing your story! I am a graduate student studying to be a speech-language pathologist and it is so encouraging to hear people speak positively about their stuttering! I am glad that you can see the good in a situation that can be so challenging at times. It is so important to accept who you are and not let other people define you. Also, I just want to encourage you to remember that the right guy will love you for who you are and will recognize that while stuttering is a part of who you are, it does not define you!

    Kind Regards,
    Alyssa Kubinski

    P.S. I took a ferry to Tangiers for a day when I was studying in southern Spain and I loved it!!