Journey with Stuttering
Hello. My name is Malacia Guy, and I will be graduating with my master’s in speech-language pathology in May 2025 and beginning my CF year shortly after. I wanted to ask about your journey with stuttering. Specifically, how has stuttering affected your personal and professional relationships? How has stuttering affected your thoughts going into conversational exchanges and social situations? And what are some of the biggest challenges and learning experiences you have gained along the way?
Hi Malacia
Those are big questions that need long replies. 😉 I’ll try to make it as short as I can. If you want a longer version, read my papers for this and previous ISAD online conferences.
I was an open, social child, but when I started to stutter at the age of 9, my life changed. Stuttering was wrong, shameful, not allowed. At home, classmates, teachers, relationships, job interviews, they all told me I had no future. I even tried to give up on life. Fast forward: at the age of 27! I came in touch with the stuttering community and found my voice. And promised myself and the world to never let anyone take my, or any other PWS’ voice away. Again fast forward. I’ve had great jobs, was handpicked for most of them, simply because of my skills and my personality, and even became a teacher… to teachers! Revenge. 😉 I’ve been a keynote speaker in many corners of the world, spoke to children and teachers in school, to politicians incl the European Parliament, and hosted stutter camps for 30 years.
The most important things I’ve learned is that I’m good enough. I’m good at so many things. The only thing is that my speech takes longer time. So don’t try and “help” or tell me how to “cure” myself. From what?? I’m allowed to speak, in the way that makes me feel comfortable. Whether that’s with techniques, or simply to keep calm and stutter on. I stutter and that’s the way I speak. There are things I cannot do, not even because I stutter, but simply because it’s not my thing. And that’s fine. But my words matter just as much as anyone else’s, so I want your respect as a listener, just as much as I pay you respect to speak to you, eventhough it’s hard for me sometimes. We’re in this together. 🙂
Keep them talking
Anita