Testimonials-P.3
"Growing up, I noticed I was different from everybody else. My speech was slower and I would often stutter when I grew nervous. It turns out that I have a stuttering disability.
It’s difficult knowing you’re different, but I felt the need to fit in [to] society somehow.
This desire led me to research possible cures for stuttering.
I learned that there were several methods being used to treat stuttering. Amongst them were electronic devices, speech therapy, self-help groups, and drug therapy. I admit to being heavily dependent upon drug therapy, because I ultimately wanted a quick fix solution.
I learned that drugs used to treat depression, anxiety, and epilepsy were often used.
But these drugs were ultimately ineffective in treating stuttering.
Going through school was truly difficult being that I have a speech impediment. Both my
peers and my school thought that I had a mental disability. High school and college were the
most difficult. It was these years that I let my disability get the best of me.
On one occasion, I was stopped by a police officer for having a busted [car] light. As he
approached and began talking to me, he quickly noticed my speech impediment. He grew
threatened, withdrew his gun, thinking I was mentally unstable and a possible threat. I quickly
explained my speech impediment to calm the situation.
It may seem insignificant to others; but when you have your speech taken away, it can severely damage a persons’ everyday life.
Because of my speech impediment, I didn’t have a normal high school and college experience. I often kept to myself, being afraid to expose my disability, which made it difficult to make friends. This not only affected my self-esteem, but my grades as well. I didn’t have any
motivation or drive at all. I was often told by peers that I wasn’t smart enough and I wouldn’t
succeed after high school.
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