New Here... Sharing my Thoughts.

[dyen]

Hi everyone,

I believe I am one of the outnumbered females on this board hehe. I have been lurking for awhile, mostly when I really have those bad days of speaking as we all do. I turn to this board for stories and to gain inspiration that I can overcome and control my stuttering. I've stuttered since I was kid and my parents have said they have stuttered too when they were younger. I am 22 now and I remember when I was in elementary school I was so scared at having to read out loud in fifth grade or give presentations. It's really been a long road.

I am going into my last few months of my undergraduate years. I just got accepted into one of the top pharmacy programs in the nation. Believe me, the interview for that was no fun. I didn't stutter too much but it was still a nerve wrecking experience. As of late (maybe the past year or so), its been hard answering my phone and the phone at work. I can't even pick up the phone and say "hello" and its frustrating. I am scared to pick up the phone because I worry that I will stutter and hit a mental block and consequently I do.

I'm a little worried for what the future holds. For all the work I put into school, I don't want to be held back by a few simple words. I don't want to graduate, become a pharmacist and let my stuttering hinder me from being able to do my job. I am still trying to conquer this one day at a time...

Sorry for the long post! I'm really glad I found this forum because I now know that I am not alone. =)

[bignick]

Welcome to the forum,

You certainly arent alone in what you are going through and what you are thinking. I tend to stutter if I worry about it beforehand.
I wouldnt worry about what the future holds as there are a lot of people on the forum who have successful careers and they didnt let their stutter stand in their way.

A lot of people who stutter have phobias of using the phone so its common but you sound like you still use it which is good.

We look forward to your contributions on the forum.

Nick

[Jamester]

Welcome fellow female!

Glad you are here and we can all relate. I so feel your fear of the future and you will have some hurdles to climb but remember to be wiling to take risks. It may feel like shit but won't kill you!

Jamie

[3FingerBrown]

Glad you found us Dyen!
Phones can be a major pain!!!!
The more we fear the phone, the more we convince ourselves we need to fear the phone and then we need to fear it more.
What are you telling yourself before making a phone call and what could you be telling yourself? Phones stink!

Its good to hear that you haven't allowed your stutter to prevent you from choosing a path and I wish you continued success. Gradutaion can be a very stressful time for everybody, especially people who stutter.

Isn't it nice to know that you aren't alone and that other people can understand what you are going through?
Welcome aboard, Ari

[Standingtall]

Well hello there. Thanks for the such positive comments on this forum, I think it is one great place to meet some nice people. The future is coming, so make the best out of it.

[Marrow]

Hey dyen, welcome to the forum, :D

I can understand a lot of what you are saying. I'm graduating in a couple of months like you, and can understand your nervousness about the future.

Glad to hear you've got a place at a top pharmacy, thats cool.

Will be good to hear your views and experiences.

Laters,

Nick.

[Hans]

If I could relive my twenties with my stutter, I would do so with as much of a sense of humor as I could muster.
Admitting to all and sundry that I stuttered would have removed so much angxiety; laughing at myself would have been even better. But I was shy, angry and a prig instead. I wish I could hand out experience without the pain.

[Lawyer]

Dyen,

Do you have a problem with the word "hello" when picking up the phone? I do, so I answer the phone by saying, "yes, hello, this is Lawyer." A good running start and a nice finish after the shitty word.

[dyen]

yeah i do have trouble saying 'hello.' i use to be fine with the word until i used it as a substitute word to give me a running start for other words that i have had trouble with. unfortunately, 'hello' has lost its effect and is now one of those words i fear which makes the matter worse.

thanks for the tip though lawyer, i'll keep it in mind!

and also thanks to everyone for all the positive feedback, it really makes my day. :)