A key concept for people who stutter to understand is that their stuttering is not the problem; their struggle with fear and anxiety actually prevents them from fully engaging in their own lives.

Accepting your stutter is crucial to your well-being. The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone, many people have gone through what you’re going through now, and many people will go through what you’ve been through in the past. It’s also important to remember that your stutter does not define who you are as a person, so don’t let it hold you back from pursuing your dreams!

Here are just a few reasons why accepting your stutter is so important:

1- Opens up to a world of possibilities.

When you realize that stuttering is a normal part of life, you can accomplish whatever you choose. Do you wish to join a college club? Do you want to hang out with your coworkers after work? All you have to do is free your schedule. 

2 – Improves your understanding of people.

Stuttering can be a lonely world at times. Even when others try to help you by saying things like, ‘Hey relax, take a break,’ or ‘Just accept yourself as you are,’ it can be harmful. However, if you change your attitude and talk to them, you may discover that the problem was more in your head than in theirs. It will assist you in connecting with your people and developing long-term relationships.

3 – Reduces your anxiety.

If you’ve been receiving therapies and focusing on your speech every day, you’re under extra pressure to perform well all of the time. ‘If I don’t do that, people will know I stutter,’ you might think. It might be exhausting to constantly hide from others. When you let go, your anxiousness will subside, reducing the stutter.

4 – Reduces the need to be perfect

It follows on from the previous point. It is a myth that you must always be perfect and in harmony. Tiger Woods, Julia Roberts, Emily Blunt, Nicole Kidman, Ed Sheeran, and Shaquille O’Neal have all struggled from stuttering at some point in their lives. And, when you begin to connect, you will meet others who are similar to you.

This week we are sharing the story of Daniel, who offers an honest account of his journey to acceptance.

When I was in second grade I had to do a presentation on my favorite animal which is a Bald Eagle. When I got to the front of the class I thought what words were coming out was just me trying to read my first sentence over and over again. I have a really hard time pronouncing my E and R.

The one thing that today I would like to see  less of when it comes to stuttering is the snickering and the laughing that ranges from kids to adults 

Today, I know this is who I am and there is nothing I can do about it so I just keep on going. If it’s something very important I will give whoever I’m speaking to a heads up that I stutter.

The one message that I would like to give the younger me or every young individual struggling with their stutter is:

“Don’t ever get down on yourself. Be proud of who you are.”

One thing that I would tell people if they meet someone who stutters is that please don’t try and finish our sentences, we don’t need you to do that. All we need is a little patience and understanding.

As a first time father to my beautiful daughter I knew it was going to be a challenge for me to actually say my daughter’s name Emma because of the E. So when people ask me what her name is and it’s taking me a while to pronounce it they either laugh and say “what you don’t know your daughters name” or “must have been a long night if you forgot that.”

The simple take away from Daniel’s story is that you need to accept yourself once you do that things will fall in place as they should. Stressing yourself is not worth the future that you can have.

​​“The worst loneliness is to not be comfortable with yourself.” ― Mark Twain this quote completely taps into the importance of self-acceptance. Don’t do it for others, accept yourself for you.

Has this left you inspired to share your own story? We’d love to hear from you, share your story through the Share Your Story link, here.