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From: Steven
Date: 04 Oct 2006
Time: 21:17:09 -0500
Remote Name: 68.192.123.163
I have stuttered mildy-to-moderately since I was about 8-9 years old. By the time I was 18-19 my stutter had faded to a strictly situational disorder. During this period of fluency I got a job in the commercial mortgage industry, working for a company that did 10-15 billion in annual sales. The job involved a high level of phone skills, as most of the job entailed making presentations over the phone etc. Soon after I married at 23, the environmental pressures around me grew and my stuttering followed suit. I now find myself in the unenviable position of having a job that demands a high level of oral proficiency while experiencing declining fluency. I have been able to hide about 95% of my stuttering until now. I firmly believe I would not have a job if my superiors knew the extent of my impediment. What good can possibly come of being open at work about my speech? People can talk about acceptance and understanding and all that. But if a certain job demands fluency, how can you fault a boss for doubting your ability to get the job done if your are lacking in one of the most important skills required for the job?