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From: Karen Lewis
Date: 10/13/00
Time: 3:53:28 PM
Remote Name: 216.68.47.87
Hello Tom, Since I don't know at what level you are concerned about, I'll just start with my earliest "jobs." I have always loved children and have little stuttering talking with them, and by age 11 was the neighborhood baby-sitter. While nearly everyone had advice for me (think about what you are going to say before you say it, stop and start over, speak with pebbles in your mouth, sing what you want to say, stop this "habit" now before you are too old to break it.........the only one which was painful [well-intended] was, "don't do that around my little boy. He might pick it up from you." It could go without saying, I still stuttered in his hearing, was still his only baby-sitter, and as a man now, he does not stutter.
The next job was in high school. I began work in an allergy research lab with 2 friends, working for their father. Very intellectual, he simply said supportive things, asked me why I didn't try "hypnosis."
My first "real" job - charge R.N. on a heart/heart-surgery unit of a very large teaching hospital, fresh out of nursing school, 30 patients for one R.N., 4 nursing assistants.
I was treated well and respected. Of course, there were comments we are all familiar with, mimicking, "get on with what you're saying," etc. I must say I worked very hard, probably harder than usual. I HAD to prove in spite of my stuttering, I was a competent and efficient nurse. After all, lives were/are in my hands.
I can honestly say, although there were times someone referred to my stuttering, it was almost without exception, well-intended. I HAD to communicate with patients, families, other co-workers, supervisor who intimidated everyone, doctors, other departments. People are patient and may do things like complete my sentences, but at that point, I felt I was teated as any other health professional. And, all the time, I was working hard at being "super-proficient" hoping that would overcome misconceptions others might have re. my competency compared to my speech.
This may sound simple, but no one knew the struggle, humiliation, etc., inside me. However, I proved my competency, and my stuttering has rarely been made a negative issue of. When it has, it was actually "professional politics and competition" - not worth mentioning here.
You may have noted in my paper, I terribly feared that others would think me lacking in intelligence for his job. This was a fear then, and can still remain one, yet, no employer has ever judged me on that.
I was not able to tell people up front I had a stuttering problem, not able to explain, inform, joke back, and verbally tell them that this would not interfere with my work. But, I set out to prove it.
I hope this answers what you desire to know. If not, please post again, and I can be more specific.
One very important thought, my experience has been that employers were able to look over my stuttering and see someone dedicated to doing the job well. Yes, there are jokes, comments, but generally not intended to hurt.
One thing which is very, very important for me, even today (please see my post under "hiring a person who stutters") is to have a very good resume. This "shows" the employer before the interview your abilities, accomlishments, prior history - a myriad of information already describing you properly before you arrive for interview. I still depend heavily on this.
I don't want to simplify this. The fear my stuttering and secondaries continue to make me fearful I'll decrease my perceived ability still exist. But, I do not feel this happens in reality.
Sincerely, Karen Lewis