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From: Louis Roden
Date: 10/18/00
Time: 1:54:41 PM
Remote Name: 209.49.170.12
Hello Tom!
Luckily, my very first job was as a life guard (lucky that I got to be in the sun rather than stocking shelves!) when I was 16. Other than my whistle, I didnt need to say much.
After college, I worked in an environemnt that I was very comfortable in, being the manager of a formalwear store (tux rentals!) in Cleveland, Ohio. It was a very small environment, and the entire staff was aware of my speech. Nevertheless, there were certainly moments of discomfort. I recall a bride who, in one of my more troubled moments, stated that I was "more nervous than she was!"
As with most people with fluent speech, she thought that my stutter was caused by being nervous about some thing or another - nevertheless, by then, I was quite use to most comments. Especially, at that point in my life, comments seemed not to be colored with the hue of cruelty that comments often were as a teen or child.
Mind you, my friend, it will not be easy.. of this, I am sure you already know. Just remeber the great phrase often used by Les Brown and other speakers - "What dosent kill me, makes me stronger." Perseverance will serve you well!
Best of luck!