Has your stuttering gotten worse or better since you were younger? How?
My stuttering has gotten better as I got older. It took many years of practice overcoming speech blocks, and psychological blocks as well. During college and dental school, I would have sleepless nights sweating, preparing not only for the work itself but also mentally preparing to talk and strategize. Now I frequently give lectures, talk in meetings, and most people can’t tell I stutter. I’ve learned over the years building stamina and confidence are important.
How did it affect you growing up?
Growing up, I always wondered why I wasn’t as fluent as the rest of the kids. There was a strong feeling of desire to be normal. That led me to negative feelings like being envious. I would admire the people around me that had impeccable articulation, which led to an inner feeling of being envious. Often during arguments and heated debates my stuttering would get worse. People would hang up the phone when they don’t realize I’m still on the line trying to fight through a stammering block. Another common reaction was a giggle when they thought I forgot what my name was. Common routines we take for granted were challenging. In those moments I felt inferior and lonely. My self-esteem has never been any lower.
How does stuttering affect you in your career?
Being a dentist requires effective communication to inform patients of their oral health status and needs. As a stutterer, this can be challenging and difficult. However, I became more comfortable with my speech impediment with patients. Slowly it became who I am. Surprisingly it became a way to connect with my patients to share my side of the story. Being open and acknowledging my speech impediments helped me build trust and genuineness.
How is your stuttering today? What do you do to control or manage it, if anything?
I slowly adapted to avoid certain words and find a replacement word quicker. I use hand motions to express my meanings which helps with articulation. Another technique my therapist taught me was to connect multiple words in one phrase, similar to singing a song. Singing comes from the diaphragm with constant flow of air. Funny how we would rather sing a song than talk in public!
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People say repetition is success. For me my hardest word to articulate is my name David! Imagine the number of times we’ve had to introduce ourselves. If I practice articulating my name for one day nothing may change. Practicing for two days, nothing will change either. After three, four, or five days I will still stutter. However, I have my entire life to improve, and there’s no timeline!
What are the biggest challenges stuttering has presented to you?
Fear, anxiety and emotional defeat. Now looking back, my biggest challenge wasn’t my stutter but the anticipation of the unknown and overcoming that emotion of embarrassment and anxiety.
What is your greatest accomplishment with regard to stuttering?
Not only being heard but people wanting to hear me speak despite my stuttering. Now being a dental surgeon, it’s much easier to voice my opinion but it wasn’t that way before.
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