What are the biggest challenges stuttering has presented to you?
If I’m being honest, stuttering initially sent me down a dark and destructive path. My stutter affected my confidence and self- worth growing up, and I felt like an outcast. I wasn’t popular in school, I kept to myself and didn’t play sports, and I struggled with relationships. I sat in the back of class and kept my head down. Anything to avoid embarrassment. As I grew up, I came to believe I was damaged goods. In college, I fell hard into the party scene to cope with depression and ended up starting a 14-year severe addiction to alcohol. Even though my social and professional situation improved when I became a Marine, inside I felt like the same timid, unsettled, and unworthy little boy who couldn’t speak clearly. It took an incredible amount of self-reflection, counseling, and reliance upon my Christian faith to beat my addiction and reconcile the brokenness inside me. I’m grateful to say that I have 9 years of sobriety now! I share my testimony in the hope that I can help and encourage others.
What is your greatest accomplishment with regard to stuttering?
My greatest accomplishment regarding stuttering is to have conquered my fear of public speaking. I have given keynote addresses, been featured on podcasts, and invited to speak at numerous forums and conferences. I’m comfortable speaking to large audiences on stage and I quite enjoy public speaking these days.
Based upon your experiences, what would you like to tell children who stutter? Don’t let your stutter define you. Stuttering doesn’t have to be something that forces you to the back of the room. You can push through the uncomfortable and become stronger as a result. Be confident in who you are and where your dreams can lead you. Stuttering is not WHO YOU ARE, it’s just something you do.
Based upon your experiences, what would you tell parents of children who stutter? Encourage your children to not withdraw into themselves. Show support without belittling or downplaying their stutter. Hear them out on the challenges. Many children who stutter do not feel heard or validated. Remind them always that they are loved and valued. They have something unique to bring to the world that no one else can bring.
What else should we know?
If people want to reach out, I’m on Facebook and Instagram: @jordanrnorthrup. My book, The War Inside: Finding Victory Over Alcohol, is available on Amazon.
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