Stuttering is My Superpower
I live the incongruity of loving to share my opinion vs. a mild speech impediment.
The satisfaction of monthly book report presentations throughout elementary school commenced my interest in public speaking. For many, the presentations were quick-and-dirty. For me, such projects were hours thinking, writing, and crafting: the canvas, life-size Eskimo and me dressed as Jackie Robinson mark my book report standards and my initial diligence towards everyday life.
The presenting aspect was a different story: month after month, I found myself dispirited that classmates parroted my stutter during speeches. It was not until I embraced the mantra, “show what you know,” that I first came to recognize public expression (whatever the medium) as an opportunity.
However, the ridicule about my stutter left an unspoken frustration that, fortunately, found its place in writing: what I struggled saying, I replaced with ink. Now, what were hand-written books evolved into essays and powerpoints: all of which, I still hold a kindled passion for.
With age came prowess stuttering; nonetheless, I still harbored the same silent discontent. Aspiring to be more fluid, I joined the Speech and Debate team freshman year. Nowadays, I tirelessly find myself prepped and eager for a full day of debate most Saturday mornings. Initially, the new audience mimicked the sneers of elementary years; however, with extensive practice rounds (591 and counting) and tournaments, I’ve seen my efficacy as a speaker, and concomitantly success in debate, burgeon.
Today, although impediments are disorders, I regard mine as quite the contrary.