I’m Chak, one of your SU Reps. And I am a stammerer. This means I sometimes get stuck when I’m speaking. Stammering is a feature of my speech pattern. It has nothing to do with being nervous (contrary to popular beliefs). On International Stammering Awareness Day, I want to share my experience living with a stammer and what you should do when someone stammers. As for fellow stammerers, I want to let you know that there is nothing wrong with having a stammer, and this is simply the way we talk.

To be honest with you, I still feel a sense of shame deep down every time my voice gets stuck. A lot of people think stammering is funny — not helped by how we are portrayed in popular culture, in which stammering is often used for comic purposes. Most are jokes or banters, but they still make me feel as if my dysfluency is something to be laughed at. 

In all fairness, most people have been nice and try to be helpful. People often finish my sentences when I stammer. They make the wrong guess sometimes — I know they are well-intentioned, but it is still a bit frustrating. What should you do when someone stammers? Just maintain natural eye contact. This is precisely what we need. If you feel they are embarrassed or nervous, you could also give them some reassurances that you are listening, like ‘take as long as you need’.

I’m still in the journey of self-acceptance. I still call it a ‘bad day’ on days I stammer more - I shouldn’t reinforce the notion that stammering is wrong. If you also stammer, please know that we’re in this together 🧡

To find out more about stammering, you could visit STAMMA (The British Stammering Association)