Oh hey

Today I gave a group presentation. Did I mention it was 45 minutes long on the assessment and rehabilitation of the multiply handicapped? Yeah, it was that great. To make my presentation even more exciting, I HAVE A STUTTER! Gee whiz. Can't a girl catch a break?

Luckily, I was blessed with an extraordinary partner who worked with me and was also very patient. And to calm my nerves, I announced to the entire class, including the professor, that I had a stutter (hence why I've chosen to study communication disorders).

Before the presentation I was sitting outside the classroom, pleading with my Heavenly Father to take my stutter away...just this once. I begged and prayed through my tears for my Heavenly Father's help in getting through the presentation, but He didn't take my stutter away. Not for a second.

I don't know why I was born with a stutter, I don't know if I ever will, but I am grateful for the challenges that have come into my life because of it. Each time I give a presentation, each time I pray aloud, each time I read a quote or a scripture, and each time I talk to someone new on the phone strengthens my ability not only to speak clearly and overcome a fear, but it also strengthens my testimony.

I am grateful for the opportunities I will have to work with others with similar disorders; I'm grateful that I can be both sympathetic and empathetic towards them. I hope that through my personal experience, other people will be able to face their fears and overcome the obstacles that partner speech impediments. If I can see myself as a success in the speech impediment world, perhaps I can help one other person, just one, to see himself as a success too.

If that's all I accomplish in this life, it will be well-worth all of the embarrassment, fear, and pain I've experienced.