I have stuttered since I was a little kid. As long as I can remember, I have struggled to carry on basic conversations in public, at work and even (at times) at home. Stuttering is somewhat unpredictable. This week I had a client ask me if I had a hard time with only "t", "s" and "f"s. Those are certainly some of the more difficulty consonant sounds, but others are hard as well. For example, my legal practice is outsourcing and technology transactions. I often have a hard time with the word "outsourcing." Sometimes I even have a hard time saying my own name. Names that start with a "t" - like "Triniti" - are particularly difficult. Annoying.
When I was a little kid it was much worse than it is today. However, given the nature of my job (corporate attorney), I talk all the time and my ability to communicate is key to my effectiveness and career development. Therefore, the importance of effective verbal communication is more important at this stage of my life than ever before.
Last year I signed up to participate in a clinical research study to evaluate the safety and treatment effects of a drug called pagoclone on stuttering. In March I was selected to participate in the study. I have been participating for a little over a month. I take several pills a day. Because the study is a double-blind randomized study, I don't know if I am getting the actual drug or just a placebo. Because my stuttering is not really bad and it changes based on various factors, it is difficult to evaluate if the drug (assuming I am taking it) is effective.
I will let you know later in the study.
