What are you going to school for again?

I am currently pursuing a career path to become a clinically competent speech-language pathologist (SLP), often referred to as SLP for short. SLPs collaborate closely with a diverse team of healthcare professionals, including physical and occupational therapists, doctors, and nurses. However, our scope extends beyond medical settings; we also make impactful contributions within educational institutions and even establish our own private practices. SLPs encompass a wide range of roles, including researchers and educators, requiring a unique blend of creativity and type A precision.

This field holds a special significance in my life, as it has been my unwavering aspiration from the very beginning. As an individual who stutters, I am especially aware of the value that supportive services bring. From grade school to present day, I have relied on these services to navigate and conquer the challenges inherent to stuttering. This personal experience fuels my fire for assisting others who encounter similar obstacles.

Those who only know me in adulthood may not be able to discern this impediment, because I can substitute words at the last moment if I sense that I might stutter on a particular word. This tactic has evolved over the years as a coping mechanism, given that stuttering can be an emotionally taxing experience. While the physical discomfort is minimal for me, the emotional complexities underlying my speech are profound. Rest assured, I am actively engaged with a really cool SLP who is guiding me towards embracing the authenticity of my stutter. With their guidance, I am learning to accept and even celebrate this aspect of my communication.