I,m Not Ashamed Of My Stammer

Rachel Everard spent her childhood trying to hide her stutter. Now she’s learnt to embrace it...

- Bess Browning

As children, we often have a habit or an ailment that embarrasses us. But my infant shame followed me throughout my teen years – and into adulthood.

Ever since I learnt to talk, I’ve had a stammer. And it manifests in very different ways. The first memory I have of struggling with my words was saying my name out loud on the first day of primary school. I’d struggle with words starting with R, B, G, D and K in particular and, in the years that followed,school became a nightmare. 

When teachers asked a question, even if I was certain I knew the answer, I was too scared to open my mouth. Reading out loud was terrifying. I’d stand at my desk shaking until finally the teacher would take over.