For the unLinkedIn. He posted it at about 4.45pm today:
I have a stammer.
Most of the time, it’s something I manage well. But when situations are stressful, emotionally charged, or deeply difficult, I have to work much harder to stay focused and be clear in what I’m saying.
A stammer isn’t about not knowing what you want to say. It’s about your brain and body working overtime at the exact moment you’re trying to communicate carefully, accurately and with intent.
It is also a hidden disability. Because it isn’t always visible, people sometimes fill the gaps themselves. Stories get created. Narratives are formed about why adjustments or special measures are put in place — when the reality is far simpler.
Those measures aren’t about advantage. They aren’t about avoidance. They exist so I can focus, slow things down, and communicate clearly without my stammer taking over.
In difficult moments, I concentrate on breathing, pacing and clarity. Not because I lack confidence, but because I care deeply about being understood and about doing justice to what needs to be said.
This isn’t weakness. It’s self-management. It’s resilience. It’s recognising what I need in order to communicate effectively under pressure.
Many people live with hidden disabilities while carrying responsibility, leadership and emotional labour every day. Sometimes what looks like hesitation is intense focus. What looks like accommodation is simply equity.
Clarity takes effort.
Focus takes energy.
And sometimes, speaking is an act of courage.