A Letter to Those Who Stammer

Hello everyone,

I’m Vikas Masurkar, a software professional from India. What you’re about to read is not just a letter it’s a heartfelt message to people who stammer. This is from my own experience, my stammering correction journey, continuous learning and my neuroscience research work.

I know how it feels to want to speak to someone but you remain silent. Due to a lack of communication, people often misjudge your personality. I also understand the disappointment of losing opportunities, not because of a lack of skill or effort, but because verbal communication. Sometimes, you put in great effort to construct a sentence using words where you’re less likely to stammer, but it often ends up sounding unnatural or awkward (This happens to me quite often).

Or even simple day to day things, like

1. When it comes to explanations, just saying something easy or convenient – even if it’s wrong or untrue, instead of giving a full and clear answer.
2. Wanting to order something specific at a restaurant but instead ordering something which is easy to say.
3. Knowing the answer but not speaking up
4. Holding back ideas in meetings
5. Avoiding the elevator or changing lanes to avoid people and conversations
6. Faking a phone call and many more
7. Due to stammering, you keep your distance from others and remain by yourself.

For me also its same, The moment I first tried to say my name in school, struggling like “Vvvvvvikkkkkkkas..” I realized I was different. The struggle was constant, whether in school, college, career or workplace. Every roll call, oral exam, attempt at making friends, and social event became a source of stress. 

4 things I want to mention here :

1 : Yes, Your stammering is curable

I have developed a 3-Step Program based on neuroscience and neuroimaging research related to overall speech and hearing sciences. The first two steps are foundational – realigning speech and recovering from blockages and the third step focuses on subtle adjustments and cognitive psychology related areas.

This program is designed to reduce stammering to a level where it no longer holds you back – up to about 80% improvement in adults, and 90-95%, sometimes even full correction, in children due to their higher neuroplasticity. Progress is gradual: most people notice visible changes within 5-6 months. For adults, full improvement usually takes around 1.5-2 years, while for children it can be achieved in about 1 year.

This program, along with every resource and tool, is completely free. This is an open-access platform – no fees, no hidden costs, no subscriptions

If you’re hoping for 100% fluency or any quick solution, it’s important to understand that complete perfection isn’t realistic at all, not even for most fluent speakers. Stammering is a complex neurodevelopmental condition. While global research in neuroscience holds great promise for breakthroughs in the next 10 – 20 years, but as of today, there is no medically proven “Magic Pill” or instant cure.

You don’t need to be 100% fluent to succeed in life. Even among fluent speakers, only a small percentage, perhaps 5% have truly polished communication skills. Your goal shouldn’t be to chase perfection, but to grow to a point where your speech no longer holds you back.

2 : Living with Stammering

Definitely, education & career journey, building connections, relationships and other important life milestones can be little challenging when you stammer. That’s why I have prepared the Stammering Life Guide, offering strategies to help you navigate these areas confidently.

Below listed things happen to everyone stammerers and non-stammerers alike. But as people who stammer, There is little higher % occurrences and we often experience added anxiety and social awkwardness, which can make these moments feel much bigger in our minds.

Examples include:

1. Bullied or teased in school.
2. Insulted or misunderstood by people.
3. Struggling to make new friends or build relationships.
4. Struggling in Job interviews and Career.
5. Avoiding public speaking.
6. Feeling anxious before speaking in class, meetings or social gatherings.
7. Feeling isolated or alone in social settings.
8. Worrying about judgment or negative reactions in professional or personal life.

On a lighter note, I can honestly say that I’ve been through many of these experiences myself and even more. I was often the topic of joke and heavily bullied in school. I faced insults and humiliation regularly. At the workplace and in society, I struggled to earn respect. I had zero friends and no connections. Because of Asperger’s, my social interactions were often awkward. I struggled with poor body posture, difficulty communicating effectively, and overall challenges in social skills. Every day every step every word was problem.

During this research, I interacted with many people and realized that everyone experiences these at some point – whether they stammer or are completely fluent. Only the context and intensity differ from person to person.

Many individuals who stammer often feel frustrated with society or their circumstances, but the real problem lies within ourselves only. The only true way forward is to work on your stammering. Thoughts like “simply accept and embrace it,” “manage it,” or “hide it” may provide temporary comfort but won’t lead to lasting change. People tend to respect those who speak with confidence and maintain strong social connections.

The purpose of human life is about solving problems – everyone has their own. In your case, the challenge lies within you, not in some external force. And that is actually an advantage, because it’s something you can directly work on and overcome.

3 : Clarity, Honesty and Courage in Speech :

** Most Important : Don’t Lie **

Instead of giving a full explanation, people who stammer often try to avoid difficult moments by saying something manageable or even untrue. While this may seem easier in the short term, it can harm your credibility and position over time. Always stand up for yourself and don’t let stammering limit your opportunities. Avoid creating situations where others might misinterpret you.

Learn to take a stand for what’s right first than how to say it. Don’t accept things just because you struggle to speak – explain, ask questions. fluent speech is often equated with confidence and credibility. People who stammer may be unfairly perceived as nervous, unprepared even suspicious or problematic. So overcoming your stammering is very important here. Remember your voice matters. Fight for your rights, speak up for yourself and never settle for less than you deserve.

If your stammering is severe, it is advisable to disclose it when necessary (only in critical situation. Not recommended in career and workplace settings). Take a time and moment to collect your thoughts, and consider alternative ways to communicate, such as writing, rather than providing inaccurate information. Over time, avoiding this habit of “saying what’s easy” not only helps maintain your integrity but also supports your progress in solving your stammering.

For me, over the period of time, it was my bad habit and only recently have I overcome it along with my stammering problem. Explore more in Life Guide Section : Self Advocacy and Common Misunderstanding with Stammering People.

4 : A Note for Parents:

If your child stammers, please know this: lack of awareness, poor management, or even parental pressure and force can make the problem escalate, turning it into a lifelong struggle. Stammering has no connection to intelligence, results, growth or success – it is simply a speech challenge and it is curable or can be managed effectively.

As a parent, consult a qualified speech therapist, create a supportive environment, and teach your child to take a stand for themselves. Guide your child to shape their life around their strengths, interests and interpersonal abilities, rather than their stammer. Most importantly, treat them with the same love, respect, and expectations as any other child – because stammering is just a difference in speech, not in capability.

Explore more in the article “Parenthood and Stammering” – whether your child stammers or you are a parent who stammers yourself.

So to conclude this, No need to worry about your growth and success. Many successful individuals have lived with stammering. While it may create struggles, overcoming these challenges often builds resilience, empathy and determination – qualities that build your personality and character. You can find many such examples around you – not just celebrities or influencers, but ordinary everyday people who are also successful and happy.

Let me share one example from my experience :

I had one very close person who was also a severe stammerer. We studied at the same school and college and even worked at the same job.

1. From school till college, he was often bullied, had no friends or social connections, no respect. Professors frequently misjudged him due to his stammering. Yet, despite all odds, throughout he was 1^st ranker.
2. He was often rejected in interviews, but once he started working, he consistently became a top performer.
3. He had no connections, no networking, no small talk, yet he earned the respect of everyone purely through his work.
4. He received very little attention from girls and was often made the subject of jokes. But later, one of the most respected and admired girl in his first office approached him.
5. Later, he also succeeded in achieving most of his life milestones.

For me, this person is a true example that even if you stammer, your work, character and skills can speak louder than words. Don’t just accept and embrace your stammering – work on it, solve the problem, and lead a powerful, fulfilling life….

Never let your stammer hold you back from anything.

All the best! See you guys in 3 Step Solution and Stammering life Guide.