So this woman contacted me and asked me for my resume and portfolio samples etc. At what point do I have to disclose that I have a major speech disability. If only I could talk... Then I could look for other opportunities. I just feel liek I'm gonna get in there and they'll hear me talk and be liek.. oh no no no no. This would be completley soulcrushing for me.

I guess I could just buck up and try it and see what happens.

Hi Kate,

It's in the recruiters best interest to find you a job so I would be honest with her up front. Maybe let her know via email and then talk to her? It seems like you are very self conscious about this and it may not be as bad as you're thinking it is. I wish you all the best! You are a very special woman...I'll be rooting for you!!

Love,

Shelley

Go for the interview. You might just be surprised and it will go OK. Never say never. I wouldn't talk on the phone to her but would do it in person. You have a much better chance of impressing her that way. Peple aren't as mean as we think aometime. good luck.

Kate,

I can say that I really do understand your trepidation about the speech issue...but there has to come a point where you have to let your work and abilities speak for themselves. Allow your talent and abilities to outshine whatever physical limitations you have and believe in that.

I continue to apologize to people on the phone or in person about my speech issues and ask for tolerance when doing business...and often am told that it is no problem. I continue to do it for my own peace of mind though and I have found that it softens people up a bit. I feel less judged and people more impressed with me because of the hurdles I face. Now I could let that bug the shit out of me...but I figure it's not my issue so why let it concern me.

Go get'em girl!

Eric

Eric hasn't mentioned it here, but he is working with OCF to develop relationships for the foundation with large corporate entities. These contacts are heavily by email, but they are also developing personal relationships with important people with these big companies. Obviously these take great communication skills both written and verbal. Today Eric sealed a deal with GSK's Biotene brand to be a sponsor of all of our 2010 walk events. This involved using his pre-cancer skills, and working out an arrangement where they felt that a relationship with OCF was worthy of them being financial sponsors of these events. None of us have perfect speech after treatment, and when he and I discussed these outreach efforts I expected him to voice some concerns. He didn't. I think that may times we think more about our own issues than others do. No part of who "Eric after cancer", is, impacted his ability to create a very important relationship for the foundation.

My speech is not the best however I get by. At the moment it seems to be a little worse. I think it is due to not trying as hard as I used to. I think I may be getting a little lazy about it but also I don't seem to care so much at the moment.
Best of luck Kate and great job Eric.

As long as you have been on this site I have never known you to back away from anything so what's the difference here? If you place limits on yourself you can't fault others for doing the same so it's up to you to make sure no one doubts your determination.

Thanks for the advice. You know what? I really don't feel sorry for myself ever actually. I come here all the time and support people and give them advice and I was just having a tough moment and was looking for some moral support.

Speaking without a tongue at all is just really hard though and I have a tough time giving even a cabbie directions without struggling. So I do think my situation is a bit different. My speech isn't slurred its very altered and it is very hard to understand me sometimes plus I am in a kind of superficial industry too so that adds another wrinkle. Will try and get more confident to get out there and see what happenens. I'm just scared sometimes is all.

K

Kate - I understand why you are frustrated and scared. I know you'd like to be the person you were before all of this happened, and have the abilty to speak freely and distinctly. We can all tell you that it doesn't really matter, you're a wonderful person, etc - which is all true! But, it doesn't change your struggles with this. I think the advice that Eric gave was good - be upfront with people, let them know that you are still the same person as before your surgery but have a more difficult time with speech because of it. I did this the first time I had to give a public presentation, and was very upfront and open, and I think it made a big difference. I realize my issues are no where near yours... but you are such a strong young woman, with so much to give - I think most people will see that light shining through....