“Just say one word.”
Trust me, I want to. I have so many words filling my head, screaming to be let out, but they won’t leave my mouth. They are locked in, and letting them free does not seem to be an option. Finding the key seems to be the hardest part. Once I find it, the door will typically stay open and I become free to say what I want. The problem is that there is not just one key. I have to unlock the gate with each new situation.
Everyone just thought I was extremely shy, that I was simply going through a phase I would outgrow, and that I would outgrow it. No one knew the struggle going on inside me. It wasn't until fifth grade that someone realized there was more to it. It was by chance I got to have my third grade teacher, Mrs. Cohen, …show more content…
Cohen described my struggle to my parents as being not only a challenge, but as though speaking brought me pain. This idea made my parents rethink their perception that it was just a stage in my life and they began to research. That was when they came across the misguiding name of my condition, Selective Mutism; which is not selective at all.
Knowing the name of my condition was not the “master key” that would solve all of my problems. Although, my fear and anxiety did not subside, at least I knew there were others who had faced my condition and overcame it. This gave me hope I would not be this way for the rest of my life.
When my school announced the annual talent show I made the courageous decision to participate. All of my friends had decided to perform, so I wanted to as well. As I sat backstage, the wings in my stomach beat more and more. I imagined walking out on the stage and my head began to spin. The thought of backing down was slowly creeping into my mind, but I was determined. Minutes passed that felt like hours until my name was finally called. While approaching the stage, my legs turned to Jello, but I kept walking until I was standing center stage. My heart was racing, but I took the microphone and began to sing, reminding myself that I would not let anything stand in my way. I finished the performance and held a new key to
Trust me, I want to. I have so many words filling my head, screaming to be let out, but they won’t leave my mouth. They are locked in, and letting them free does not seem to be an option. Finding the key seems to be the hardest part. Once I find it, the door will typically stay open and I become free to say what I want. The problem is that there is not just one key. I have to unlock the gate with each new situation.
Everyone just thought I was extremely shy, that I was simply going through a phase I would outgrow, and that I would outgrow it. No one knew the struggle going on inside me. It wasn't until fifth grade that someone realized there was more to it. It was by chance I got to have my third grade teacher, Mrs. Cohen, …show more content…
Cohen described my struggle to my parents as being not only a challenge, but as though speaking brought me pain. This idea made my parents rethink their perception that it was just a stage in my life and they began to research. That was when they came across the misguiding name of my condition, Selective Mutism; which is not selective at all.
Knowing the name of my condition was not the “master key” that would solve all of my problems. Although, my fear and anxiety did not subside, at least I knew there were others who had faced my condition and overcame it. This gave me hope I would not be this way for the rest of my life.
When my school announced the annual talent show I made the courageous decision to participate. All of my friends had decided to perform, so I wanted to as well. As I sat backstage, the wings in my stomach beat more and more. I imagined walking out on the stage and my head began to spin. The thought of backing down was slowly creeping into my mind, but I was determined. Minutes passed that felt like hours until my name was finally called. While approaching the stage, my legs turned to Jello, but I kept walking until I was standing center stage. My heart was racing, but I took the microphone and began to sing, reminding myself that I would not let anything stand in my way. I finished the performance and held a new key to