Martial Arts With a Stutter

     I started martial Arts when I was about 8; mainly because I got bored with cheer. Being someone who stutters while in a serious sport, especially competing, can be rough. At this specific competition, I was a blue belt and had to introduce myself to the judges as normal. The introduction would go something like this,"Good afternoon judges, my name is Kya Elston and I will being do (Name of form) today, thank you." Let me tell you, at this moment in time I was so nervous, I stuttered on every single word; what would have taken 1 minute took me nearly 4. 
    Once I finished performing my form, I got a lower score than the other competitors. I was infuriated not because I was beat, but because I know that my stutter undermined my handwork and technique. My speech disability was seen as me not being confident in myself. This did not stop me though, I told my coach and my parents and I had to work harder than the average person to get the acknowledgement that I deserved. This included me practicing the introduction multiple times. Not only did I have to practice more but I also had to become my own advocate.