Name: 【TEDx】Beyond mute | Shaela Niles | TEDxSnoIsleLibraries
Uploaded: 2017-10-21T06:55:32.000Z
Duration: 10 min 49 s
Description: Thousands of YouTube videos with English-Chinese subtitles! Now you can learn to understand native speakers, expand your vocabulary, and improve your pronunciation...

I am the kind of speaker that speaks at a slow pace

I found something on Wikipedia that changed my life.

It is defined as an extreme anxiety disorder.

It validated something I have been struggling with for years.

Like me and others who didn't know about this disorder,

it also motivated me to spread awareness.

Selective mutism had a huge impact on my life.

I suffered with this condition from childhood to adolescence

in physical, occupational, and speech therapy,

I had my favorite toy and blanket across the room,

that I learned to walk at a very slow pace.

If I wanted something, I would grunt and point.

until I was about three or four years old.

By the time I was five, I was a chatterbox.

and wouldn't stop to listen to the answers.

It was like I was starving for social interaction,

My throat closed up, and my lips were sealed shut.

There was this silent awkwardness between us.

until she told me she would come back to me later

Only then did I feel like I could suddenly breathe.

I never understood why I couldn't talk and others could.

My parents and teacher didn't know the reason why either.

but there was the expectation that it didn't go so well.

They thought I was choosing not to speak or listen,

My anxiety put me behind in my education.

>From kindergarten, all the way to 12th grade,

I always thought, if it wasn't for the anxiety,

However, I had to go to special education

because it affected how I felt or see myself.

I began to believe that shyness was part of my personality,

The anxiety developed into other problems,

such as a health anxiety, and perfectionism.

I wouldn't raise my hand for fear of being wrong.

I wondered what I had been struggling with.

A year ago, I recovered from my darkest days.

I made a commitment to myself that I would not give up.

Selective mutism wasn't a curse but a gift.

It showed me the light and hope for the future.

Subtitles ListPlay Video

【TEDx】Beyond mute | Shaela Niles | TEDxSnoIsleLibraries

anxiety

assume

struggle

commitment