What it’s like to be mispronounced

Meijah: 

My-juh

Me-juh

May-jah

Me-I-jah

Mi-hee-yah

Me-yah

Me-yuh

May-yuh

Meijie/Meijy

MeiPie

Meijah Piejah

Meij

Lieteau:

Lee-toe

Lee-tow

Lah-e-toe

Lih-tow

Lay-eat-tow

Lah-toe

Lee-ay-toe

Lee-ay-tow

Lee-et-toe

All of my life, I struggled with my identity; saw little value in it. I could not see my name on a mug like others. I could not make small talk with someone else other the commonality of our names. I had no idea how hard I was fighting for people to see me. See "Meijah Lieteau" as what I saw her as, although I didn't see her as much. I didn't see her as pretty, or kind, or thoughtful, or thought-provoking, or thought-invading. I did not see her as a gem, a hidden treasure, a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I did not see her as a voice worth speaking, a cornerstone in someone's life, a heart and soul that breathed and worked to live. I saw her how you did. I mispronounced myself. I missed pronouncing - opportunities, for Meijah Lieteau to become known. I missed pronouncing - how to make myself available to others. I missed pronouncing - allowing myself to make mistakes. I always just accepted these mispronunciations of my name, and of my character. I cannot tell you who I am. I cannot tell you how I feel. I cannot. I do not wish to. Because I have NO ANSWERS to those questions! 

And it hurts.  

But... my name is pronounced mah-ee-jah lah-ee-toh

Or that's the closest I can think of.