by Alan Badmington
The latest US course (instructed by Junior Tereva and Alan Badmington) was held in Washington DC, June 22-25. Once again, the Hotel Harrington proved to be an ideal venue, being centrally located within the heart of the tourist district, a short walk from both the White House and Capitol.
The new students (who included three females) originated from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, South Carolina, Boston and California, while the graduates (including five refreshers) were drawn from Washington DC, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York, Chicago, and Canada.
During my many attendances on US courses, I have never failed to be impressed by the enthusiasm displayed by the returning graduates, some of whom travel considerable distances to be present.
Junior and I have always fully recognised that a course is not just for new students. We have a duty to assist with the development of all graduates, irrespective of the length of time that they have belonged to the Programme. By allocating tasks to everyone, and allowing them to take centre stage,
they become empowered. The resultant enhancement of confidence and self-esteem contributes greatly to their recovery. They discover that speaking in front of others can be a most enjoyable experience.
Throughout the latest course, we adhered to this principle, affording graduates (and new students) numerous speaking opportunities. Teaching others is the best way to learn. We witnessed some superb presentations by the graduates, some of whom were attending only their second course. One
had joined the Programme in San Francisco just two weeks previously and benefited hugely by returning at such an early stage. Another refresher, who joined in March 2006, took the opportunity topractice a presentation that he was due to give at an academic conference in Canada a few days later.
The new students also excelled and were leading the checklist on the first evening. They were not content to watch the graduates take the principal roles and had the confidence (and techniques/tools) to emulate them. Right from the very beginning, Junior and I explained that working on the mechanics of one’s speech, in isolation, is not sufficient to achieve recovery. In order to progress successfully along Freedom’s Road, we have to do a great deal more. Unless we expand our comfort zones; challenge our self-limiting beliefs; widen our self-image (to incorporate roles that we, hitherto, believed lay outside our scope); and deal with our avoidance strategies, we will never sustain the gains that we achieve in the safe environment of a McGuire course/support group.
We stressed that merely concentrating upon the technique will never be enough. Our speech forms just one part of the stuttering hexagon - there are, of course, five others. Unless we are prepared to work on other areas of our lives (including our emotional baggage), then the remaining components will seek to drag our improved speech back down to its former level. They are intent on retaining the status quo. The McGuire Programme is holistic in nature - we deal with the whole self and do not simply focus on the speech process.
In my course introduction, I even go as far as to tell the new students that they are wasting their money if they think that they can return home and continue doing the same things that they have always done. I leave them in no doubt that change is essential, and invite them to leave if they are not prepared to take that on board. I know (from past feedback) that they really appreciate such honesty.
The public speaking, once again, took place near the Museum of Natural History - a short distance from the White House. Everyone enjoyed basking in the limelight, as well as the glorious sunshine with which we were blessed.
The feedback sessions on the Friday and Saturday clearly illustrated that the new students (and graduates) had received many favourable responses during their contacts with members of the public. The reactions that they experienced had the effect of positively influencing their perceptions of what others thought about stuttering.
In one split session, the graduates were given a video camera and charged with the task of producing short documentaries. They went out onto the streets, where they conducted news-style interviews (adopting various roles) in full public gaze. The end products made humorous viewing.
It would be improper of me to single out anyone for special mention, as everyone contributed immensely to the success of the four days. The more experienced graduates and refreshers undertook their pre-assigned (and spontaneous) assignments with confidence and eloquence, displaying discipline and varying degrees of originality and flair. I have no hesitation in predicting that there were several future course instructors in our midst.
The sight of a 14 year old graduate presenting with such aplomb was most inspiring. It was also heartening to observe the substantial progress achieved by one of the refreshers who has made immense strides since attending his first course three months earlier. His discipline and technique were superb.
Whilst on the subject of discipline speech - Joerg (now residing in Canada) was also immense in this department. It is a great asset to have such persons sitting on the outside lines - the new students (and others) learn so much from their example.
The farewell speeches were particularly emotional, with several family members and friends present in the audience. I never fail to shed a tear on such occasions. It is, indeed, a privilege to be able to contribute to someone’s recovery and observe the transformation that occurs.
One of the new students accompanied me to Temple University, Philadelphia, (just two days after the course concluded) to address a class of speech-language students. She was simply awesome! I shall report further on this episode in a separate post to the group.
As on previous occasions, Junior and I prepared a blank sheet of paper for every member of the course. Each graduate/new student was invited to write positive comments about the person named. It is surprising what qualities others are able to recognise in us, of which we ourselves may not be aware. Graduates from past courses have mentioned that they have found it useful to read these favourable comments, particularly on those days when things may not be going as well as they had planned.
I am most grateful to Junior for inviting me to instruct yet another course across ‘The Pond’. We have developed a great understanding since we first jointly instructed in Washington DC back in 2002. Many of you will be aware that I have a great affinity for the US Program, having actively assisted with the holding of the first course in Nevada in 2000, just a few months after becoming a graduate. I am lways overwhelmed by the warm welcome that I receive whenever I return across the Atlantic. It was a particular pleasure to meet those graduates with whom I had only previously conversed
by telephone.
Junior’s enthusiasm, commitment, dedication and integrity are immense. He is held in such high esteem by everyone, both within the US Program and throughout the international stuttering community. He inspires others by example and is a perfect role model. In addition, he is one of life’s
gentlemen.
G’day mate!
Kindest regards
Alan Badmington