Ireland - course report
Galway, 05 Aug 2009
22 new students arrived in the Salthill Hotel in Galway in order to deal with their stammering problem. Some have had to deal with the problem for nearly 50 years.
4 of the students were female, 18 male and 8 were under 18 years of age.
50% showed covert characteristics and 50% overt.
Michael Rohan was the instructor on this course and he began with explanations of diaphragmatic breathing followed by drilling of the breathing, phonating sounds, hit & hold, block release and on to the checklist.
Further drilling was on directions, laws, approach avoidance conflicts, assertiveness and overkill.
Split sessions were run at various stages throughout the day for the grads on discipline, drilling hit and hold, checklist, directions and laws, motivation, how to move forward in recovery.
We decided to run a split session on the new students reporting back on Thursday night in order to speed things up. This proved very beneficial as we had many course instructors and interns attend the course. The new students showed great character and courage and of course great technique.
Friday included sessions on recap of what was covered so far, stairway to eloquence, checklist, directions, laws, relapse and honesty.
One new student took ill on Friday morning and had to leave the course. We wish him well in his recovery and perhaps he may return on a future course.
Another student decided the course was not for him and did not enrol. We also wish him well.
And so, the 20 new students and over 80 graduates headed onto the streets of Galway for contacts and disclosures. The weather was great and this brought many shoppers into town.
Split session for the graduates were held on the hexagon, thrusting ourselves with our speech and a quiz.
Conor Molloy and his team of actors from the Galway and Longford support groups performed a play about a family of stammerers and their eloquent son. It was truly an exceptional performance from all involved. Well done lads.
Friday night reporting back by the new students was also a split session and the students showed great technique.
Saturday included sessions on the cycle of panic/blocking, checklist and sports mentality.
The Harrison workshops were organised and run by the very able Philip Reilly and his team of 12 coaches. It was a magical session as everyone let go and had fun speaking.
Public speaking was held on Shop Street and over 200 people gathered to hear the new students, refreshers and graduates speak powerfully and eloquently from the soap box.
Family members arrived on Saturday evening to hear their loved ones deliver very emotional and disciplined farewell speeches. Another special moment in many people’s lives.
Thanks to all the grads and refreshers who took time out of their loves to attend this course to help the new students and each other on the road to freedom.
Thanks to the grads and refreshers who did presentations on this course. You all prepared well and it showed.
To the instructors, interns and staff trainers for all the behind the scenes work that very few get to see.
To Peter, Emmet and Clairemarie whose help throughout the course made it very special.
To Dave, for this wonderful programme and for taking time out to talk with each student on the Saturday.
To Michael Rohan, a huge thanks to a truly inspirational man who put so much thought and effort into this course. Michael is a very caring individual and a friend to everyone on the programme. I know Michael will be in the driving seat in the not too distant future.
Peter Connolly is in the hot seat next!
4th – 7th November in Galway. Bring it on!