School was a nightmare for me especially when it came to reading out loud. I would be sitting in my seat and waiting for my turn and feeling sick because I knew that I would not be able to do it.
This happened every day of my life, it wasn't just a once off.
No one ever asked me what was wrong and in those days (1950's) stammering was never really spoken about.
Stammering controlled me and the fear and panic of not being able to say what I wanted made me frustrated and angry.
Every speaking situation was a struggle and I manipulated my family and friends to speak for me and I avoided situations where I would have to speak.
With hard work and courage the Programme has given me a new confidence when speaking and I now have control over how I speak.
I became a Certified Primary Coach in 2011 and from my own personal experience I can now help others in their journey to become strong articulate speakers.
I first heard about the McGuire Programme on The Late Late Show in December 1997 and for the first time in my life I could relate to people who had the same problem as I had. I knew that I was no longer alone and I was really impressed by how well each participant spoke and behaved.
They spoke so confidently without any sign of struggle or avoidance and I could tell that they were so proud of themselves.
COLIN Firth’s critically acclaimed portrayal of King George VI in the soon-to-be-released film The King’s Speech has not only generated Oscar buzz, it has also highlighted the effect that stammering has on people’s lives. COLIN Firth’s critically acclaimed portrayal of King George VI in the soon-to-be-released film The King’s Speech has not only generated Oscar buzz, it has also highlighted the effect that stammering has on people’s lives.
“The journalism is going really well. I’ve always know that’s what I’ve wanted to do,” says Hanlon, who completed a BA in journalism in Dublin City University.
But Hanlon is one of the 45,000 people in Ireland who stammer.
“My speech has always held me back through life. I wasn’t sure if I could cope [with journalism] because it’s a very communication-based, fast-paced career,” says Hanlon, who last year attended the McGuire Programme to alleviate stammering.
Three years ago, I would never have thought this [success] possible.
I have just spent four worthwhile days in Galway city. I got on the Belfast bus at Dungannon, changed at Enniskillen, then again at Sligo and arrived in Galway 5 and a half hours later, just in time for some great fish and chips in McDonaghs, before heading to the Salthill hotel. There started my real journey. I met eleven people, ranging from 14 years to 40, both men and women, who had a stammer. I also met Joe O’Donnell, the course organizer, and Gareth Gates, pop idol winner and singer, who was instructing the course.
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