Finding His Voice: Chris Meade’s Journey with Stammering and the McGuire Programme
International Stuttering Awareness Day 2024: A Story of Hope and Perseverance
For 54-year-old Chris Meade from Maidenhead, finding his voice has been a lifelong challenge. Living with a stammer since childhood, Chris experienced the pain, frustration, and isolation that many in the stammering community know all too well. But now, he is determined to share his story and bring hope to others, in time for International Stuttering Awareness Day on October 22.
Chris’s struggle with his stammer began as a child. He recalls the anxiety of reading aloud in class, facing the laughter of classmates, and the heartbreak of being unable to express himself even to his own mother. Though he received speech therapy at a young age, the sessions were limited and lacked the long-term support he needed.
“I was given a block of six or eight sessions and told to get on with it,” Chris shared in a recent interview with the Maidenhead Advertiser. “That put me off seeking further help, and I had very little support from age six to 53.”
The lack of local support services made it difficult for Chris to find the help he needed. Despite the challenges, he persevered through his teens and adult life, but his stammer continued to impact both his personal and professional experiences.
In 2023, a turning point came when Chris was named a finalist for Slimming World’s annual ‘Man of the Year’ award, having lost 15 stone. But when he had to speak in front of hundreds of people, his stammer resurfaced, bringing up years of struggle. It was a difficult moment, but one that pushed Chris to seek out real support for the first time.
He turned to the McGuire Programme, a course designed to empower people who stutter through real-life communication skills and a global network of support. It was unlike anything he had experienced before.
“Our support network is second to none,” said Chris. “I think that’s what I missed when I had my speech therapy. It’s taken me a long time to get help, but now I’m communicating in a way I never could before.”
With the McGuire Programme, Chris found himself facing challenges he once dreaded. Weekly Zoom meetings, once a source of anxiety, became opportunities for growth. He also started sharing his story on social media, hoping to inspire others who struggle with stammering to seek the help they deserve.
“It’s About Education and Understanding”
Chris’s story highlights the importance of educating the public about stammering. He acknowledges that while attitudes have improved over the years, there is still a lack of understanding. People often don’t know how to react when speaking to someone who stammers, and this can lead to uncomfortable situations.
“People need to know about stammering – how hard it can be, or how easy if you get support,” Chris emphasized. Through International Stuttering Awareness Day, he hopes to bring greater visibility to the challenges faced by those who stammer, and to encourage others to be patient and kind.
A recent incident at Reading railway station, where Chris was laughed at by a shop employee, demonstrated the kind of ignorance that still exists. But this time, equipped with the techniques from the McGuire Programme, Chris was able to confront the situation with newfound confidence.
“I went up to the man, I looked him in the eyes and told him what I’d wanted to say,” he said. “That was a bad time, but I’ll remember the good time where I spoke and I was in control.”
A Message of Hope
Today, Chris is proud of being a stammerer. He sees it as an opportunity to connect with others, to spread awareness, and to help those who might be struggling in silence. His message is simple but powerful: “Please be kind and patient with us who stammer. [When] you snigger behind our backs, it makes us worse.”
For Chris, every speaking opportunity is a chance to take another step forward. Whether it’s ordering a coffee or sharing his story in front of a hundred people, he is ready to face the challenge head-on, with the support of the McGuire Programme and a community that understands.
Join Us This ISAD 2024
As we recognize International Stuttering Awareness Day, we celebrate stories like Chris’s – stories of resilience, growth, and hope. Let’s work together to create a world where every person who stammers feels seen, heard, and understood.
Share this post and help spread the message of support for people who stammer. Together, we can make a difference.