How I learned to take control of my life with the help of The McGuire Programme and defending my bachelor’s thesis.

Sharing a story from Christian Kento Rasmussen from The McGuire Programme in Scandinavia and an important milestone in many students’ lives: defending their bachelor’s thesis.

When I was younger, my stuttering was a big problem for me. This was especially apparent in my social life while I was in high school. My stuttering meant that I had a hard time making new friends. Not because I did not want to, but because my stutter stopped me physically from being part of the normal chatter in my friends’ group. But also, psychological as I was scared to show my stutter to others. This also meant that I hated oral presentations.  They were feared situations that I just needed to get through.

I felt limited by my stutter. I wanted to take control of my own life, talk to the people I wanted to talk with and make friends with the people I wanted. Not go home and feel defeated by my speech after a day in school.

I got recommended about the McGuire Programme from another stuttering camp to regain control of my stutter. I attended my first course in Aarhus in 2017.

I recently attended my 4th course in Aarhus, Denmark. This was another fun course with a great group of individuals.

The course is 3½ days of intensive training. We go back to basics and focus on learning to speak with our ‘basic cycle of speech.’ This is the place where we begin the fight. We fight to get control of our speech. We learn about discipline and ‘how to keep it.’

In the final days of the course, we take a deep dive into the psychological aspects of stuttering, breaking down the barriers of what we think is possible. We go into the city and talk with strangers using great techniques to show the world our newfound control of our speech. 

Coming home from my 4th course, I am looking forward to many more training sessions at my local support group in Copenhagen, Denmark. I find it a great place to keep practising and to stay disciplined with my speech. As well as being part of a community of people who have similar experiences as me. These meetings are great for receiving feedback and encouraging words when I have had a tough week. 

This summer I am going to defend my bachelor’s thesis. For most of my life oral presentations have been one of my most hated situations. It was usually 30 minutes of uncontrolled stuttering. However, now it is just a place for me to use my new speaking techniques. Not only about what I know about the topic, but how far I have come with my speech. I am in control and can use my body language and tone in my voice to confidently communicate my knowledge.

Last year I moved into a dorm at my university. Here I have a nice group of friends. When we sit around the dinner table, I can participate in the conversation at my tempo, without being limited by my stutter. I can choose who I want to talk to and make friends with them. I have even started taking dancing lessons (Salsa) to expand my comfort zone while having fun.

So, what has The McGuire programme done for me?

It has allowed me to take control of my speech and my own life. I can express myself as who I am. I enjoy the sport of speaking. 

But most importantly I can have a fun time with my friends, without feeling that my stutter limits me.

Christian Kento Rasmussen