Cormac King

“Why me?!!” – A recurring question which used to race through my mind every day as I stumbled through life with an out of control stutter.

I joined the McGuire Programme in November 2011. I was a very shy, reserved and hesitant 15-year-old when I came to the Galway for my first course. I joined the McGuire Programme because I simply wanted more out of life, I wanted to say exactly what I wanted to say and I wanted to enjoy speaking. Most importantly I wanted to start enjoying my life. After the first day of my first course, there was no turning back, I was finally able to start being myself.

The past years have been amazing. I am now a confident, enthusiastic and assertive young man, who constantly seeks out new opportunities to help overcome my stutter to become an articulate eloquent speaker. I have done things I once thought were unimaginable and I know that I wouldn’t be as confident today if it wasn’t for the incredible ‘McGuire Family’.

I no longer feel like the loner in the corner as I once did, everyone on the programme is part of a wider family, always there to help and to support.

I’m not saying I’m 100% stutter-free because I’m not. I have good days and bad days, just like any athlete trying to get good at his/her’s sport, only my sport is the sport of speaking. By training regular on my speech, having the good discipline and using the support network I will continue to improve.

The McGuire Programme doesn’t just teach you how to physically overcome your stutter. It goes beyond stuttering and addresses you, the whole person.

I am so grateful for finding the McGuire Programme, which has given me so much in return. I have grown up with the McGuire Programme and have learnt so much about myself in the process. I hope to continue to grow and learn – by helping others – as I progress further through the programme.

So… My journey (so far) to articulate eloquence!