The McGuire Programme

Regional Director of The McGuire Programme in USA/CA

• Course Date: September 27, 2021
• Course Location: Online via zoom
• Course Instructor: Chris Cooksey and Brendan Comport
• Number of New Students: 5: 1 Female & 4 Male

We recently held our second online intensive course for people who stutter …and who really want to do something about it in the USA/CANADA region. Unfortunately, there is no cure for stuttering but we offer the next best thing.

During one of our many pre-course zoom meetings one of our course instructors stated: 

“If you are looking for a CURE for STUTTERING, you are in the wrong place and better leave now”.  Statement by one of our course instructors btw: nobody left!

Whilst most people who stutter secretly wish for a magic pill to cure their stutter, most know there is no cure for stuttering, and some look for ways to control their stutter and even overcome it.

Many famous people who stutter have worked hard to overcome their stutter, and this gives hope to those who struggle every day with the fear of speaking and not being able to even say their own name. 

Despite many fluent people telling us who stutter, that it does not bother them, they don’t understand that it really does bother us who stutter. We want to do whatever we can to control/ to overcome/ (whatever word we want to use), but we don’t want to be out of control stutterers who cannot even say something as important as our own name.

Chris Cooksey, one of our course instructors for this course joined in our ‘Now I Can . . . video series.

NOW I CAN: Chris Cooksey, the UK

NOW I CAN: Chris Cooksey, the UK Chris Cooksey is a McGuire Programme member from the UK Region. “Now I can enjoy the everyday things that other people take for granted (for example), making and receiving phone calls, givingly details to a department store, ordering what I want to have in a restaurant and speaking up if it isn’t right. Even the unusual things like standing up and being heard at a meeting. I wouldn’t have done that when I had no control at all over my stutter.” Chris added “The McGuire Programme has made me more confident to be myself.” #NOWICAN #ISAD2021 #ISAD #mcguireprogramme #stuttering #stammering #takenforgramted #phonecalls #phonephobia #spekingup #beheard #controlPosted by

We started into our intensive 12 hour days on ZOOM and after the first day, we could see changes in each person. During these intensive 12 hours plus days, other members of the programme joined us on ZOOM to help coach and inspire our new members to grasp and understand our concepts and put them to work in the real world. People say there is no cure for stuttering, but seeing these brave new students speak in control for the first time is truly amazing. The hard work as begun and will continue.

By the end of the intensive course and the start of using the extensive support network, everyone was working hard to maintain their gains and turning their perception of “I think I can do this,” into the belief that “I know I can do this”. With the support of like-minded people, who want to work hard at overcoming their stutter, everyone is on their way to becoming effective eloquent speakers.

Some quotes from the new students during the course:

“Now I can speak with my father in his native tongue … which I couldn’t just 2 weeks ago!”

Quote from one new student.

“I see a monumental difference in me.”

Quote from one new student.

“I felt scared at the beginning but now I feel good. I am happy I did it. “

Quote from another new student.

Brendan Comport, one of our course instructors for this course joined in our ‘Now I Can . . . video series.

NOW I CAN: Brendan Clay Comport, the USA

NOW I CAN: Brendan Clay Comport, the USA Brendan Comport is a McGuire Programme member from the USA+Canada Region. “Now I can have video conference calls for work and say what I really want to say. That was unimaginable years ago and feels so empowering now.” Brendan also said that “The McGuire Programme has helped me with my career and generally everything!” #NOWICAN #ISAD2021 #ISAD #mcguireprogramme #stuttering #stammering #business #meetings #career #videocalls #videoconferencecalls #empowering #unimaginablePosted by The McGuire Programme on Monday, October 11, 2021

Are you ready to take action with us? Till next time…

Maria is your first point of contact for people who stutter in the USA and Canada Region.

Around the world, our Regional Directors run the Programme in their respective regions. They organise Courses, Support Groups and Open Nights – among many other events and happenings related to helping people who stutter.

Maria is very happy to answer any questions you may have so please don’t hesitate to contact her.