20-year old Muhammed Hassen conquers his fear of his stuttering speech impediment
A SPEECH impediment programme is helping 20-year old Muhammed Hassen conquer his fear of speaking. Hassen lacked self-confidence in high school and his peers would make fun of him because he stuttered.
The McGuire Programme is helping 20-year old Muhammed Hassen conquer his fear of speaking.
Hassen lacked self-confidence in high school and his peers would make fun of him because he stuttered.
“I was really excited about the programme because I knew that it was going to help me with my speech,” said Hassen at his home in Kelvin.
It is not a cure for stuttering but the programme teaches techniques to help me overcome my stuttering
He said he is learning a lot from the programme and is finding it easier to speak to people. “I still have a few challenges like speaking to girls,” joked Hassen. “It is not a cure for stuttering but the programme teaches techniques to help me overcome my stuttering.”
He said some people lose patience with him because he takes longer to speak and this becomes a challenge for him because, as part of the programme, his coach encourages him to make contact with as many people as possible primarily face-to-face (in-person) and on the phone.
Hassen explained, “As stutterers, when we attempt to speak, our diaphragm gets closed up and we struggle to breathe which is why we struggle to say a few words.”
The programme has been teaching Hassen how to control his breathing so he can articulate his words with more ease when expressing himself. He is currently studying transport and logistics in Johannesburg. He said he has a newfound confidence and improves with every McGuire session he attends.
Hassen said his colleagues and lecturers have commended him on his improved speech, a huge turnaround from previous encounters with peers.
“I want other stutterers to know that there is hope if you are a stutterer.”
Muhammed Hassen
