‘We control our stutter now, it doesn’t control us’: Three young people reveal how they reclaimed their voice

TV documentary follows local stammer sufferers as they embark on life-changing course.

Tonight, BBC One will shine a spotlight on three courageous young people – Courtney, Nathan, and Lily-Rose – as they share their journeys of taking back control of their speech in the new documentary My Stammer, My Story.

The film follows them as they join the McGuire Programme, a global community of people who stammer who are determined to transform not only their speech, but also their lives.

From Silent Struggles to Speaking Out

For Lily-Rose, growing up with a stammer was isolating. Nicknamed “Mary Mouse” at school for being so quiet, she often felt invisible and avoided speaking whenever possible. “It was frightening,” she recalls, describing how she struggled to order food or make a doctor’s appointment. Like so many who stammer, everyday situations became sources of fear and frustration.

Courtney and Nathan share similar stories of silence, shame, and being misunderstood. But through the Programme, they discovered a turning point: they could learn to control their stammer, instead of letting it control them.

Finding Their Voices

At the heart of the McGuire Programme is the belief that recovery isn’t just about fluent speech – it’s about rebuilding identity, confidence, and resilience. With structured training, coaching, and an ever-present support network, members like Courtney, Nathan, and Lily-Rose begin to see that change is possible.

“It was a real turning point for me,” says Lily-Rose. For Courtney, it meant finding the strength to use her voice openly, while Nathan describes finally feeling equipped to face life without fear holding him back.

A Shared Journey

What makes the McGuire Programme unique is its community. New students are immediately surrounded by graduates and coaches who have been through the same challenges – and who continue to support one another daily. Together, they push past comfort zones, celebrate progress, and encourage each other through setbacks.

The documentary captures not only the personal victories of these three young people, but also the universal message at the heart of the Programme: with courage, discipline, and support, people who stammer can reclaim their voices and build the lives they truly want.

Tune In

My Stammer, My Story airs tonight on BBC One. We invite you to watch and celebrate the strength and honesty of Courtney, Nathan, and Lily-Rose. Their story is also the story of thousands of McGuire Programme members worldwide – people who refuse to be defined by stammering and instead are choosing a new path forward.

Because, as they put it so powerfully:
“We control our stutter now. It does not control us.”