I have stammered for as long as I can remember.
In my school days, I barely talked to anyone and especially to the teachers even when I had some doubts about the topic being discussed. I was unable to say "Present ma'am" I always used to say "Yes mam" instead because I blocked on "P", a plosive sound. I vividly remember those times when I was severely punished by a class teacher because the teacher asked me stand up and say the answer to a question she posed. When I stood up to answer the question, my heart was pounding hard, face was sweating profusely and turned red, hands were shivering. When I opened my mouth to speak, I was out of breath and had a terrible block! Seeing me unable to say utter even a single word, the teacher became very furious and slapped me 10 times on my face in front of whole class!!! That was just one of many instances where I was disgusted with my stammer and angry with myself for not being able to string a sentence together.
When I opened my mouth to speak, I was out of breath and had a terrible block!
I heard about the McGuire Programme in 2014 by some of my The Indian Stammering Association (TISA) friends. When the inaugural course was conducted in Bengaluru in the Summer of 2014, I really wanted to go, but due to bad luck, I had an accident a few weeks prior and was diagnosed with Disc herniation (back problem) and had to abandon the plan. Over the course of the next twelve months, I worked hard to overcome my back problem and slowly recovered. After recovery, I finally joined the course in the Winter of 2015 in New Delhi.
I finally joined the course in the Winter of 2015 in New Delhi.
I was hoping to hear that there was a cure for stammering (or perhaps some technique to hide my stammer,) but was sorely disappointed to learn on Day 1 that there was no cure for stammmering. During the course of the next four days, I learnt tools and techniques to greatly reduce the likelihood of a speech block occurring, and also, how to release a speech block should one occur. I realized that even though there was no cure, I could absolutely control my stammer and say what I want to say when I wanted to say it. That was a terrific feeling, something that I never felt in my life before. I realized my confidence was beginning to soar and by the last day of the course, I was walking on air. It was then that I realized that stammering is not a speech problem.
I realized my confidence was beginning to soar and by the last day of the course, I was walking on air.
I became so confident after the course that I started having conversations with strangers, and even gave a speech in my class of 250 students. It was my first life changing experience that I used to dream about that one day I will give a speech in front of my class. This wouldn't have been possible if not for the McGuire course instructors and experienced coaches that helped me stay disciplined and focused after the course.
It was my first life changing experience that I used to dream about that one day I will give a speech in front of my class.
I highly recommend the McGuire Programme to whoever is suffering from a stammering problem. The Programme will teach you how to defeat the fear of stammering and give precise tools and techniques to become an eloquent speaker. If you are still apprehensive about it, you can talk to the Regional Director and perhaps read the book Beyond Stammering. It is a great book that gives an overview of stammering and explains the philosophy of the Programme with step by step instructions on how to get a control of your speech.
I am proud to say that I am working on my speech and constantly pushing my comfort zone every single day. I am truly loving my life now more than ever before. My sincere thanks to the McGuire Programme for this transformation!
I am truly loving my life now more than ever before.