.....was this wee guy who I had met for the first time. In school, I'm doing a course called peer tutoring, where we help first years with their reading. I had this wee guy, lets call him Joe (I aint wanting to tell you his real name cos of the confidentiality stuff) So the first time I met Joe, I got talking to him. As usual when I meet someone I dont know, I was stammering. So Joe stops n says to me "Right, just take your time, breath and slow down!" Of course, I was taken by surprise. I could tell that he meant it in a laid back sort of way. My first thought was, I dont even know you and you know some of the tips that I know on how to deal with my stammer. It was great just the way he casually said it.
The worst reaction Ive had, was unfortunatly, from a teacher. Yes, a grown woman, who you think would be mature. Unfortunatly, she acted worse than a five year old would act. Again, it was in peer tutoring. Those who were in the class, whom I ranted to (sorry about that, to everyone I ranted to) So, we had this guy in talking to the class, giving us a talk. I walked into the class a little late, apologised for being late, and quicky got settled. After a couple of minutes, he asked me what my name was, to which I went to answer. I stammered when I was saying my name, so this teacher just butted in and told the guy my name. I was fuming at this. So, the next day I went down to see her. My girlfriend came down with me. I went in and spoke to the woman, and told her how I felt about the situation. Her reaction was to pull me in front of the head of support for learning, and state that I had "a complaint." So, I explained the situation to this woman (who cannie do the job to save herself. I dont really care if she sees this tbh, cos its the truth) and her attitude was pretty much the same. I was fuming, so fuming that I ranted to my girlfriend all the way back to the library. Sorry about that. That was the worst bloody reaction Ive had. Talk about acting your shoesize. Any teacher that is reading this, or any potential teacher, treat a kid who stammers the way you want to be treated. If you treat them like a child, expect them to be a child back. If you want to be an adult, treat the student as if they are an adult. Best advice I can give you. Anywho, thats another blog, for another week. See you guys next week :)
Saturday, 26 February 2011
Saturday, 19 February 2011
Now is the winter of our discontent
Sorry I've not updated this in a couple of weeks guys. The name will make sense later :)
Anyway, I had an interview a couple of weeks ago for college. Twas very intresting. The great thing was, the guy really gave me the time to speak. We had never met before, and he was great. So I was offered a place there and then :D:D:D Those of you who saw my facebook, will know that, but I just thought I'd tell you again. I GOT INTO COLLEGE :D :D just couldnt help it there.
So, a few days later, there was the British Stammering association open day in Glasgow. It was very intresting actually. It was great to get together with other folk who stammer. There was this really nice guy, I think he was from India or something, that I got talking to. Turns out he was a lawyer. Know thats a random fact, but tbh it really showed me that if I work, then I can get far. He seemed to be in a job he enjoyed, and obv had worked hard for it. So now for the explanation of the title of this blog. In the afternoon, there was a workshop called "Linoel Louge: Maravik or magician" For those of you who have not seen the Kings Speech yet, Linoel Louge is the speech therapist in it, the character that Geofry Rush plays. So, Jan, the woman that was taking the workshop, got us to all lie on the floor, facing the ceilng. We had to imagine a colum of air coming out when we breathed out, and it could go as high, or as low as we wanted it. Then she got us to do the same with Shakespere quotes, and swear words. So yeah, anyone walking past would be wondering what the hell was going on in this room. It also involved getting into pairs, and doing either toungetwisters, or the acutal Kings speech, that was read out by George VI when world war two broke out. I done the speech thing, with this other guy who stammers. Jan came up and listened to us both saying it, and was encouraging us to swear. It was brilliant, cos I was stammering, and she just shouted (excuse the choice of words here)
BUGGER BUGGER FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK BUGERDY BUGGER :P
So yeah,that was very intresting.
Thats pretty much it for this time folks. Hope you like it :)
Anyway, I had an interview a couple of weeks ago for college. Twas very intresting. The great thing was, the guy really gave me the time to speak. We had never met before, and he was great. So I was offered a place there and then :D:D:D Those of you who saw my facebook, will know that, but I just thought I'd tell you again. I GOT INTO COLLEGE :D :D just couldnt help it there.
So, a few days later, there was the British Stammering association open day in Glasgow. It was very intresting actually. It was great to get together with other folk who stammer. There was this really nice guy, I think he was from India or something, that I got talking to. Turns out he was a lawyer. Know thats a random fact, but tbh it really showed me that if I work, then I can get far. He seemed to be in a job he enjoyed, and obv had worked hard for it. So now for the explanation of the title of this blog. In the afternoon, there was a workshop called "Linoel Louge: Maravik or magician" For those of you who have not seen the Kings Speech yet, Linoel Louge is the speech therapist in it, the character that Geofry Rush plays. So, Jan, the woman that was taking the workshop, got us to all lie on the floor, facing the ceilng. We had to imagine a colum of air coming out when we breathed out, and it could go as high, or as low as we wanted it. Then she got us to do the same with Shakespere quotes, and swear words. So yeah, anyone walking past would be wondering what the hell was going on in this room. It also involved getting into pairs, and doing either toungetwisters, or the acutal Kings speech, that was read out by George VI when world war two broke out. I done the speech thing, with this other guy who stammers. Jan came up and listened to us both saying it, and was encouraging us to swear. It was brilliant, cos I was stammering, and she just shouted (excuse the choice of words here)
BUGGER BUGGER FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK BUGERDY BUGGER :P
So yeah,that was very intresting.
Thats pretty much it for this time folks. Hope you like it :)
Sunday, 30 January 2011
phones :)
Ok, sorry about last week guys, the stress is begining to hit us with the exams. I never thought I would actually be doing a blog about phones. Basiclly, the phone has been the bain of my life since I started to stammer. Ive honestly hated the thing. Its not even that its that scarey a thing, its just I do not like the thing. So basicly, I thought, its time to conquer my fear of the thing that must not be named. (ok I know I've mentioned it a couple of times before)
So, last week, before I went out to my girlfriends, I had to phone a guy about my clarinet. But when I dialed the number, it was impossiable for me to actually go any further. So, I spent about ten minutes doing this deep breathing crap in the kitchen. Tried it again, and I still couldn't do it. I tried about 3 or 4 times to actually phone him. So, thinking back to the kings speech, I remember the bits where Bertie was swearing, and how it relaxed him. So, I tried swearing, and the various other things Lionel taught him (IE singing, dancing about the place) and if you have seen my hall, its not exactly the best place to be dancing. Anyway I tried it, and I felt more relaxed. I phoned the guy, stammered when I started talking to him, but as I got into the flow of the conversation, I did not stammer :D:D:D:D
Anyway, yesterday the phone goes. And as I was going up to answer it, I kept saying swear words. It felt goooooood that I could actually talk without stammering as much as I do. It felt pretty awesome. I can honestly say, that, although I'm 100% confident with the phone, I feel I'm on my way to conquering one of my biggest fears. Its funny, one piece of technology can make even grown people terrified. Just one tiny thing, can make one person, scared out of their wits. Honestly, thoe of you that don't stammer, don't know how terrifying it can be.
Anywho thats this blog for this time. I don't know when my next one will be, but I've got a couple of intresting things coming up. I've got a college interview a week on Tuesday and theres the BSA open day in Glasgow in a couple of weeks. So yeah, cya next whenever it is :)
So, last week, before I went out to my girlfriends, I had to phone a guy about my clarinet. But when I dialed the number, it was impossiable for me to actually go any further. So, I spent about ten minutes doing this deep breathing crap in the kitchen. Tried it again, and I still couldn't do it. I tried about 3 or 4 times to actually phone him. So, thinking back to the kings speech, I remember the bits where Bertie was swearing, and how it relaxed him. So, I tried swearing, and the various other things Lionel taught him (IE singing, dancing about the place) and if you have seen my hall, its not exactly the best place to be dancing. Anyway I tried it, and I felt more relaxed. I phoned the guy, stammered when I started talking to him, but as I got into the flow of the conversation, I did not stammer :D:D:D:D
Anyway, yesterday the phone goes. And as I was going up to answer it, I kept saying swear words. It felt goooooood that I could actually talk without stammering as much as I do. It felt pretty awesome. I can honestly say, that, although I'm 100% confident with the phone, I feel I'm on my way to conquering one of my biggest fears. Its funny, one piece of technology can make even grown people terrified. Just one tiny thing, can make one person, scared out of their wits. Honestly, thoe of you that don't stammer, don't know how terrifying it can be.
Anywho thats this blog for this time. I don't know when my next one will be, but I've got a couple of intresting things coming up. I've got a college interview a week on Tuesday and theres the BSA open day in Glasgow in a couple of weeks. So yeah, cya next whenever it is :)
Saturday, 15 January 2011
alright :P
Well hello again those of you who choose to follow/have a look. How you all been doing, alright?
This week has been...very intresting I must admit. Lets just say, I've been stammering like hell, but I dont actually care. Monday morning, I had a free period. So me n my mate were sitting in one of the RE classes, and talking to the teacher (while doing work of course.) We were sitting talking, and I was stammering like hell. The great thing is, the teacher, who I dont know that well tbh, gave me all the time in the world. She didn't but in, or try and finish my sentences off for me. She just happilly sat there, giving me the time I needed, waiting for me to say what I had to say. Honestly, that's one of the best things ever for someone who stammers. I went to my next class honestly feeling good.
Monday night, my mums phone goes, but she was on the house phone. I answered it for her, cos I knew who it was n most probably what it would be about. (Got to tell you, talking on the phone is something I don't do voluntarly that often. Since I started stammering, it's been the bain of my life) I answered it, spoke to the person, and honestly, its a wonder I dont use the phone that often. I stammered at every word, it was unebelievable. But I suppose I'm feeling a bit more confident now. I prooved to myself that I can talk on the phone, and yeah it will take a bit of work, but I honestly can do it.
Talking about phones, I remember I was at a summer thing at Strathclyde uni a few years ago. We had to do this challange, and one of us had to talk on the phone. I (for some strange reason I must admit, I must of been on something at this point) happily put my hand up and said I'd do it. To this day, I don't know what possesed me to do this. Anyway, about ten minutes later, the phone goes and I go outside n start talking to the person on the other end. One of the mentors came out with me, and all I remember was every two seconds, this guy was doing breathing motions, telling me to stay calm. And the best thing is, the whole time I was talking on the phone, I did not stammer once. It was pretty amazing. (Sorry had to mention that.)
Anyway, Thursday night, the cinema was calling, and the Kings Speech was the film it called me to see. Honestly, the film is so good. I won't say too much, as I know there are people who want to see it, but I know that I learned some stuff from it. However, no speech therapist I've met, has encouraged me to swear as a way to combat my stammer. (But i've noticed that if I have had to swear, I do not stammer at all.) Mabye thats saying something. If I stammer in front of teachers, just swear, it may work. I've got a valid excuse, Geforry Rush says it works :P
Anywho thats my blog for this week. Know its a bit random, but hope you enjoy it. :)
This week has been...very intresting I must admit. Lets just say, I've been stammering like hell, but I dont actually care. Monday morning, I had a free period. So me n my mate were sitting in one of the RE classes, and talking to the teacher (while doing work of course.) We were sitting talking, and I was stammering like hell. The great thing is, the teacher, who I dont know that well tbh, gave me all the time in the world. She didn't but in, or try and finish my sentences off for me. She just happilly sat there, giving me the time I needed, waiting for me to say what I had to say. Honestly, that's one of the best things ever for someone who stammers. I went to my next class honestly feeling good.
Monday night, my mums phone goes, but she was on the house phone. I answered it for her, cos I knew who it was n most probably what it would be about. (Got to tell you, talking on the phone is something I don't do voluntarly that often. Since I started stammering, it's been the bain of my life) I answered it, spoke to the person, and honestly, its a wonder I dont use the phone that often. I stammered at every word, it was unebelievable. But I suppose I'm feeling a bit more confident now. I prooved to myself that I can talk on the phone, and yeah it will take a bit of work, but I honestly can do it.
Talking about phones, I remember I was at a summer thing at Strathclyde uni a few years ago. We had to do this challange, and one of us had to talk on the phone. I (for some strange reason I must admit, I must of been on something at this point) happily put my hand up and said I'd do it. To this day, I don't know what possesed me to do this. Anyway, about ten minutes later, the phone goes and I go outside n start talking to the person on the other end. One of the mentors came out with me, and all I remember was every two seconds, this guy was doing breathing motions, telling me to stay calm. And the best thing is, the whole time I was talking on the phone, I did not stammer once. It was pretty amazing. (Sorry had to mention that.)
Anyway, Thursday night, the cinema was calling, and the Kings Speech was the film it called me to see. Honestly, the film is so good. I won't say too much, as I know there are people who want to see it, but I know that I learned some stuff from it. However, no speech therapist I've met, has encouraged me to swear as a way to combat my stammer. (But i've noticed that if I have had to swear, I do not stammer at all.) Mabye thats saying something. If I stammer in front of teachers, just swear, it may work. I've got a valid excuse, Geforry Rush says it works :P
Anywho thats my blog for this week. Know its a bit random, but hope you enjoy it. :)
Saturday, 8 January 2011
first ever blog :P
Hey to anyone who has nothing better to do, but follow this. How you all doing? Well basiclly, I thought the other day, "how about doing a blog about my stammer." So basiclly, Im gonna update as often as I can, tell you all how me and the stammer are getting on (which isnt very well as itis a pain in the asshole) and anything that may of happened. So, where to start. I've had my stammer since I was 8 and a half. So 2001. I'll admit it has been hard, but its been fun. I've had a few laughs about it, and not let it get in my way. I'm really into music, and want to do it when I leave school. I've played in a few good places, including the Barony hall, Glasgow and the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.
I didn't start getting speech therapy until I was about 10 or 11. But when I did start getting it, it really worked. I know that diffrent people have dffrent experiences of it, but I really felt the benifit of it, my speech was improving bit by bit, I was becoming a little bit more confident and so on. Since I started attending, I've been involved in many things, such as an honours students project, filming for the British Stammering association and BSA family days. The filming was great. It was for CD ROMS that were being released to school all across Scotland to give teachers advice on how to help pupils that stammer. It really gave me and other folk that stammer the chance to have our voices heard about what helped us.
Yeah, I have had trouble with some folk about my stammer. And teachers are just as bad as what folk my age are. One teacher (who shall remain nameless for their benifit) cut me off when I was talking to someone in class, and finished my sentece off for me. This, I was very unhappy at. NEVER EVER cut someone who stammers off. NEVER EVER finish they're sentence for them. Best advice I can give. So anyway, I spoke to her later, told her that I didn't really like the fact that she had done what she had done, and my head was chewed off. She hated the fact, that this 17 year old, actually had the courage to take her on and proove she was wrong. I was given the whole lecture, about how I was taken into the class late (dont ask, screw up with exam results) I was like jee, get over yourself, dont look for the bloody sympathy vote. So I then went to guidence, who was not a very happy person. So eventually it was dealt with.
I've often found that if I say to the bullys "how would you like having a stammer, and being bullied" most (that is most) see sense, and realise it wasn't the right thing to do.
So thanks, to Eilidh, Liz and Morag, the three muskateers, who all gave me help with my stammer, and joined me on this journey. If you see this at some point in the future, thanks for putting up with me, and the nutter who is my mother lol. Thanks for all the tips you gave me, they really do work. Thanks to my family, for all the support they've gave me. And thanks for putting up with the music practise, its something that's really kept me going. Thanks to those friends, who have stuck by me, and gave me the chance to have my voice heard. And those who have made the light hearted jokes, thats something thats took the burden off a little. I know your kinda sense of humour, so I can forgive you. And one last thank you is to Emma, my amazing girlfriend. Thanks for not judging me or anything like that. It's make life a whole lot easier tbh. Thanks to you all for joining me on this incredable, crazy and sometime really hard journey. I know having all of you here with me has really helped.
Before I end this first blog, there is a quote I want to share with you. The Kings Speech, the film that has just came out, has a scene with Collin Firth and Gefory Rush.
Firth: "LISTEN TO ME, LISTEN TO ME"
Rush: "Why should I waste my time listening to you?"
Firth: "BECAUSE I HAVE A VOICE!!!!!!"
Rush: "yes you do"
I think that if everyone who suffers from a stammer, has the mindset, of "I have a voice" then anything is possible. Just keep telling yourself that, and anything can be achieved.
I didn't start getting speech therapy until I was about 10 or 11. But when I did start getting it, it really worked. I know that diffrent people have dffrent experiences of it, but I really felt the benifit of it, my speech was improving bit by bit, I was becoming a little bit more confident and so on. Since I started attending, I've been involved in many things, such as an honours students project, filming for the British Stammering association and BSA family days. The filming was great. It was for CD ROMS that were being released to school all across Scotland to give teachers advice on how to help pupils that stammer. It really gave me and other folk that stammer the chance to have our voices heard about what helped us.
Yeah, I have had trouble with some folk about my stammer. And teachers are just as bad as what folk my age are. One teacher (who shall remain nameless for their benifit) cut me off when I was talking to someone in class, and finished my sentece off for me. This, I was very unhappy at. NEVER EVER cut someone who stammers off. NEVER EVER finish they're sentence for them. Best advice I can give. So anyway, I spoke to her later, told her that I didn't really like the fact that she had done what she had done, and my head was chewed off. She hated the fact, that this 17 year old, actually had the courage to take her on and proove she was wrong. I was given the whole lecture, about how I was taken into the class late (dont ask, screw up with exam results) I was like jee, get over yourself, dont look for the bloody sympathy vote. So I then went to guidence, who was not a very happy person. So eventually it was dealt with.
I've often found that if I say to the bullys "how would you like having a stammer, and being bullied" most (that is most) see sense, and realise it wasn't the right thing to do.
So thanks, to Eilidh, Liz and Morag, the three muskateers, who all gave me help with my stammer, and joined me on this journey. If you see this at some point in the future, thanks for putting up with me, and the nutter who is my mother lol. Thanks for all the tips you gave me, they really do work. Thanks to my family, for all the support they've gave me. And thanks for putting up with the music practise, its something that's really kept me going. Thanks to those friends, who have stuck by me, and gave me the chance to have my voice heard. And those who have made the light hearted jokes, thats something thats took the burden off a little. I know your kinda sense of humour, so I can forgive you. And one last thank you is to Emma, my amazing girlfriend. Thanks for not judging me or anything like that. It's make life a whole lot easier tbh. Thanks to you all for joining me on this incredable, crazy and sometime really hard journey. I know having all of you here with me has really helped.
Before I end this first blog, there is a quote I want to share with you. The Kings Speech, the film that has just came out, has a scene with Collin Firth and Gefory Rush.
Firth: "LISTEN TO ME, LISTEN TO ME"
Rush: "Why should I waste my time listening to you?"
Firth: "BECAUSE I HAVE A VOICE!!!!!!"
Rush: "yes you do"
I think that if everyone who suffers from a stammer, has the mindset, of "I have a voice" then anything is possible. Just keep telling yourself that, and anything can be achieved.
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