A TOP Glasgow teacher who found his voice has teamed up with the BBC to help others battling the same affliction.
As reported by the Evening Times previously, Adam Black, 29, found it tough growing up with a stammer as he felt he couldn’t be who he really was.
Years of speech therapy and elocution lessons did little to help – and at one point he gave up all hope of fulfilling a dream to become a teacher. However after successfully completing the intensive McGuire Programme, Adam found the confidence to go for it.
The McGuire Programme is an emotionally-charged residential course run by former stammerers. It uses physical and psychological techniques and can lead to life-changing results.
Adam, from Eaglesham, said: "The onus is on hard work and ownership of your stammer. Rather than hide from it – as I did for years – you face it head on.”
Adam, a teacher at Eastmuir Primary in Balornock, has now teamed up with BBC The Social to produce a short film, entitled Embracing My Stutter: Adam’s Story.
Within the three-minute video, Adam discusses how he used to change his name to John as it was easier to say, but has grown the confidence to now give speeches at his own wedding and as a best man.
Now accepting his stammer, Adam hopes the video will encourage others to embrace the quirks that make them who they are.
He said: “The video came about as part of my awareness-raising campaign.
“I'm determined to put stuttering into the public domain and normalise it as best as possible for people.
“This video has been seen just short of 100,000 times which is huge for stammering awareness.
“My hope is that all people, but children in particular, can take confidence in the fact that our differences are what make us special and that embracing them is important.
“It took me years to figure that out – I wish I'd seen a video inspiring me to do so back then.”
To watch the video, go to bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06d9d3z.
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