Sufferer now supports others
the whole school. I of course couldn’t get my words out and everyone was just laughing at me.”
He then became an expert at hiding his stammer moving on in life but avoiding difficult situations where he felt under pressure, avoiding eye contact with people and letting others speak for him.
At his wedding to wife, Anne, he was unable to say his vows, instead concentrating on getting two simple words out: “I do”.
But finding out about the McGuire Programme – which provides support internationally – was a turning point.
Iain went on: “The programme took away my fear of speaking, gave me the confidence to go out.
“Previously, I had always let my wife do the talking for me without even realising I was doing it.
“There is no “cure” as such for a stammer – it’s not a disease – but you can learn techniques to manage it.
“In 2007, I became a coach having to sit rigorous exams to learn the techniques and how to teach them to others. The programme works by changing the psychology of a stammer and also how you breath.
“I remember being with Kelly Brown on his first course with the McGuire Programme and we kept talking. He was increasingly in the limelight through playing with Saracens and Scotland. I then remember seeing him interviewed as Scotland captain and the change was incredible. He was totally in control of his speech.”
Iain also wants to tackle the wider public’s understanding of stammering.
He continued: “I was told about a stammerer who went in to a wellknown coffee shop who ask for your name when you order. Unable to get their name out the girl behind the counter started laughing at them.
“To be fair, this is the exception but there are a number of simple things you can do to help someone with a stammer– the main thing being giving them the time to get the words out, not interrupting them or finishing their sentences.”
Many stammerers feel isolated and Iain is keen to stress there is help our there.
He said: “For a long time I was ashamed of myself and many people with a stammer think they are the only one who struggles.
“But there is help out there, the McGuire Programme has delivered amazing results but if it’s not for you there are other programmes – just give them a try and see what works for you.”
The McGuire Programme will hold an open day in Edinburgh Central Library at 2pm on October 26 for anyone who wants to see what it involves with a course in the Stirling Highland Hotel from November 6 until November 10.