Top teacher who found his voice hopes others will, too
AN UPCOMING television documentary has hit close to home for an Eaglesham man.
Adam Black, a stammer sufferer who found his voice to become a teacher, can’t wait to watch School for Stammerers and hopes other viewers will tune in too.
He said: “I think the documentary is a great idea. Stammering is only prominent in one per cent of the population and documentaries like this help raise awareness for the 99%. It can only be a good thing.”
The one-off production will follow the emotional journey of six individuals as they attempt to achieve the one thing that could change their lives – control of their stammer. As well as teacher Adam, a lorry driver, pharmacist, professional photographer and two schoolboys will be shown undergoing the McGuire Programme – which aims to transform their speech.
The McGuire Programme is an intensive and emotionally-charged residential course run by former stam- merers. The course uses physical and psychological techniques and can lead to life-changing results.
Adam, who turned his life around using the programme, said: “It deals with both the physical and psychological aspects of stammering and 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.
“I’ve been involved with the McGuire Programme for 11 years and love going back to help others. Advice is a form of nostalgia and I like to pass on any hints or tips that have helped me along the way.
“The McGuire Programme is all about a community of support and it tries to leave egos at the door. We are all here with the same issue and will work together to tackle that.”
The 28-year-old found it tough growing up with a stammer as he felt he couldn’t be who he really was.
He said: “It shaped my choices based on if I thought I could communicate or not. I wouldn’t answer questions in class as I was afraid of stammering, I wouldn’t approach new people or introduce myself at parties. It is known as a hidden disability as people don’t see all these negative feelings associated with stammering.”
Years of speech therapy and elocution lessons did little to help his stammer – 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.
Now a teacher at Eastmuir Primary in Balornock, he said: “My message to people or children with stammers or other conditions would be to embrace your quirk as it makes you who you are.
“The sooner I did that, I started to love my life.”