Star name was key to coping with stammer
Councillor reveals speaking strategies
A Stirling councillor went by an entirely different name at school as he couldn’t say his own because of his stammer.
But now Alasdair Tollemache hopes to encourage others with speech difficulties not to give up on their dreams – and for those without to help with patience and understanding.
The Green councillor for Dunblane and Bridge of Allan once struggled so much that he used the name of a top sportsman to help himself.
However, while he still has difficulties with his speech, he has gone on to have a successful career and a full life, including involvement in the community.
Having been elected to Stirling Council in 2017, he also regularly speaks in the most public of forums.
“Living with a stammer has made my life both interesting and challenging,” said Alasdair. “Anything from asking for a drink in a pub for my girlfriend (she often got the wrong drink when I couldn’t ask for the one she wanted) to using the phone.
“This is still not easy for me as people can be very impatient, but once I get going I’m fine.
“Meetings can still be interesting when we have the traditional introductions and, well, I can’t change my name.
“However, at school I called myself Fred Stolle, an Australian tennis player because it was easier for me to say than Alasdair Tollemache, and my friends went along with this.”
Alasdair has lived in the Stirling area for nearly 40 years, both in rural and urban communities. He has worked in both the public and third sectors in jobs which have included water treatment, waste disposal and recycling, setting up and running the bicycle re-use project Recykea-bike, and recently leading a team supporting charities. He enjoys cycling and walking and has completed many long-distances bicycle rides for charity and in particular completed a 1000 miles ride through Europe.
Alasdair added: “I have had high and lows with my stammer and now want to encourage others to speak about their experiences. For a long time I felt professionals expected fluency from me and this put more pressure on my speech.
“I feel the two vital ingredients to living with my stammer are support from others and not letting it restrict what you do. The support is vital to be able to achieve things in anything we do.
“What I have found helps me is, firstly, patience. Life is run at such a fast pace we don’t give each other time. Let’s all slow down and listen and give each other time to speak. Please don’t finish my sentence for me.
“Secondly, and this perhaps applies to other conditions as well, we are all unique with something to contribute, so treat me with respect and let’s all offer each other support.
“Many people who stammer find speech and language therapy helpful. The services in NHS Forth Valley provide a variety of support to children, young people and their families as well as to adults who stammer, including self help information on the NHS Forth Valley website and speech and language therapy Facebook page.
“Many of the roles I have had have involved public speaking, especially standing for election,” he added. “I have learned not to be concerned about people’s reaction to my stammer and would encourage anyone, especially young people, not to restrict themselves and go for their dreams.”
A stammer has made my life both interesting and challenging