Nothing can stop me now I can control stammer
AYEAR ago, Jessica Davies was a shy girl who found it hard to speak. Fast forward 12 months, and she’s now running a successful wedding photography and makeup business, working with international brands.
And it’s all because a TV show changed her life.
Earlier this year the 25-year-old, from Beddau, took part in School for Stammerers, an ITV show that helped people from across the UK learn to speak.
She and five other people with a stammer went through a four-day intensive course called The McGuire Programme.
The intensive and emotionallycharged residential course is run by former stammerers, using physical and psychological techniques. It has already transformed the lives of many – including popstar Gareth Gates.
Over a four-day intensive course running from 7am to 10pm each day, the students could talk to no one but their coaches. They could have no contact with their loved ones. Within 48 hours they’re forced to talk to complete strangers using the techniques they’ve learnt.
Before the show, Jessica couldn’t even say her own name.
When it finished it gave her a new lease of life.
“In January I quit my job at H&M and went self-employed as a wedding photographer and, because I do YouTube and Instagram, now I’m also a freelance make-up artist,” she said.
“When I decided to set up my Instagram and YouTube, I could be myself and the person I’ve wanted to be. The only reason I had a job in retail is because I couldn’t speak.
“At first, I was really anxious and nervous. But, with the support of family and friends, I had the confidence to do it.
“It was the best choice I’ve ever made. I have a career doing what I love.”
Now her photography businesses , South Studio & Craft and Jessica Robyn Photography, and makeup company, Jessica Robyn Makeup, are booming.
“The photography is going really well,” Jessica said. “When I first meet the couples the first thing I do is a disclosure – so I tell the couple I have a stammer.
“At the wedding I just have to use my techniques, so breath control, so I can control my stammer.
“I have a few weddings booked in for the rest of the year. Next year I’ve also got quite a few, and even weddings booked in for 2020.
“Before I started doing the make-up, I remember I watched YouTube tutorials.
“I decided to make my YouTube channel and decided to go into make-up and my Instagram went crazy.
“That’s when brands started to recognise me. I was invited to an event with L’Oreal and they invited me on a trip to Margate. I’ve also worked with Glamglow, and had my posts shared by Nyx and Anastacia Beverly Hills.
“I’ve had people messaging me asking if I could do their make-up – all because I can speak to people and I have the confidence to do it now. Since then, it’s been crazy.
“In the future I hope to work with more brands. One day I also want to bring out my own eyeshadow palette. I also want to own my own shop.
“At the moment I have a fiveyear plan and hopefully within that I’ll be able to do that.
“The person that I was a year ago was shy, didn’t speak to many people and set my stammer to rule my life.
“I think when I did the course, and the moment I cried to Lisa and I couldn’t speak to other people and she told me that I can do it was my breaking point.
“It was a brick wall that I needed to break down. I think from that my confidence has just gone through the roof. Nothing can stop me.”