K-H aged 13 female

How did you overcome your fear of speaking?

I still have some fear about speaking – perhaps that is what it means to have had a stammer. I still much prefer writing to talking, to this day. But I’ve found that forcing myself to do things that I’m scared of, like public speaking or going on the radio or using a telephone, can really help. Sometimes, I’ve had to push myself through the fear of doing things like that; when you come out the other side, it feels as if you’ve climbed a mountain.

 How did you grow out of the need to keep your stammer secret?

 It was the brilliant speech therapist who helped me a decade or so ago. She said to me, ‘What’s so bad about stammering? Don’t be ashamed if it happens. Just look the person in the eye and say, “I have a stammer.” If they have a problem with it, it’s their problem, not yours.’ It was excellent advice and I still use that line sometimes, if I find myself in difficulties.