I don't like coffee

It's not unknown for individuals who stammer to buy a particular car only because it is easier to pronounce, spend a lifetime ordering coffee despite longing for tea, even moving house to find an address that rolls more easily off the tongue. But former City Lit student Bob Adams confronted stammering head-on. Now, having overcome destructive 'avoidance' patterns, Bob is walking on glass and eating fire to help others who stammer.

Moving on

Bob first first joined the City Lit on the recommendation of his speech therapist. Attending a group session for stammerers provided an important first step:

"The City Lit provided a secure environment... I realised how deep the problem of stammering can run. Understanding this and letting go has made a momentous difference to my life. Among other things I now run Have Fun Public Speaking workshops, which enable people to be themselves and enjoy speaking - there is more to communication than the ability to talk fluently."

Following the course at The City Lit, Bob set up the Doncaster Stammerers Self Help Group, "one of the most active groups of its kind in the UK." The group provides support to members, but equally campaigns to raise awareness and change perceptions to help all stammerers.

Going from strength to strength

In 1999 Bob was nominated by The City Lit for an Adult Leaners' Award for Outstanding Learning, presented by the Mayor of Camden. He continues to raise funds and awareness for the British Stammering Association - and his next venture is a bungee jump in London...

"Why bungee? Because stammerers need to bounce back!"

Bob runs a variety of workshops from drug education to presentation skills.
Tel: 01302 570 343 Email: bigbadbob-@ic24.net Website: www.sshg.net.

This article appears on our website courtesy of "focal" published by the City Lit, London.

See also: The long drop - a report on Bob's tandem bungee with Simon Zipperlen