How the 2002 BSA conference improved my life
By Will Quansah

Having joined BSA early last year, I was anticipating what the conference would be like, and the kind of people I would meet. I was surprised that when I arrived at the conference there were many volunteers in red t-shirts willing to help me. I registered, and went to the talk on job interview skills. I found it very useful. For so many years I have struggled with stammering, especially at interviews. Terry Gillen explained why we stammer more at interviews and what we need to do in such situations. He also gave us a hand-out which I found very useful.

I had the opportunity to meet many BSA members for the first time. I was surprised that most people were very nice to me, everybody was happy and the atmosphere was very friendly. In the debate chaired by Nicholas Parsons, it was interesting to hear the views of the panel and the audience. I was encouraged and motivated by their views.

At lunch I spoke with people who shared their experiences with me. I found many of the workshops I attended after lunch very interesting. I learned how people have coped with stammering and also that our attitude to life can make a big difference - thinking positive and being happy.

The next day there was a wonderful lecture by John Harrison about his personal experience of stammering and how he overcame it. This presentation was excellent, I found his story inspirational and I wish I could get hold of one of his books. Reflecting on my experience of the event, I think the conference was brilliant, the food was excellent and it gave me the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I now know what to expect next year.

Editor's note: John's book 'How to conquer your fears of speaking before people' (reviewed here) is available from the BSA lending library or BSA shop.

From the Spring 2003 edition of Speaking Out