For two days in early September, people who stammer will be celebrating personal victories at the British Stammering Association's conference in Stirling, Scotland.

Some of the Association's most committed and motivated members will inspire others to overcome the fear of stammering and show how it can be managed. Among the 150 members at the conference will be George Campbell, a passionate and articulate young man who freed himself from stammering by developing a personal improvement programme that included radio advertising and sales; Howard Yaffe, a graphic artist whose involvement with BSA transformed his life and opened the door to acting; and comedian Jaik Campbell with his stand-up show on stammering, "D-D-D-Don't Mention the Disability", fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe.

There will be opportunities to 'read the News', sessions on inspirational public speaking, workshops for children and parents, and a workshop by Gareth Gates, who will also speak to the whole conference. Conference Chair, councillor Eddie Phillips said: "I am really pleased to have Gareth involved this year, and we hope his example will encourage many others to join BSA and reach their full potential."

With no established cause or 'cure', stammering can be very isolating in a world that needs rapid and fluent communication, and the BSA conference promises to show what can be achieved with determination and support.

British Stammering Association CEO, Norbert Lieckfeldt, said: "What most impresses me about the conference is the self-help spirit and courage of adults and children who stammer, sometimes severely, who are determined not to let it rule their lives. Stammering is different for each person, with many techniques and strategies available for people who stammer, therapists, parents, teachers and families to help each other".

The conference will also highlight the new Scottish Branch of the British Stammering Association. "People in Scotland who stammer can feel particularly isolated," said BSA's Scottish development manager, Jan Anderson.
"Specialist therapy is not widely available and opportunities for mutual support have been sadly lacking. The new Branch of BSA will provide a focus for Scottish support services and alert people to our existence north of the border."

Conference dates: Friday September 3 to Sunday September 5

For more information:
1. BSA members/conference chair for interview:
can be contacted through the main office:
Tel: 020 8983 1003

2. BSA Scotland: Jan Anderson
Tel: 0131 229 8096

Comprehensive website: www.stammering.org        Helpline: 0845 603 2001

Stammering: it affects approximately 740,000 adults and children in the UK population. Four times as many men than women are affected.

Stammering can be most effectively treated at the time of onset, usually from 3-5 years of age.

It is never too late to reduce stammering. Therapy can help at any age.

While the cause of stammering is not fully understood, brain studies point towards an abnormality in speech/motor processing as a possible cause.

BSA campaigns raise awareness of the need to take pre-school children to speech therapy when they begin to stammer. Projects include production of specialist materials for teachers, employers and therapists.

Membership is open to everybody affected by stammering and who want to support our work.

See also:
BSA Scotland