Tanveer Rameez Ali thought he could never organise a Stammering Open Day. He talks about the fun and challenge of taking it on, and the sense of making a difference.

Tanveer Rameez Ali

I joined BSA in 2004 and attended my first ever conference for people who stammer (PWS) - the 2004 BSA Conference in Stirling. I was excited to meet other PWS like me. More than 100 of them!!! It was a wonderful experience. I started attending other BSA and international events, and giving workshops at some. Realising how wonderful these events are and how much I got out of them, I thought it would be great to organise one myself, especially in London.

In 2004 I also did a 3-day workshop (not aimed at stammering) called the Landmark Forum, which is designed to bring a shift in one's quality of life and address barriers we face. It was an amazing workshop which changed my perception of life and how I look at myself and others. I followed this with Landmark's 'Self-Expression and Leadership Programme', in which the participants dare to do a community project they would love to do, but do not think it is possible for them to do it. A stammering Open Day sounded good. But I had never organised a public event. I had always been a passive participant - going there and enjoying every bit of it, getting inspired but then getting back to my normal safe life. But the whole idea of this workshop was to do something I never thought I could do. "You can only challenge yourself with the unknown," my coach in the programme told me.

I contacted Norbert at the BSA to say I would like to organise a 2006 Open Day in London and asked if they could help fund it. They agreed. Money was limited and after some checking around I settled on Oxford House in Bethnal Green.

The next challenge was to find workshop leaders. I started making a list of people whose workshops I had been to, and asking people I know for their contact number. At each step the thoughts would come, well what if the person is not interested, or too busy etc. I do not like people saying no. I do not want to see myself as that stupid person who made 100 requests and everyone said no. But these are the thoughts that have ruled my life - 'What if I fail?' and no wonder that I fail when this is the thought that dominates me. But what if I succeed??? I started imagining what that will be like. Let me create the future of success in my mind and walk into it. It automatically called me into action to make it happen.

"I realise the only way I can gain confidence is by doing something, rather than waiting for the confidence to come and then do something."

I started calling possible workshop leaders. A few were on holiday, or busy, or found it too far to travel. I felt a bit disheartened. What would make them want to do the workshop? Then I called some others. This time I talked about why I am doing this Open Day, how will it make a difference to people - basically sharing my enthusiasm, passion with them. That was a different world from merely asking people to do something. I got them interested and continued making about 15 calls till I could finally manage 7 or 8 workshops.

Publicity also had to be organised, and we had about 60 people at the Open Day in 2006. It was really great to see the event happening finally. It is now on my list of things I can do. I realise the only way I can gain confidence is by doing something, rather than waiting for the confidence to come and then do something.

It was easier organising the 2008 London Open Day, since I knew better what to do. It was great to see people talking and interacting all day. For some there it's their first time with such a large number of PWS. For some it's the first time they have heard of BSA. The most important thing I get from organising these Open Days is the sense of making a difference to the stammering community I belong to.

I would like to acknowledge Norbert, the BSA staff and Velda Osborne for their support and belief in me without which neither Open Day would have been possible. I would love to see others organising Open Days around the UK and if someone would like to organise such events, please do get in touch with me (tanveerrameez@yahoo.com).

From the Autumn 2008 edition of Speaking Out, page 5.

See also:
London Open Day 2008
London Open Day 2006