Sandra Stewart

Sandra Stewart, who died on January 5th, was a BSA member from Aberdeen who attended her first BSA conference in Leeds in 2003. Sandra left the Leeds conference with the distinct intention of spreading the word to the Highland region and did everything in her power to make a success of the Grampian Stammering Self Help Group. She was described by Ludo Thierry, local speech and language therapist in Aberdeen, as "a force of nature", "a tornado of energy", who transmitted her warmth and enthusiasm to others "like a benign virus".

Sandra was an immensely practical person. She was part of the organising committee for the Stirling conference in 2004, characteristically rolling her sleeves up and getting on with the many tasks involved in registration and supporting delegates of all ages at this large and extremely successful event.

She was on the inaugural BSA Scotland Steering Committee, 2004-2005, and was elected Vice Convenor in the first BSA Scotland elections, holding this role for two years (2005-2007). She was proposed as BSA Scotland Convenor in the autumn 2007 but felt unable to take up the role at this time for health reasons. She expressed hope that she might assume this office at some future time, on recovering her health. It is a great loss that this will never come to pass - she would have made a very good job of it.

Sandra's bubbliness and sense of humour brought a sparkle to BSA Scotland events and meetings. She always attended, despite a very busy working life - sometimes travelling to an all day meeting in Edinburgh after working a night shift in Aberdeen! She was very active on our events committee and attended all of our Open Days, co-ordinating the Aberdeen event and playing a hands on role at Birnam, Dundee and Inverness. She thrived on the peace and tranquility at the Knoydart 'summer social' weekend in 2006.

She was admired and held in great affection by all of the BSA Scotland Committee, as summed up by Frank Geoghegan-Quinn, who writes, "she was a warm, bubbly, fun-loving person who never had a smile far from her face. She lived life with optimism, vigour and zest and never seemed to let the frustrations of living with a stammer get her down. Her boundless enthusiasm was infectious and it was always a joy to be in her company." BSA member, John Derks adds, "she leaves with me memories of a wonderful dynamic human being who was an inspiration to us all. She will be sadly missed."

This is a fuller version of an article in the Spring 2008 issue of 'Speaking Out', page 15