Saturday 14th May 2011 saw 4 members (a block of stammerers?) from the Doncaster Stammering Association self help group cruise over to Leeds for the Open Day of the new Stammering Support Centre there in Chapeltown. An ideal opportunity to support the event, and to meet friends both old and new. Bob had also been invited in order to warmly welcome people/warmly frighten people (delete as appropriate) with an outdoor fire show plus other activities indoors.... little did they know!
Once parked up in the rear car park (remember this - the rear car park), they were made more than welcome by Dr Trudy Stewart and her trusty team. Refreshments were had and the grand tour commenced. The use of colour both inside and outside the building was commented upon - very nice. Lots of well equipped rooms - if only all SLT departments were so well provided for.
As the doors officially opened Bob started the fire show - ensuring that visitors realised they were at the launch of something very special. It also gave the Bob the opportunity to meet, after 20 years, Mike from Leeds. A man who had inspired him all those years ago when the Doncaster group first visited the Leeds group - great!
Truly inter-generational
Kate, Trev and Jamie (the other DSA members) mixed and chatted with all and sundry and then entered the conference room to hear many interesting personal stories. Well done to all who spoke - very interesting and inspiring. Meanwhile circus skills were being passed on in the informal Spinstix Skill Share sessions in the main body of the building. Truly inter-generational, it was wonderful to see people develop confidence and skills in such a short space of time. Everyone developing their communication skills through the arts. Much laughter was generated - in fact so much was generated that the group were asked to re-locate! Back in the conference room, and the penultimate speaker was Bob, who entertained err... stunned the crowd, by including bare foot glass walking in his presentation. (Remember "do NOT try this at home - or even at a friends!") Cherry Hughes, the BSA Education Officer, rounded things off, and linked in to Bob's piece by emphasising that we all can achieve more than we think we can.
The day came to an end, but the excitement was not yet over. The DSA posse headed over the road for a well earned coffee - checking with security that they would be ok parked in the rear car park. "No problem - the doors will be locked, you can use the side gate". The group returned to find that even the side gates were locked and everyone had gone home. This was an excellent opportunity to practise using the 'phone (many, many, many times) and talking with authority figures (NB the police officer was very friendly and helpful). However, in the end the group had to call upon the services of a specialist - a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist (thanks Hilary, you're our hero!) who managed to track down a key holder who was happy to release 'The Doncaster Four'.
Yes, a truly exciting day!
2011 is The Year of Communication
Speech and Language Therapy Transforms Lives
Spread the word!
From the Summer 2011 issue of Speaking Out, page 17.
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