There are numerous support networks for people who stammer. Leanne shares her experience with Stand Up To Stammering, a Facebook Group for adults who stammer. This group offers opportunities for individuals to listen to others discussing their experiences and to engage in conversation through video or text interaction. Many Stand Up To Stammering members utilise a costal breathing technique, and several have participated in an Empowering Voices course.
Stand up to Stammering is a community Facebook Group created by two people who stammered in 2020 during COVID times, but thank goodness they did!
Having a community is very important for those members to have a support system of people who understand your challenges, people to talk to in a safe environment, and people who share stories and experiences and create new friends that bring different perspectives. These things can be achieved in person, but just think how much more can be achieved via social media platforms. You don't only get to meet a couple of others locally but also people from across the world experiencing the same condition as you, which helps more people.
Stand up to Stammering has over 900 members, this is not just in the United Kingdom, but it reaches countries across the world - how amazing is that?
Stand up to Stammering wanted to create a safe and inclusive space for those living with a stammer, where they can feel understood and valued and connect with other stammerers. Each week there are three mind over matter challenges set by people that run the group, which are posted and welcome all members to take part if they wish to. It's always very interesting to see and hear other people's perspectives on the topic, as with any community we all have different views and experiences.
Although there are over 900 members, not everyone takes part in the mind over matter challenges. However, you don't have to post a video or interact with the group to benefit from this community; you can use it as a learning tool to try out different ideas in your everyday life. What an amazing opportunity it is to be able to connect with others across the world. They can inspire each other to keep going, feel fear, and do it anyway.
Having a stammer can come with mental health difficulties, and it can be very lonely and isolating to feel like you are alone, most people won't meet someone in person often when feeling like this. So having this community is another way to meet people, feel understood, build on your confidence, and know you're not alone.
From a personal perspective, all of the group members totally inspire me, they inspire me to follow my dreams and make me feel that I can. I am so lucky and thankful to be part of Stand up to Stammering, seeing people grow and improve and understanding their courage every day.
I have made long life friends, and I can honestly say that I am part of a warm, welcoming, Inclusive family. Who matches the values I set for myself, which encourages me and helps me inspire others. My background is supporting those who need it. Despite any barrier that may exist, I will always work hard to meet the needs of those I support.
Stand up to Stammering for me, is exactly that.
Join Stand Up To Stammering by clicking this link.
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