Stammering Cure in India

- Chellamuthu Kuppusamy

I have no hesitation in admitting that I am a stammerer. Of course, there is a no denying that it is an impediment, embarrassment and a block in freely mixing up with people. It is a like serving a prison sentence for a crime someone did not commit. Very recently it has dawned on me that it is curable and it is gradually getting overcome.

Everyone of us might have come across a person, be it a friend, classmate, colleague, neighbor, known contact or a popular person,  who stammers. Many people think that it is a disease. Some suggest to take medication to get rid of it. If you know anyone who is suffering from this speech impediment, just tell him or her that it no a disease or disorder.

Indian movies always ridicule stammerer, next only to transgender. If you stammer – don’t worry. You are not alone. It is estimated that almost 1 % of the population has this problem. Mostly men have this problem – men account for 80% stammerers.

Here are some famous personalities who stammered.

Actress Marilyn Monroe, British emperor King George VI and Prime Minister Winston Churchill who led UK during second world war, film star Hrithik Roshan, first communist Chief Minister E. M. S. Namboodiripad, US president Theodore Roosevelt, Charles Darwin who presented evolution theory, great English writer Somerset Maugham, scientist Isaac Newton, French emperor Napoleon, Greek philosopher Aristotle

Stammering usually occurs when speech muscles and organs become stiff. This happens when the person becomes tensed and filled with anxiety. You might observe that the same person who stammers would sing flawlessly. Usually stammerer are fast thinkers. Their speech system does not match up their speed in thought process . They think very fast and try to deliver it at the same pace.

Stammering is after all a bad habit strongly programmed in mind. The happy news is, habits can be learnt and unlearnt – with effort and consistent focus and self direction. 

If you are looking for stammering cure, here are some suggestions to overcome stammering

• Talk slowing – reduce the speed
• Do slow reading practice
• Never user techniques to hide your problem (such using alternate words, giving a pause)
• Always say your name while speaking on the phone
• Hum a song or try to drink a glass of water when you are tensed
• Take a deep breath before talking
• Try to listen to your voice while speaking
• Ask your friends and family members to stop you whenever your speed increases or you talk tensed

These are only a few suggestions. Most important is to develop a self direction that you can overcome this problem. You may also join some stammering cure center, where all these therapies are conducted. Please approach The Indian Stammering Association(TISA) for any further information.

A similar post in Tamil at www.tamil.chellamuthu.com