Adam Black hosts online event for International Stammering Awareness Day

Adam Black, who was awarded the British Empire Medal for his services to raising awareness of stammering last year, has organised a Zoom event this evening (Thursday) and is asking people to join in.

He explained: “I would normally host an event at a hotel but given the circumstances, I’ve moved it online. I’m asking people to join in on the Zoom platform and recite a poem, dialogue from a movie, a play or read a passage from a novel – anything that is an expression of our speech. They can act it out and have fun with it.”

Adam struggled to speak as a child and teenager due to his stammer.

“I didn’t really notice that I had any difficulty until I was around eight-years-old,” He said. “Growing up with a stutter was really tough and I struggled through school. Even though I knew the answers in class, I never spoke out. I couldn’t say what I wanted to.”

In 2007 Adam used the same life-changing McGuire Programme as Gareth Gates and Educating Yorkshire’s Musharaf Asgha.

“There isn’t a cure for stammering, but programmes like the McGuire help you overcome it and deal with it a bit better,” he continued.

“It taught me how to control my stutter and be happy with it. I learned breathing techniques to help manage it as best I could and help build my confidence.”

He continued: “I think people have a better understanding of those with a stammer. I think some people were embarrassed when others stammered when they spoke and didn’t quite know how to react but now I think there’s less of an issue now.”

Anyone interested in joining in the Zoom event this eveing at 7.30pm can contact Adam on Twitter @adam_black23 and he will send an invite.

For further information on International Stammering Awareness Day, click here