Eaglesham teacher Adam Black recognised with British Empire Medal

This honour was presented to Adam Black at a ceremony at East Renfrewshire Council Headquarters in Giffnock today (Monday 12 August) by Lord-Lieutenant Colonel Peter McCarthy.

The teacher from Eaglesham uses the power of the media to help others, widely publicising his stutter to ensure that fellow sufferers, and particularly children with the disability, can feel confident and never give up on their aspirations.

Adam enrolled on the intensive McGuire programme therapy course in March 2007, which focuses on a different way of breathing when speaking, which allowed him to get his stutter under control and pursue a teaching career.

Since 2008, Adam has been running a support group where people in similar situations can share their experiences and work on ways of coping with their disability, and has recently worked with BBC’s The Social to produce a short film to normalise stammering and raise further awareness.

Provost Jim Fletcher said: “I am delighted that an East Renfrewshire resident who has helped improve the lives of many young people living with a stammer has been recognised with the prestigious British Empire Medal. Speech fluency affects people from every culture, status and age group and Adam’s work to help others embrace stammering is incredibly vital.”

Lord-Lieutenant, Colonel Peter McCarthy said: “I am pleased to be here today to present Adam with his British Empire Medal on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen. About seventy million people across the world suffer with stammering and Adam has worked tirelessly over the last decade to campaign for equality for those living with a stammer, and a British Empire Medal is a hugely fitting honour for him to receive.”

Adam Black said: “I am honoured and extremely proud to be presented with a British Empire Medal. I am over the moon to be recognised in this way and I hope that I can continue to raise awareness of stammering and encourage others to embrace their stutter for many years to come.”

Adam who previously taught at Eastmuir Primary School in Glasgow will begin a new role working in the Communication Support Service within Williamwood High School later this month.