My stammer started from as long as I can remember to be honest, It was just noticeably bad at age 8. I didn’t start talking until I was about 4/5.

I fell out of my baby walker when I was about a year old, this damaged part of my skull. Although not noted, it may have also damaged that part of my brain (front right side), which controls speech etc. I have also got dyspraxia, so the stammer was something that came along with that I suppose. Things that make it get worse, are definitely stress and nerves. If I’m not confident in a conversation or im particularly nervous about something, thats when stammer shows the most.

I used to dread answering the phone, and ordering things. I remember my sisters asked me to walk up and get them fish and chips, but I came back with nothing as when I got in there I just couldn’t get my words out to order anything.

The frustration I feel makes me feel really alone. Its so intense, and half the time I feel I can’t join in with conversation as I feel people are judging me or try and talk for me when my stammer begins. I might have a joke to tell or something to say but I just keep it to myself so I don’t have the awkwardness of people looking at me, so it can be quite lonely.

At the Michael Palin centre, they taught me a variety of breathing techniques. I was also with other people my kind of age who stammer so it boosted my confidence knowing I wasn’t the only one going through it, and could actually be with people who I relate to. They gave us all confidence to not be ashamed. They also made us write all of our feelings down, which helped open up about my stammer. We also had to go and talk to people in the general public, and ask where things were in shops etc. This made us come completely out of our comfort zones but showed us to embrace our stammer and definitely gave us the confidence to do so.

Meeting Michael Palin was amazing, it was quite a life changing experience to meet the man thats set up the centre which I would say has changed my life. He was so lovely, and so inspirational. He really understands how difficult stammering is, due to his father also suffering. Its given me so much more confidence after meeting him, I also feel a sense of achievement and im just really proud of myself. I was obviously so nervous to interview him, and as mentioned before, nerves massively effect my stammer. But, it went so well which has made me feel really good.

I’m so happy to be apart of a wonderful fundraising event after my successful documentary ‘My Stammer is Me’. the event will be held on the 29th of October too the 4th of November. I want to raise as much money as i can for a wonderful centre that has change my life for the better.