In May 2005 I attended a three Day Speech Therapy course with the Starfish Project which is a non – profit making organisation that helps people who stammer.
During those three days, amongst other things, I was taught a breathing technique that helps me to control my stammer. It will not make my stammer go away but it gives me control over something that has controlled me since I was a young boy.
Many congratulations to to Thien Trang Nguyen Phan our District 91 International Speech Champion who is through to the final of the 2016 World Championship of Public Speaking!! (having won her semi-final)
pictured here: Jean Gamester, Thien, Pedro Casillas, Vanessa King
What’s going on this month,
Have you been FED?
As Toastmasters we communicate mainly by speaking, but that is not the only way. In our District there are plenty of budding writers, from club blogs to Facebook posts.
By Tia Atanasova
Why did I join Toastmasters?
I ha
ve always had a very lively, energetic, social personality. I absolutely love being around people! But as a child growing up with stammer, it was hard for me to find my voice. Engaging an audience, no matter how big or small, was a deep rooted fear. On the one hand, it made me a good listener. But on the other hand, it was holding me back from what I wanted – to be a strong and eloquent speaker. Not being able to express my thoughts, I spent a sufficient amount of time reading, mostly classic Russian novels, Ancient Greek literature and philosophical essays. I ended up having so much to say, but at the same time so little confidence to stand up and do it.