My name is Nadim and I am currently studying in London, United Kingdom. I am 19 years old and originally from Lebanon. English is not my first language. So, I asked Coach Javier to help me write this story.
I began stuttering at 6 years old and it has worsened over the past few years. I would avoid participating in class and meeting new people. This had a negative impact on my life, and I knew I couldn’t continue like this forever.
I tried various speech therapy programs but unfortunately, none of them worked for me. All therapists I worked with told me that stuttering is incurable and I have to accept it for the rest of my life. However, my growth mindset refused to accept that there was no solution. Determined to find an answer, I turned to the Internet and began searching for potential cures for stuttering. It was during this search that I discovered Lee Lovett’s book, “Stuttering & Anxiety Self-Cures: Third Edition.”
I immediately ordered the book and started reading it. It was truly a blessing! After I finished reading the book, my speech improved significantly. I was extremely grateful to Lee as he made me believe that stuttering is indeed curable. However, nothing comes easy in life. I knew I needed to work hard to beat Satan Stuttering.
This is when I decided to become a member of WSSA. I started weekly coaching sessions with Javier and attended crutch practice meetings. Within a few weeks, I stopped appearing to be a stutterer; I became a person who stopped stuttering or PWSS.
Of course, my journey is far from over, as the next step involves eliminating fear. As Lee mentioned in his book, it took him 10 years to completely eliminate fear. However, after learning the crutches and practicing daily mind training, I know how to avoid appearing speech disabled. Expanding your comfort zones is key to a stutter-free life. This is why members are encouraged to attend to the group practice sessions and SAM meetings.
The key to overcoming stuttering lies in having an open mind, believing that you can conquer it, and consistently putting in the necessary work. Reading aloud, mind training and using the Crutches and Speech Plans to avoid stuttering.
WSSA offers all the tools you need to become a PWSS, but without your commitment and effort, you will remain where you are. Ultimately, you hold the power to change your thoughts, and your thoughts have the power to change your life. Begin taking action today, and I assure you, you won’t regret it.
Nadim, Lebanon & United Kingdom, June 2023
