Launching ‘Stammering Therapy from the Inside’
9th May 2013 at City Lit and the House of Commons
Over 120 people who stammer and speech and language therapists gathered at City Lit for a day of talks relating to some of the key themes from the book. Trudy Stewart kicked off with an inspiring personal analysis of the therapeutic relationship using the metaphor of a bridge to depict key variables that influence the unique structure and form of each alliance as well as the qualities that both architects (the client and therapist) bring to the construction process. St John Harris followed with a thought-provoking and eloquent exploration of the social model of disability using the film ‘The King’s Speech’ and his own experience of stammering and therapy to illustrate (click here to read). Finally, Carolyn Desforges and Richard Seals concluded the morning with a passionate demonstration of the value of therapist/client collaboration in maintaining a specialist stammering service within the current NHS.
After lunch, Carolyn Cheasman briefly spoke about the genesis of the book and some of her own personal highs and lows during the editorial process; and I was able to pay tribute to the many therapists and clients, both present and absent, who have influenced my professional development, fuelled my interest in stammering and inspired my philosophy of therapy. Next, the Right Honourable Ed Balls, who contributed to a chapter in the book, gave a candid and humorous account of his experience of therapy and the process of ‘coming out’ as a person who stammers in the public eye. A personal reflection by Willie Botterill followed, highlighting the key influences that have shaped her approach to therapy and career. Finally Katy Bailey brought the talks to a close with a frank exploration of some of the challenges and intrinsic contradictions of stammering therapy that aims to promote fluency and acceptance of stammering (click here to read). Following Walt Manning’s summing up, this inspiring day ended with a reception at the House of Commons to launch both the book and the Employers Stammering Network.
Here are some photographic highlights:
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Myself, Dan Durling, Ed Balls and Jan Logan celebrating our co-authorship of the chapter on 1:1 therapy at City Lit
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Co-editors Carolyn Cheasman, Rachel Everard and myself with City Lit Principal and Chief Executive, Mark Malcomson at the House of Commons
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What a truly momentous day! Sam |
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The House of Commons at dusk
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