Speaker Meeting Barry Rix Subject: Stammering & Stuttering www.starfishproject.co.uk

Today's Speaker was Barry Rix from the Starfish Project. His subject was about Stuttering and Stammering, a condition which is often ridiculed and used by comedians to get a laugh . To the stammered and stutterer this is no laughing matter and is a condition which causes a great deal of suffering in so many ways. We take speaking, like all our senses, for granted and it is only when you have a problem with one or more of them like deafness or blindness that you become aware of the problems. However, Stuttering and stammering is a 'low priority' problem when it comes to getting medical help and advice. 

Barry set us all straight as he took us through the many problems and difficulties faced by sufferers. He delivered his talk with confidence and was able to project his voice in such a way that a microphone was unnecessary for all members present to hear what he had to say. This was all the more impressive when he explained that he had been one such person, and 1 in 10 do, who suffered from a stutter.  

He was helped by the Starfish Project and given the tools and technique to speak without embarrassment and pain.  The work done by this organisation is outstanding and as such Barry is only too pleased to give up a day's work to come and  speak to organisations such as Rotary who have been great supporters of the project  in the past  and indeed  still do.  

Thank you Barry, if you are reading this, for giving us such an informative and amusing talk.  

Story/editorial above supplied by George