Debbie speaks out for stutterers

Debbie Appleby, aged 32, has suffered from a stutter since she was 13 years old, and has struggled to cope with it almost all her adult life.

She was too scared to use the phone, go to a job interview, make an appointment for the doctor or dentist, or ask for anything in a shop.

She couldn't even call out her nephew's name in the schoolyard. "It just broke my heart," she said.

Then eight months ago she decided "enough was enough" and sought help.

Self-hate

The dictionary definition of a stutter, or stammer, is to speak in such a way that the rhythm is interrupted by repetitions, blocks or spasms, or prolongations of sounds or syllables, sometimes accompanied by contortions of the face and body.

In reality, Debbie says it causes stress, frustration and self-hate: "Self-hate because when you can't have a normal conversation, you think 'I'm a freak', but you're just a normal person with a stutter."

Debbie learnt to cope with her condition by getting help from the McGuire Programme, made famous by the Pop Idol singer Gareth Gates, who also stutters, and is now a coach at the centre.

New life

The programme teaches stutterers how to perform costal breathing, which involves taking a deep breath before starting a sentence, thereby giving yourself time to formulate the words.

Life is now very different for Debbie and she is enjoying it. "I can do the little things that people take for granted," she said.

It's changed her work life, her social life, pretty much everything Wayne Appleby

Debbie now uses the phone all the time, she's not afraid to talk to people and she no longer gets frustrated and upset.

She puts her new lease of life down to the McGuire Programme and pushing herself every day to do things "outside her comfort zone".

Debbie has spoken over the PA system at Sainsbury's, done two interviews for BBC Radio Shropshire and is planning to do a talk in her step-daughter's school to raise awareness of the condition.

Costal breathing has helped Debbie deal with her stammer

Caitlin, aged 11, has noticed the change in her step-mum, "Before, she couldn't speak as well as she does now... she used to get my dad to do all the phone calls, but now she does them."

Husband Wayne has also seen a new side to Debbie: "She's got lots more confidence... she's a lot bubblier, she's going out and meeting new people... it's changed her work life, her social life, pretty much everything."

Raise awareness

It is estimated that about 2,000 people, approximately 1% of the population of Shropshire, have a stutter, according to the McGuire Programme.

As part of International Stuttering Awareness Day, Debbie wants to raise awareness of the condition. She said, "Put yourself in their shoes, imagine what every day, every minute must be like, struggling to have a conversation with your family."