Pakistan Stammering Association

Support Group Meetings - What are they?

Several countries around the world have established associations to give persons who stammer a voice. Some examples are the British Stammering Association (BSA), International Stuttering Association (ISA), National Stuttering Association of USA (NSA) and Indian Stuttering Association. Similarly, that is the goal of the Pakistan Stammering Association. Support Group meetings are opportunities for persons who stammer to meet other people, who completely understand what it is like to live with a stammer. Not only that, but together we can motivate, encourage and support each other to be the best we can possibly be. As persons who stammer, we tend to hold back and take a back seat on many fronts, but there is absolutely no reason to. We can make our stammer a limitation for us, but it surely doesn't have to be a limiting factor. We can say, do and be anything we desire.

As persons who stammer, we hold on to many fears about speaking - be it a particular, sound, word or situation. The only way to overcome those fears is to say or do that exact feared sound, word or situation as much as possible. The support group meeting will be a place to discuss these fears, and think of innovative ways to overcome them. At a support group meeting, we talk, talk, talk! One thing to be conscious of, however, is to give everybody a chance to talk. Everyone is different. Some may be more assertive, some shy and introverted. Whoever the person, let's be very conscious of giving everyone an equal opportunity to speak. Being a group of persons who stammer, there is nobody to interrupt you, finish your sentences for you or to show a grimmace when you block. We understand! You should know, that it is nothing to be ashamed of. As long as you're working towards being better than you were yesterday, you have everything to be proud of!

A support group meeting evolves with the people who attend it. It can be catered to the groups' desires. The only thing that it is not, is speech therapy. None of us are qualified speech therapists to hold therapy sessions. Of course, we will be inviting speech therapists to certain support group sessions. However, we won't have a therapist attending every meeting. Most meetings will simply have persons who stammer. We share tips, we advise based on our own experiences and we move forward together. It is also a place where we will distribute well known articles and documents about stuttering, so that we can educate ourselves and others about what it is all about.

Please join the Pakistan Stammering Association. It is very simple. Just contact us and we'll keep you posted. Be aware that there is no membership fee. PSA is open for all persons who stammers in Pakistan.