From the age of five, Georgia Scott was hindered by a severe stammer, which even prevented her from speaking to her own family.
She was unable to order food in restaurants, terrified to talk on the phone, and afraid to ask for help in class.
Her dreams of going to university were stalled by her stammer, and Georgia explains that she felt self-hate, shame and disappointment due to her speech.
But now the 22-year-old from Cullercoats has graduated with a degree in international business management and credits speech therapy course, the McGuire Programme, for changing her life.
Georgia said: “My life had hit rock bottom and I didn’t think I was going to go anywhere. I joined the McGuire Programme to keep my mam happy, but it turned out to be the best thing I ever did.”
In a remarkable four day transformation, Georgia started the programme barely able to tell someone where she lived.
But in less than one week, she was able to stand in front of a crowd and confidently give a speech to around 50 people in Manchester city centre.
She adds: “It was really scary at first, but I managed to get up and talk about how the course has helped me and the response from people was really positive.”
Using a technique known as costal breathing, also used by politicians and opera singers, Georgia is now able to control her speech and has noticed an incredible change.
She explains that her story has even moved strangers to tears.
Georgia adds: “I went to buy make-up at the counter one day and when I told the girls about my speech they burst into tears. They couldn’t believe my story.”
With her new found confidence and control over her speech, Georgia has been to interviews and completed presentations at university.
And with a mission to help others who live with a stammer, she has returned to the McGuire Programme as a speech coach and is an inspiration to others.
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NHS statistics suggest that one in 12 young children experience stammering, however two thirds will grow out of their stammer.
In adulthood, it is estimated that stammering affects one in 100 people, with men being around three to four times more likely to stammer than women.
The McGuire Programme is an international intense speech therapy course that is founded and led people who suffer from a stammer.
Georgia said: “Being a speech coach for the McGuire Programme so rewarding and inspiring and I love seeing the difference it makes.”
