On October 22nd, the world comes together to observe International Stammering Awareness Day, a day dedicated to increasing public understanding of stammering and celebrating the voices of people who stammer. This year's theme, "Shades of Stammering — What's Yours?" highlights the unique experiences of individuals living with stammering. According to the Speech Therapists and Audiologists' Association of Ghana (STAAG), approximately 1 in 100 adults stammer, meaning hundreds of thousands of Ghanaians are affected by the condition.
Stammering is a neurological speech condition characterized by disruptions in speech flow, including repetitions, prolongations, or blocks. It is not caused by nervousness, low intelligence, poor upbringing, or spiritual problems. Dr. Josephine Ohenewa Bampoe, President of STAAG and a Lecturer at the University of Ghana, emphasizes that stammering cannot be cured, but with support from a speech and language therapist, individuals can manage it and communicate with confidence.
The daily emotional burden of stammering is often hidden from public view. Many people who stammer experience anxiety, shame, and low self-esteem, leading some to avoid speaking in various situations, including classrooms, job interviews, and social gatherings. This fear is known as career entrapment, causing gifted individuals to abandon their dreams of pursuing careers in fields like law, teaching, medicine, politics, or broadcasting.
The use of stammering as a punchline in comedy is a sensitive issue. While comedy is a gift, using stammering as a source of humor can be hurtful and cruel. Ghanaian comedians are encouraged to choose material that is respectful and considerate of their audience, particularly children who stammer. By doing so, they can help create a more inclusive and supportive environment.
Teachers and lecturers play a crucial role in creating a supportive learning environment for students who stammer. By giving them time to finish speaking, maintaining eye contact, and listening to their message, educators can help students feel more confident and included. Simple actions, such as patience and understanding, can have a profound impact on a student's life.
The STAAG, in collaboration with the Ghana Stammering Association, is calling on Ghanaians to help build a more inclusive society. The organization encourages individuals to take specific actions, including giving people who stammer time to finish speaking, not finishing their sentences, and speaking up when witnessing others mocking or laughing at stammering. By working together, Ghanaians can create a society where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and succeed.
The ultimate goal is to build a Ghana where no one is held back by how they speak. By promoting awareness, understanding, and inclusivity, Ghanaians can create a society that values and respects every voice, regardless of how it is expressed. As Dr. Bampoe emphasizes, every voice matters, and every shade of stammering counts.
Key points
- Stammering affects hundreds of thousands of Ghanaians, with 1 in 100 adults living with the condition.
- The theme of this year's International Stammering Awareness Day is "Shades of Stammering — What's Yours?"
- The STAAG and Ghana Stammering Association are calling on Ghanaians to promote inclusivity and support for individuals who stammer.
