0:00:08 > 0:00:11I always wanted to be a performer.
0:00:11 > 0:00:16And although I was lucky enough to embark upon my dream career,
0:00:16 > 0:00:18not everything was easy.
0:00:18 > 0:00:23- I have a stammer. I'm finding it hard...- That's fine.- Take it easy.
0:00:23 > 0:00:24Just relax.
0:00:24 > 0:00:28My name is...
0:00:30 > 0:00:31Come on!
0:00:31 > 0:00:33Just take your time.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37..Gareth Gates.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42Singing came naturally to me. Speaking didn't.
0:00:42 > 0:00:47For me, ten years ago, standing on this stage, and trying to even
0:00:47 > 0:00:52say a few words, let alone perform, would have been inconceivable.
0:00:52 > 0:00:53From the age of four,
0:00:53 > 0:00:57I've struggled with a debilitating stammer.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00It plagued me at school, it affected my self-confidence,
0:01:00 > 0:01:03I couldn't be the person that I wanted to be.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07So I know only too well what it's like to struggle
0:01:07 > 0:01:10with a stammer every moment of every day.
0:01:12 > 0:01:1731-year-old Heidi has had a severe stammer all of her life.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20She stammers on one in three syllables.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25I suppose to speak
0:01:25 > 0:01:31feels tiring.
0:01:32 > 0:01:33Growing up,
0:01:33 > 0:01:37Heidi's stammer has always made her feel like an outsider.
0:01:38 > 0:01:45Every time I
0:01:45 > 0:01:52came back to school I cried.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58Determined her speech difficulties would not hold her back,
0:01:58 > 0:02:02Heidi excelled academically, gaining a first-class degree.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06But when she began to pursue her chosen career as a psychologist,
0:02:06 > 0:02:08she was told she may never be accepted
0:02:08 > 0:02:10in the job with her stammer.
0:02:13 > 0:02:18To be told the stammer
0:02:18 > 0:02:24would stop me
0:02:24 > 0:02:29leading the life
0:02:29 > 0:02:34that I wanted to
0:02:34 > 0:02:41was heartbreaking.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47Stammering is often a misunderstood condition.
0:02:47 > 0:02:52It's a neurological disorder that's not caused by being nervous,
0:02:52 > 0:02:54anxious or shy.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58However, a stammer can seriously disrupt
0:02:58 > 0:03:00all areas of a person's life,
0:03:00 > 0:03:04and that's why I'm supporting the British Stammering Association,
0:03:04 > 0:03:09the UK's national charity that works to support both adults and children
0:03:09 > 0:03:11who are affected by stammering.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16This is four-year-old Zachary.
0:03:16 > 0:03:1918 months ago he was like any other happy little boy.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25Then almost overnight, his mum, Maria, noticed a change in him.
0:03:26 > 0:03:31He started to have trouble with beginning his sentences.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33There'd just be this long pause
0:03:33 > 0:03:38and his whole body would tense and he was unable to get the word out.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41HE CHATTERS
0:03:41 > 0:03:43Then he started to get distressed by it
0:03:43 > 0:03:45and he'd start to try and say something,
0:03:45 > 0:03:48then he'd put his head in his hands and say,
0:03:48 > 0:03:50"My words won't come. I can't talk any more."
0:03:52 > 0:03:55It was so hard to see him that distressed
0:03:55 > 0:03:59and to not know what to do to help him.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02As Zachary's stammer got worse
0:04:02 > 0:04:05Maria worried how he would cope in the future.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08He became quite introverted,
0:04:08 > 0:04:10didn't want to interact with other children.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12He would stand by me
0:04:12 > 0:04:15and wouldn't answer any questions if anybody chatted to him.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19I felt it might affect his whole school life.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25Fortunately, there is a charity that can help people like Zachary.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28The British Stammering Association
0:04:28 > 0:04:34offers relief and support to prevent the negative effects of stammering.
0:04:34 > 0:04:39They provide unique information, advice and support services
0:04:39 > 0:04:42to those who often have nowhere else to turn.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44Good evening, everybody.
0:04:44 > 0:04:49Also known as the BSA, the British Stammering Association
0:04:49 > 0:04:53supports many services, like this Stammering Support Centre in Leeds.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55If I can just explain...
0:04:55 > 0:04:59Dr Trudy Stewart is the director of the centre.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03Here at the Stammering Support Centre, we aim for each individual
0:05:03 > 0:05:08to be able to say what they want to say, when they want to say it.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10..friends...
0:05:10 > 0:05:15As well as working with patients on a one-to-one basis,
0:05:15 > 0:05:18the centre runs group courses and self-help activities for all ages.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20..I was 11...
0:05:20 > 0:05:23'The teenagers are working on self-esteem
0:05:23 > 0:05:26'and confidence in their communication skills.'
0:05:26 > 0:05:28Friday is...
0:05:28 > 0:05:32For adults, it might be about reducing their avoidance,
0:05:32 > 0:05:37'getting them less sensitive to their stammering.'
0:05:37 > 0:05:38Well, as yet, I've been...
0:05:38 > 0:05:43The groups help individuals speak in challenging situations
0:05:43 > 0:05:46and manage their stammer effectively.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48'You have the support'
0:05:48 > 0:05:51of the other members of the group
0:05:51 > 0:05:55so you get a sense of the problem being normalised.
0:05:55 > 0:06:00It's just not my problem but it's one that other people have too.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05From social and support groups,
0:06:05 > 0:06:11advice on therapies, to guidance on employment issues,
0:06:11 > 0:06:14the BSA provide a range of vital services
0:06:14 > 0:06:17for adults and their families.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19They do as much as they can to enable everyone
0:06:19 > 0:06:23who is affected by a stammer to get the most out of life.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30The BSA helped Heidi through her studies, giving her guidance
0:06:30 > 0:06:33and support when she needed it the most.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35She has now fulfilled her ambition
0:06:35 > 0:06:38and is working as a clinical psychologist.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42The support
0:06:42 > 0:06:47that they gave me
0:06:47 > 0:06:53changed my life,
0:06:53 > 0:06:58Because now I'm doing
0:06:58 > 0:07:03a job that I love.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07With intervention through speech and language therapy
0:07:07 > 0:07:11before the age of five, children who stammer
0:07:11 > 0:07:14have the best possible chance of recovering normal fluent speech.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- I think it's a Gruffalo. - You think it's a Gruffalo!
0:07:17 > 0:07:21And that's exactly how the BSA helped Zachary.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24People who meet him for the first time now
0:07:24 > 0:07:26say they would never be able to tell that he was a stammerer.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- The penguin!- The penguin.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32'He'll chat away to people quite happily.'
0:07:32 > 0:07:34I saved that again, didn't I?
0:07:34 > 0:07:37And he's back to the happy, confident little boy
0:07:37 > 0:07:38that we had before.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41With your help, the British Stammering Association
0:07:41 > 0:07:45can make a real difference to the lives of adults
0:07:45 > 0:07:48and children who stammer throughout the UK,
0:07:48 > 0:07:53and ensure that everyone affected can get the support that they need.
0:07:53 > 0:07:59Please go to the website, where you can donate.
0:07:59 > 0:08:05If you don't have access to the internet, then call.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08And if you can't get through, please keep trying.
0:08:08 > 0:08:14You can also donate £10 by texting.
0:08:14 > 0:08:19Texts cost £10 plus your standard network message charge
0:08:19 > 0:08:22and the whole £10 goes to the British Stammering Association.
0:08:22 > 0:08:28Full terms and conditions can be found at bbc.co.uk/lifeline.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31Telephone calls are free from most landlines.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35Some networks and mobile operators will charge for these calls.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37Or if you'd like to post a donation,
0:08:37 > 0:08:41please make your cheque payable to The British Stammering Association
0:08:41 > 0:08:45and send it to: Freepost, BBC Lifeline Appeal,
0:08:45 > 0:08:47writing "The British Stammering Association"
0:08:47 > 0:08:49on the back of the envelope.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52Remember, if you're a UK taxpayer,
0:08:52 > 0:08:56the charity can collect Gift Aid on your donation, worth another 25%.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00Just send in a note to say you want your donation
0:09:00 > 0:09:03to be subject to Gift Aid, and include the date,
0:09:03 > 0:09:05your full name and address.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07Thank you.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd