After all the dust is settled, we are left with one question: What helps a stammerer to change his communication? What helps in recovery, assuming that “cure” is an unrealistic goal at the moment? What can help this process most? Most of us have often wondered and here is the outcome of a poll, conducted by TISA.

121 people participated and most of them, we assume were adult Indians who stammered and visiting TISA website.

Courage to come out of comfort zone and Lasting Commitment to change scored highest- 34% and 25% respectively. This is not surprising. We all know that any substantial change or skill acquisition demands both the qualities: imagine trying to learn French or Tamil, swimming, Bharat Natyam or Judo at the age of 30 yrs. First fear, you will need to conquer would be about “losing face” (What would my friends and colleagues say if I fail? How will they react? Etc.). “Fear of failing” will ensure that we never even start, leave alone persisting with it.

Second obstacle would be wavering commitment over the long period needed for success: you will be coming along fine at the swimming pool and suddenly there will be a disruption: a family or job commitment will crop up. You have to go out for a few days. On return, re-starting your training at swimming pool will be even more difficult than starting it was in the first place.

Why? Because the mind will say- okay, you have been learning it for two months- you have learned how to float; you know swimming enough for your needs; In any case you don’t live near a river- you will never need to save your life by swimming. Why not start those dancing classes, you have been wanting to, for last many months?

You will postpone swimming for a few more days after return and finally forget all about it. One day, rummaging through your wardrobe, you will pick up an old pair of swimming trunks and you will say: What the heck, is it doing here? And you will toss it to one side!

Courage and Commitment are rare qualities and you develop them by practicing a little of these very qualities in small things in everyday life: Take the courage to attend the PTA meeting in your child’s school; Honor the commitment you gave your child to spend a Saturday afternoon with her, unreservedly. Build up from “small” things.

Finally, why would you need “courage” and “commitment” to change- if you are happy getting along, as you do now? Yes, why should you change if things are okay? Why dig well when it is raining all over? So, essentially, unless we have not had enough of our stammering, there will be no inner desire to change and no therapy or technique will help. Have you ever stopped to take stock of our life and consider this question: Have I had enough?

…Okay, have the courage to take our next poll!