Testimonial
My name is Junior Tereva. I
first heard of the McGuire Program on Australia’s “A Current Affair” TV program
in 1998. Normally the topic of stuttering would cause me to tune out. But for
some reason I stayed and watched this person with a severe stutter being
interviewed before his course began. Watching him struggle was awkward, it was a
strange moment. His ineffective strategies to avoid stuttering resonated with
me.
I felt his shame and
embarrassment having experienced similar secondary behaviors, his long silent
blocks and physical struggles was like looking into a mirror it was upsetting.
And just as I was about to change the television channel, the program moved
forward two days and revealed this same person speaking confidently in front of
hundreds of strangers near the Sydney Opera House. This looked different to any
other treatment I had experienced and had piqued my interest.
All my life I have always
struggled on my name, something so easy that even toddlers could do, yet I found
this simple task so difficult. The frustrating thing about stuttering was most
of the time I was fluent but then my stutter would appear without warning and in
the most critical situations.
I attended my first McGuire
Program course in Brisbane, Australia, October 1999 and this
marked the beginning of my journey. On the program I learnt that stuttering is
not just physical struggles it includes our perceptions of ourselves and others,
it encouraged me to question and challenge my beliefs.
7 years later, stuttering
is no longer a consideration; I have made some profound changes in my life and
have moved further forward than I ever though possible. I understand speech is
just one component, my beliefs, intentions, self image, physical and emotional
states all contributed to my stuttering. I am challenged by the world around me
and enjoy my life more than I thought possible. The McGuire Program gave very
valuable life-tools which allowed me to find my way.
There is a saying that I
like, ‘Without risk there is no adventure’ it is so easy for us to stay within
our comfort zone, doing what we have always done, this program has allowed me to
broaden my comfort zone and enjoy the adventure of life. I am always happy to
speak with people about The McGuire Program or just to chat, you can contact me
at
jtereva@gmail.com I can then give you my contact phone number.
Junior Tereva,
Pennsylvania, USA
www.mcguireprogram.com
