[Kerry]

.... if you have a stammer?

My father had a stammer but I saw it as pretty normal. It wasn't pronounced. So (as far as I can recall) people just let him get on with what he was saying. Never interrupted. But I believe many people do interrupt people with stammers' speech?

I worked with someone who had a very serious stammer. Horrible to compare but it was probably worse than Gareth Gates'

If you had a stammer would you like help? People to finish your sentences? (Doubtful is my guess). And what action would you take if you saw someone struggling?

I'm currently watching "The Kids Speech" on the BBC. Hence the thread

[Vicky.]

Someone I drink with has a really bad stammer. I always let him finish as I feel it would be quite patronizing not to really.

However, and this is going to sound really awful, but I get really really frustrated and annoyed(though I dont show it) when it literally takes him about 5 minutes to get a word out, and it takes a lot of self control to not just say the word...as 9 times out of 10 you know what hes trying to say anyways.

[Livia]

I used to deal with someone at work who had a stammer. I'd try not to put pressure on them. I'd never try to finish his sentences like some people would. I don't know how I could have helped apart from trying to be understanding. He was perfectly normal and intelligent, but had a stammer. Some people thought his made him stupid. It must be hard having any kind of affliction because people can generally be so bloody mean and unthinking.

[lostalex]

I think it's endearing. I remember a documentary on American TV about someone who had a surgical procedure to end his stammer, and it was very emotional. I can';t imagine the frustration of not being able to communicate. I think it's very similar to the frustration deaf people must feel.