Stammer group hoping for royal boost

ACTOR Colin Firth has scooped a Bafta and a Golden Globe for his role in the blockbuster film The King’s Speech, and is the hot favourite to land the Best Actor award at the Oscars later this month.

Firth’s award-winning performance has attracted huge critical acclaim, bringing to the fore the anguish and heartache caused by stammering.

Oldham man Patrick Traynor knows only too well how that feels, for he too has waged a lifelong battle against a stammer. He spoke to Marina Berry about the film.

Patrick Traynor has applauded award-winning film The King’s Speech for bringing the issue of stammering into the public arena.

Colin Firth gives a stunning performance as a shy man forced to assume the crown on his brother Edward’s abdication.

Terrified at the prospect of speaking in public, he seeks aid from a therapist who uses unconventional but in this case successful methods.

Few stammerers will face such a momentous task, but Patrick says every situation can pose just as big an obstacle to the individual concerned.

“I think the film will prompt people who have a stammer to do something about it,” said Patrick.

His own effort to overcome stammering inspired him to set up a support group which has now been meeting for 10 months but has few members.

“It just hasn’t taken off. It’s really frustrating,” he said. “There are only three of us, and we have done everything we can think of to get other people to come.”

Patrick believes many more people could benefit from the support group, but taking the first step to come forward can seem insurmountable.

“The more pressure you are put under when you stammer, the more difficult it is to speak.

“The King had to speak to millions and millions of people. It was a terrible situation for him and I can’t imagine how awful it must have been for him. It’s a wonder he didn’t have a nervous breakdown.”

Patrick (56) added: “Stammering is a hard one to pin down. You can have good days when speaking is no problem at all, and then other days the stammering kicks in for no reason at all. It is very frustrating.”

The support group meets fortnightly on Tuesdays from 3-4pm.

The next one is on February 22. Venues are subject to change — ring or text Patrick on 07878 944 562 for details.