It’s estimated that stammering affects around 1 in 100 adults, with men being around three to four times more likely to stammer than women.

Michael Andrews, 33, who works in our Patient Transport Service, developed a stammer at the age of four.

Michael said, “Having a stammer massively impacts my day-to-day life as I need to speak to different people on a regular basis. For example, just simply asking for directions, asking for a coffee or even doing my job is difficult. As an ambulance care assistant, I have to speak to people everyday from speaking to patients, staff, nurses on hospital wards and even contacting control via the telephone is difficult.”

Michael joined the service in 2016 and tells us about the adjustments that have been made to support him. “The trust has helped me with my stammer by accepting my reasonable adjustment request to work with the same co-worker on a permanent basis. This helps me with my stammer as I don’t feel the constant pressure to introduce myself to different people every week. It’s difficult enough just doing the job and working with another person every week only adds to that pressure.”

Michael advocates for stammer awareness and is part of our Disability Network.  He says, “It’s important to realise that having a stammer is a recognised disability. To anyone who has a speech impediment, you shouldn’t let it stop you from achieving what you want and going for jobs or doing things you really dream of doing. If I can do it, then so can you.”