The DDDDDawn: Inaugural of Mangalore SHG

A small but strong beginning of TISA Mangalore Self Help Group was initiated on July 23^rd, 2017. A meeting was held in the Library Hall of the Retreat House – Jeppu. The meeting was attended by five members. Two SLPs also dropped in initially and encouraged us on the initiative.

The meeting commenced with an introduction of the members. Each participant paired up with another, learnt more about each other, and introduced their partner to the house. The process helped the members know more about each other and was the first step in the ensuing friendship of a lifetime! The members also spoke about themselves and their experiences as pws.

The meeting then moved on to voluntary stammering and the thought process behind it as one of the technique of gaining control over stammering. Each member picked a sentence from the lot and practiced voluntary stammering.

1. My name is ……………. I am from ……………. My phone number is ………I work/study at …………………… and my hobbies are …………………………
2. I am special because I………………
3. I love my parents because……………
4. For me, the most important thing in life is……………. Because, ……………
5. I worry about stammering because ……………………
6. I do not worry about stammering because …………….
7. My biggest strength is ……………… because…………
8. My dream is ………………………………
9. Today is special because………………….
10. If I was PM for a day, the first thing I will do is …………………………………

The session focused on using voluntary stammering as a means of loosening the frightening grip of stammering. It helped in the subsequent acceptance of stammering.

After a break, an activity for self-realization was conducted. Each participant was asked to write three strengths they possess and three weaknesses. Each participant then came up to speak about their strengths and their achievements. The same was listed on the board. The result was a summary of strengths possessed by each member. It helped the members realize that they all are far more than their stammering. The participants were then asked to pick their most negative point from the list and share it with their co-participant. Each person then paired up with another person, switched problems and commented on “their” problem as they would like an outsider to comment on their problem. This activity aimed at self-confirming the solutions for our problems.

The technique of bouncing and prolongation was then adapted and practices. The next activity was impromptu speaking. Reference images were shared with members and they made up stories describing events that lead to the situation picturized in the photo and about what is expected to happen next. It was fun activity bringing out a lot of energy and laughter. The participants were asked to use the techniques of voluntary stammering, bouncing, and prolongation while describing the stories. The reference images are presented below.

A video recording session was then carried out to analyse the secondary behaviours. Each participant paired up and spent time conversing and recording their co-participants and followed it up by analysing the videos.  The final activity of the day was to speak about the participants worst experiences with stammering. It was an optional activity, in which few members participated experienced a sense of liberation.

The members were then asked to set a target for themselves. Each member promised to perform a task which they were avoiding due to stammering. The targets will be reviewed in the next meeting.

Mr Bharath, Reporter from Vijayavani, a local newspaper, participated in the event. TISA extends its gratitude to Mr Bharath. A big shout out to our senior mentor Mr Ivan Saldanha for the inspiration that he is! TISA Mangalore SHG is grateful to Mr Saldanha for all his support and encouragement. TISA Mangalore SHG also expressed its gratitude to Rev. Fr Melvin Pinto for his generosity in allowing us the use of the Library Hall for the purpose and the care and affection he displayed towards the cause.

That’s it for now folks!!!

Meeting again on August 19^th.

Will keep you posted!

Cheers!

Binu KG.

Coordinator

TISA Mangalore SHG