ISA Day - ‘Caint gan Eagla’ - Talk Without Fear

Irish Stammering Association had a successful day for members on Saturday 17th April, held in the Kilmainham Hilton Hotel in Dublin. Stephen Greene delivered his first address as ISA Chairman. Thanking the outgoing Chair Patrick Kelly and his committee for the work they had carried out in previous years, Stephen showed ISA’s new Vision Mission and Values, outlining the direction the organisation will follow. We’ll be introducing these to the website in coming weeks.

Inspiring presentations on the topic of talking without fear from ISA members Michael O’Shea and Michael Ryan followed a light-hearted quiz by Jonathon Linklater and Veronica Lynch. Stephen Paterson presented on how the internet can be used to the benefit of people who stammer. ISAYiT! ISA’s Youth Theatre Company performed a range of skits and songs to entertain the masses. Talking and performing without fear is coming naturally to this talented bunch of performers led by Gaiety School of Acting Voice Coach Cathal Quinn.

ISAYiT also helped launch a new video explaining what it’s like to have a stammer. This video will be available online soon and is designed to raise awareness of stammering within schools in Ireland. More details on this exciting project to follow soon.

The young people didn’t stop there, with a new branch of Young ISA being established to allow young people who stammer to hang out and have fun. Having a stammer need not hold anyone back – and clearly doesn’t with a few of the loud voices we heard on Saturday! Young ISA will be going bowling over the summer so if you are a young person who stammers or know someone who is, please get in touch with us.

At the close of a successful event ISA’s Chair Stephen Greene said “there was a very positive nature to the day and I was very encouraged for the future of the ISA. By working together, we can nurture an environment where people can talk freely without fear of judgement of how they talk. Instead, people can concentrate on what they are saying, rather than the way they are saying it.”

Check our website soon for a full read of ISA’s Vision Mission and Values and to watch our new video.