Page 30 - QARANC Vol 15 No 1 2017

28 QARANC THE GAZETTE
Defence Stammering Network Presentation
26 October 2016, Raffaelli Theatre, DMS Whittington
The Defence Stammering Network (DSN) and British Stammering Association (BSA) visited DMS Whittington on the 26 October 2016 to deliver a presentation that was to enhance our own awareness of stammering, and the roles of the Network and Association. The presentation began with an introduction from the Naval Equality and Diversity Officer Lt Cmdr Lawton-Roberts. This was followed by a formal welcome speech from Surgeon General Chief of Staff Captain Hill RN, who openly supported the Defence Stammering Network and commended the work of the newly formed group to support serving military and Ministry of Defence personnel.
The BSA Chief Executive Officer
Norbert Lieckfeldt, accompanied by BSA Helen Carpenter, made an informative scientific presentation explaining to the members of staff and phase 2 recruits the Employers Stammering Network, the statistical evidence of stammering, its psychological and physical effects and the supportive tools and networks which are now available.
Capt Jimmy Lang MBE RAMC, and Co-Founder of the DSN, discussed the formation of the DSN and his own personal experiences of the British military before the implementation of supportive E&D framework in the modern British Army. A career spanning more than 20 years, he has risen through the ranks and not let his speech impediment restrict his career potential.
After this I was invited to make a short verbal presentation. I explained to the audience my own personal experiences of having a stammer in the military, transferring to Nursing from the Army reserves, the supportive work of the DSN and of the Department of Healthcare Education staff. The staff were impressed with my talk and wished me all the best with my future career in nursing.
The presentation reinforced to military and Ministry of Defence personnel that their true career potential need not be restricted if they have a speech impediment. We encourage all Equality and Diversity Officers within QARANC to join the DSN on social media and through Defence Gateway to enhance the support available.
Private Collier DHE
Student Nurse Pte Collier, QARANC, with Walter Scott, co-chair of the Defence Stammering Network and Assistant Head of the Defence Reform Unit