Over the weekend we went to see The King's Speech. It tells the true story of a man with a speech impediment, the Duke of York, who became King on the abdication of his brother, Edward VIII. Apart from telling the fascinating story of the abdication - and it is only recently that we have come to terms with the real danger that Edward and Wallace Simpson posed - we see the steps taken by the new King to overcome his speech impediment.
I found the film particularly personal because it was a bit of a "there but for the grace of God go I" moment.
People without a speech problem don't understand how debilitating it can be. It places you at a real disadvantage, especially as a child. I well remember being mocked at school for my slight stammer and strange pronunciation of words. I never got any of the big parts in the nativity play! When it came to reading I remember the teachers moved quickly on to the other children. Not surprising, there were 48 of us in a baby boomer class.
A few years ago I spoke at quite a prestigious event and a woman approached me at the end. She wanted to know if I had had any treatment. I was a bit puzzled. She explained she was a speech therapist. "You have obviously had to overcome some speech problems", she said, and wanted to know how I did it.
I suspect the real answer it that whilst I was mocked at school I was never mocked at home. Something which comes out in the film as being an important factor. Nor was I mocked at Sunday School. In fact I remember the teachers encouraging me to read the Bible out loud, very important for the Plymouth Brethren saints who taught us. I still don't think we make enough of how important a Sunday School can be in supplementing general education.
Over the years the sheer desire to express ideas (and sometimes my reluctance to comply with Matthew 5:39) saw the worse consequences disappear. But what had led the speech therapist to ask whether I had previously had problems?
When I speak, especially in public I choose my words very carefully. But that I don't mean that I speak with precision and legalism. I just avoid certain words. I rarely use "oil", "world" (always a problem when reciting John 3:16!) or "prejudice". I can write the words, but can't say them. So I talk about the earth, petroleum or bigotry.
Which brings me back to the film. Speech problems can be very damaging and those with them need our support, understanding and sympathy. But not our pity nor ridicule. We also have to believe, as they must, that because they have difficulty speaking, it doesn't mean that what they say is of little value.
One dear Labour Party friend, Larry Walters with cerebal palsy had stammer and was a wonderful writer. Using his pen and a typewriter he became a brilliant engineer and campaigner for disability rights. His biography is moving and even mentions the time I argued with Labour Party high command when they attempted to prevent him addressing party conference.
