An Eaglesham teacher who overcame a stammer to pursue his career has been given the British Empire Medal.
Adam Black was given the prestigious award for his services to raising awareness of speech impediments and stammering.
He was presented with the medal by Lord-Lieutenant Colonel Peter McCarthy at a ceremony at East Renfrewshire Council Headquarters this week.
The teacher was praised for his use of the media to help others, widely publicising his stutter, to ensure that fellow sufferers – particularly children struggling with the disability – can feel confident.
Adam wants to ensure that those living with a stutter, never give up on their aspirations.
He said: “I am honoured and extremely proud to be presented with a British Empire Medal.
“I am over the moon to be recognised in this way and I hope that I can continue to raise awareness of stammering and encourage others to embrace their stutter for many years to come.”
Adam enrolled on the intensive McGuire programme therapy course in March 2007, which focuses on a different way of breathing when speaking.
This allowed him to get his stutter under control and pursue a teaching career.
And since 2008, Adam has been running a support group for people in similar situations.
There they can share their experiences and work on ways of coping with their disability.
The popular teacher has even started working with BBC’s The Social to produce a short film to normalise stammering and raise further awareness.
And he will begin a new role working in the communication support service at Williamwood High School later this month.
Provost Jim Fletcher said: “I am delighted someone from here, who has helped improve the lives of many young people living with a stammer, has been recognised with the prestigious British Empire Medal.
“Speech fluency affects people from every culture, status and age group and Adam’s work to help others embrace stammering is incredibly vital.”
