This is an year old movie, The King’s Speech but I thought I’d blog about it. The movie is based on the true story of King George VI of Britain (the father of Queen Elizabeth II) and his struggle of speech. After his brother Edward VIII abdicates, George (‘Bertie’) reluctantly takes over the throne. However, with his speech impediment that he has had most of his life, he was considered unfit to be king, especially at a time when the country was at the brink of war. George begins his therapy with a speech therapist named Lionel Logue. With various techniques and treatments, and an unlikely friendship, George slowly builds confidence and find his voice in order to deliver a speech that inspired his people.

I’m sure that the film has inspired more people knowing what he had to go through to become the King that he became. The film helps to show that just because you have this speech problem doesn’t mean that you are ‘dumb’. There has been many people in position of power who we’ve adored, admired and looked up to who have had this impediment. Yet, in the media, we often see those who aren’t ‘normal’ to be mocked, teased and looked down upon.

With over 70 million people suffering from this condition worldwide I hope that this film will give encourgement for those who suffer from it, and also help to get rid of that stereotype that they are ‘stupid’. Of course it’s not easy. In the film the speech improvements were apparent in months rather than the years it actually took. The King actually began working with Lionel Logue ten years before the abdication crisis.

I don’t suffer from speech impediment, but can relate to the overall frustration, anger, sadness, and going through treatments to help you ‘function’ better. Sometimes you feel a bit silly doing little exercises that are suppose to help you. You wonder ‘Why do I have to do this? No one else is! Everyone can do (whatever the challenge is) without ever thinking! Why must I suffer? Why must I spend hours and hours with therapy so that I can do what everyone else can do without effort?’ But try to focus on the positive side. If you are seeing improvements, praise them, and know that you can get better!

It will take time, but don’t give up!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_King%27s_Speech

More info on stuttering: http://www.metrolic.com/children-who-stutter-praise-new-kings-speech-159824/