List of a few Swar Sudhar Society Members with their description of Journey to Fluency

Deepika: There was a time when I was hesitant to speak to strangers, There was a time when I wanted to open up and express myself in a group but couldn't, there was a time when even the idea of giving a speech was not less than a nightmare for me, there was time when I tried hiding my stammering problem, but no (after joining this speech Centre) the life of mine has taken a new turn, NEW TURN! What is this new turn? The new turn for me is not only a positive change in my speech but gaining a positive attitude towards life and wiping off negative thoughts from mind, which is very important not just to improve on one's speech but living a good, happy and a satisfactory life.
After joining this Centre I realized that I was working not only on my speech but also enhancing communication skills which definitely boost up the confidence level, which in today's world is a necessity. The Centre has taught us to accept things the way they are, to face the reality and to admit our fear without loosing positive attitude. Best part of the STUTTERING THERAPY is Saturday's GROUP THERAPY at ADLAKHAS. It’s obvious that when the Person is in group the motivation level is higher, so in group therapy many people facing the same problem get together and share their views and experiences. They give each other supportive and helping hand to a great extent, which is providing success to everyone joining this institute. Remember, to achieve success is not just motivation that's required but hard work and continuous practice is essential as there's no substitute for hard work . Practice makes the man perfect.

Gaurav Khandelwal: Gaurav is a person who has lots of dreams and ambitions. Who has the dream to come in limelight of the corporate world? Who has thoughts like "High living, High Thinking" and he is ready to work hard for it. Determination to reach to the Zenith is his mission. But only one thing that is creating hurdles in his path is his speech, his communication skills, his STAMMERING. Unable to express his views and opinions to the public scares him as hell. He believes in one thing "If you have seen dreams, then make it true". So to make his dreams come true, he decided to improve upon his communication skills and to make his speech his biggest asset and he will do it anyhow. Few lines read somewhere keeps him motivating towards his goal.  

I ' M SURE

There are lots of queries
But I have to leave all worries,
I know I can't fly
But still I have to go high.

I am in search of my eternal soul
In order to achieve my goal,
For the future to be bright
I have to work all night.

There will be no loss only gain
This suffering is for a short span,
Because my thoughts are pure
My time will come I'm sure.

Praveen Walia: I was born as a very sensitive child and was the second child in the family. Easily offended and was a bit of introvert. Being a front runner in every aspect of life, be it sports or studies, sometimes I used to feel that somewhere I was lacking something which was suppressing my personality.  

What was that something?  

That was my fear of speech block (my stutter). I was fighting to overcome that fear, desperately wanting to get rid off this bad habit. Most of the time, I was disappointed. I came to know that a specialist can help me to overcome this but, who could be my guide? My mentor who knows my problem, well, met with one psychiatrist with the help of a family friend, who told me that it’s a psychological disorder and needs medication. My mind warned me that this was not the solution I wanted. Something logically appropriate has to be worked out. At last in April 2004 I met Dr. Sajiv Adlakha who guided me and explained in detail the program for the better speech. At the initial stages, the speech exercises taught to me were something which I had to do but as time passed I felt that these have become a part of my life, giving me a moral boost because I could feel the change in me while interacting with people at home and outside. Before joining the therapy program, I used to hit and try at every encounter without armed with any weapon (but mind you, not weapons of mass destruction). If passed I used to pat myself and if failed, which was quite often, I used to console myself. But now, the case is quite different. I have set new parameters for improvement. The quality of risk taking i.e. entering into communicative situations has improved and margin of error is reduced to almost nil. Now if all of a sudden somebody says that I have to address a gathering or to say something, the exposure through the psycho group therapies helps me to maintain my mental equilibrium. The silence which used to pinch me earlier is gone now and I just enjoy the pauses as well as the speech.
I will be very honest in admitting that I follow the therapy program religiously keep reminding myself that my sub conscience mind has to be told that I feel no block while talking. After joining the speech therapy my horizons are extended beyond limits. So sky is the limit for me.

Shivani: I started stammering at the age of 3-4.I never use to make friends easily and always use to run from such situations where specifically my speech was concerned. I never use to communicate with my teachers & in class I never use to ask questions regarding my subject matters. Most common problem was reading in front of whole class. I never took part in sports. Especially when attendance was taken I could never say "Present Mam" & always use to insist my friend to say it for me. If I was told to go to market to get some stuff I use to crib a lot...saying I have a bad stomachache or headache.  I tried to avoid situation as much as I could.

I considered my speech as a hindrance in my life & I felt helpless about it.  

I never knew that stammering word ever existed. My sister use to stammer through her I picked up stammering. Everyone use to laugh as I was small & none of them realized that I was picking up these habits. Everyone thought I was too small & these habits will go it. But the destruction was done I picked up & started stammering at every word. In the beginning I never felt anything wrong about it but gradually as the time passed I started keeping myself aloof from others. Started avoiding situations where my speech was to be used. Stopped making friends as people use to laugh when I introduce myself. SO I thought its better not to talk to anyone.  

In school if I had any doubts related to my subject I would ask my friends rather than my teacher.

It went on & on till the time I came in 12th standard. My grandfather read about Adlakha Sir in one of the newspaper. And my Dad thought about meeting him & talking about my speech problem. When I met Sir I was stammering so much that I couldn’t even utter a single word not even my name. Sir gave me that confidence "Nothing is Impossible" u can get rid of this habits & don’t take it as a problem....it’s a bad habits which will go if only you want it to go. Thus I found the place where I actually found my true self....after joining speech therapy I had that confidence to talk to people I forgot what others might think about my speech. One thing was there in my mind "BIG DEAL" if someone laughs let them laughs.  

If you have confidence in yourself to make it, then no one can stop you from doing it.

"BELIEVE IN YOURSELF". With good amount of hard work put in by Sir and Mam on me made me confident enough to go for interviews, make friends & express my self.

One advice to all the parents doesn’t ignore it....with right kind of guidance it can help the child to overcome speech disorder. It’s not a disease but a habit with implementation of exercises it can be overcome.  

Now I don't regret what I had in past. But I’m happy what I have in my present & what I can make my future...." A BRIGHT and LIVELY ONE".

Rohit Kishore Gupta :

Last night i.e. 25th June I was going through my diary and suddenly remembered the entire incident about joining Swar Sudhar Society(Dr.ADLAKHAS SPEECH CLINIC in DELHI,INDIA). So, I thought to share with you, 'some' of them have heard this incident a lot of times from my mouth, but I do believe there are 'some' left who are still unaware.

For members who don't know about me, the introduction starts with " I am Rohit Kishore Gupta" (MAGIC WORDS) . I am currently settled in Melbourne Australia working as a Jr. Database Administrator with Synchronized Software. My journey to fluency started on 7th March 2004 when my parents forcefully took me for an appointment with Dr. Adlakha. I was reluctant for the appointment but Mummy forced me to come. The reason being is my past experiences with doctors had always been a nightmare, right from reading a book in front of a mirror or tasting your Mama's thumb on Wednesday or eating green food on Wednesday or putting some lolly in my mouth while speaking or nani ke badam(GRAND MOM’S Almonds) or speak as if you are singing....Uffff. ..Bhagwaan Bachaaye Aise Doctors se...(GOD SAVE FROM SUCH DOCTORS).The list is never ending...

During the first meeting Sir analyzed my problem and asked me to come from 12th March onwards. I left the clinic and till the time I reached my home, the argument with my Mom was already heated up and it came to an extent where kasame started. Then I agreed that I will go on 12th and if I like it then I will continue, otherwise I will leave. Then the penultimate day arrive 12th March 2004 , I woke up with the same feeling, just one more sitting with an Doctor and then again mummy will start looking for some other. I know that she had already taken one more appointment at Batra Hospital , so just adding few jerks onto my list of doctors. I arrived at the clinic with -ve ATTITUDE. Sir, started with a brief introduction and then I suddenly asked him "DO I have to read books in front of mirror?" This is the question which I asked to all the doctors to whom I have been to and the answer had always been "YES" and in the back of my mind I was sure that he will say "YES" and that would be my last class or final moment with that doctor if they answer yes to these questions. But I was shocked to hear he said "NO". I replied "What?" Then he replied "No, you don't have to read books in front of mirror.” This was the turning point and I thought if this doctor is not asking me to read books then he must be different, but I was still not sure... Sir, told me about the therapy and most important thing "A DIARY" and few other tips and then he asked me to come tomorrow i.e. 13th March 2004 it was Saturday and he told me about GT and mentioned to me that he usually don't ask people to join GT from the very first day but after couple of weeks. So if you want to come then you can come. When I left the clinic, I got a call from my mom and she asked me, how was the first meeting. "Is he good?” I said "Don't know! He asked me to come tomorrow." So my mom asked me “Are you going tomorrow or not?”. I was thinking what to say as my mind was saying "NO, NO, NO" and for the first time my heart said...”Toone Itne doctor try kare...isko bhee try kar le...aur waise bhee kuch to alag hain...Mirror ke saamne book padhne ko nahin kaha".(You have tried so many doctors.. So what try this one also.. He is different.He has not said to read book in front of the mirror.) I told my mom, I will decide during the day and will tell you later. My mom asked me are you going tomorrow or not, I said haven't decided as yet. I think it’s a miracle that on 13th March I woke and left for the GT. The first GT session was a bit horrifying but it was enough to develop interest in me. Aur phir kya GT ka karvaan chalta chalta...(In this way I attended so many GROUP THERAPYS) But still I don't know what happened in the first Meeting which forced my steps, my heart to move towards Dr. Adlakha. But before saying thanks to sir, I thank my mom first who actually forced me by her kasme vaade, pyar mohbaat, tactics to attend the first meeting and then Adlakha Sir who changed my direction my personality. ....Now, I am bindaas(CAREFREE) kind of a person... Frankly speaking I did the hard work for first two years, I mean exercises, reading, ROS attending GT regularly and the result was felt by everyone. Now, I am not regular with the exercises but I still read few pages of MY DIARY every single night (I am not bluffing, I have made it as a habit.) On my diary I have also pasted a picture given to me by Adlakha sir, which was my FIRST GROUP THERAPY(GT) AT SWAR SUDHAR SOCIETY. Now, my schedule is such hectic that I am not regular at mails but I will try my best to be regular, because I still remember I used to pinch every member of SSS to write mails and now I am just like them. I want to conclude by saying just doing exercises or writing diaries wont make any effect until you don't have faith in you and in Adlakha Sir and if you are able to establish faith then don't worry leave it on Sir. Now, I am following the steps provided by Sir, and at per this point I am not facing any issues with my speech, I am feeling pretty much confident. In meetings, I don't hesitate to speak as I show confidence which I acquired through my speech. I am planning to come to India by the end of this year or early next year. So hoping to attend quite a lot of G.T.'s.

Tarun Puri: I started stammering from the age of 3 years when one day, my elder brother came back from school and imitated one of his friends who used to stammer. From that day onwards I could not speak fluently. My parents thought that this habit of stammering will get healed of its own if I was not made conscious of my Stammering. But when they saw that there wasn't any improvement they decided to consult a speech therapist in AIIMS while we were on a vacation to Delhi. At that time I was 10 years old and did not know much about the problem I had. I undertook therapy for 7 days and could not continue as we had to go back after the vacation to Shillong. In Shillong I continued with the exercises suggested by the doctor at AIIMS and there was some improvement in my speech, but I discontinued them after a year. After finishing my class 8 from Shillong we shifted to Delhi and I did the rest of my schooling from Delhi after which I did my graduation from IIT Delhi in the field of Mechanical Engineering. It was in IIT that I realized that I have to somehow get rid of this habit of stammering that had plagued my life for such a long time. I again tried therapy in AIIMS but did not avail much benefit out of it. When I was in the third year of my graduation studies I became very conscious of my stammering as I had realized that it might create a problem for me in the campus interviews that were to be conducted next year but I did not do much about it. In my final year of graduation studies I did apply for campus interviews and succeeded in getting a job at two companies. It was after this that I realized that now once and for all I should get rid of my habit of Stammering, as I am going to work for a private company where it may be a hindrance in my growth. I got in contact with a classmate of mine, Shobhan Aggarwal and he advised me to join Adlakha Speech Therapy. I joined the Centre on February 27 and within two months there was a substantial improvement in my speech. Now nearly after four months of therapy my speech has witnessed a tremendous improvement and although blocks do occur occasionally some time, but I don't consider them to be a hindrance in my path. I also do not face any problem in the company in which I am working due to my speech. This has also boosted my self-confidence to a great extent. The credit for all this improvement in my Speech and also my increased self confidence definitely goes to my friend Shobhan, who showed me the right therapist and to Dr. Adlakha (my Speech Therapist) who showed me the right path.

Vivek Sharma: I took speech therapy at Adlakha Speech & Hearing Clinic after completing my graduation from S.R.C.C. I am 21 years old. I first started speech therapy in Kathmandu in the year 1996. There was slight improvement in my speech when I was in regular touch with the therapist but Stammering was still there. After that I came to Delhi after getting admission in Sri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi. In 1st + 2nd year of my college I did not care much about my speech but when I was in final year, I was very much tense due to my Stammering problem. I started surfing net and got the address of Adlakha Speech & Hearing Clinic from the website.
I took an appointment for initial consultation in which apparent and psychological analysis was done. My problem was analyzed from all the angles and explained the remedial measures. I started speech Therapy with Mrs. Seema Adlakha and Dr. Sajiv Adlakha from 19th June. Before joining, I was very much tensed about my speech. If any one talked about my speech, I felt very uneasy. I used to avoid talking on phones and meeting new people.  

But after therapy my confidence level has increased quite a lot. I started taking interest while talking on phone and meeting friends. Now after 8 months of therapy I am doing my practice regularly and will continue it. Dr. Sajiv Adlakha has not only helped me in my speech, but also in my personality. Before therapy I was very worried about my Speech. I used to think that Stammering is very bad to be talked about and discussed about, now it is opposite. I myself grab the opportunity to talk in the group. Earlier friends used to say Vivek is a good listener but now I am known for more talking and a good communicator.I have come to the conclusion that one has to submit himself fully so that different ideas can come in Positive change will follow. I have understood now that success is a journey not a destination.  

Thanks to Adlakha's Saturday Self Help Group in building my confidence.