Lee Levitt has suffered with a stammer his entire life. The 35-year-old feels that speech disorders are largely overlooked and rarely get the recognition they need.

But he believes that the blockbuster film The King's Speech, which has been nominated for 14 BAFTA's, could change that by raising awareness for the condition.

The film tells the true story of King George VI, who underwent controversial therapy to correct his stammer.

"Increasing awareness is so important for us," said Lee. "If we feel our listener knows what is going on rather than just looking puzzled while someone struggles this can help.
"The film also shows that a stammer shouldn't hold you back in life. Although he was a reluctant king he took on the role really successfully and so I hear, all his speeches were live and never recorded."

Lee, who owns the Maidenhead Glass Centre on Powney Road, developed a stammer as soon as he could talk but it gradually got worse as he entered his teens and early 20s.

Since 2002, Lee has been receiving the same stammer treatment as pop star Gareth Gates through the not-for-profit McGuire Programme. It delivers practical training developed to promote recovery from stuttering and uses some techniques similar to those in the film.

"I would encourage anyone who has a stammer and they feel its holding them back in life to join the McGuire programme. It can make a real difference."