SpeechEasy recipient proud of donation

31-3-2009

SpeechEasy recipient proud of donation,

Published: March 12, 2009 10:09 am
By Heather Cowart/The Leeds News

This year’s recipient for the SpeechEasy device is Greg Williams of Birmingham. The funds raised from the 2008 Toby Banks Golf Tournament went towards the purchase of this device, which is used to help the speech of a person with a severe stutter.

For the past seven years, the Toby Banks Golf Tournament has been held at the beginning of the summer to raise enough Earline money to purchase a device for a deserving candidate, like Williams. Banks, the mother of the man the foundation was named for, said that Williams was a wonderful person to receive the SpeechEasy device because he had such a severe stuttering problem. Williams said that he first heard about the device when his landlord told him about the foundation and suggested that he look into In it.

October, he found out that he would be getting the SpeechEasy device, and he received it on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

“When it first went in, After having the it was different and I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. device for a week, Williams said that he could already tell a big difference and “I feel that as time goes on he was looking forward to it really helping him. “With the and I get used to the device, it will get even better,” he said. device, I have learned to take my time and not talk fast…It has helped a lot.”

The SpeechEasy device is based on bioback, in which the person with a stuttering disorder does not usually stutter when they are speaking with other This device gives the person the impression of speaking with other people. people by repeating what they are saying in their ear, which helps to prevent the stutter.

The device usually costs about $4,700, and each year, the foundation has raised at least that much. Banks said that the golf tournament has always had great participation from the community, and without the help of the people of Leeds and surrounding areas, it would not be possible.

Williams added that he is looking forward to continuing to overcome the hesitation that he used to have with speaking to people, especially “Now I am more comfortable starting up his teenage daughter and his co-workers. a conversation when before I would avoid the situation,” he said.

“It’s great to know that we are helping someone improve their quality of life…It makes it worthwhile,” Banks said.

“I am really happy to have the device,” Williams said, adding that he would like to thank everyone involved, including Earline and Toby Banks, as well as Deborah Boswell, who is a speech therapist with Professional Speech Services.

The 2009 Toby Banks Golf Tournament will be held June 22 at the Trussville Country Club.