Hello, my name is Taliyah Allen and I am so proud to say that I will be representing a charity called STAMMA in a sponsored skydive jump.

This is my little sister Nylah. Nylah has a stammer. This is something she has always had since the day she could talk. This means that her speech can often be disrupted by what is deemed as a “natural flow” of speaking.

Nylah has myself and her sister Anayah and our wonderful parents around her as her family bubble who she feels the most comfortable with. With this, we sit down and give her the time and support she needs to ensure she can speak her mind freely without pressure to “hurry up” and be rushed.

A stammer may vary from person to person. But for Nylah, whatever her emotions are may trigger her stammer to become more apparent. For example, out in public, busy environments which she may feel many feelings such as anxious, overwhelmed and even excited. Along Nylah’s “bubble” giving her everything she needs and more, she has also found ways on her own to help herself. When Nylah’s stammer is more apparent, she becomes more loud and vocal and may break out into song which helps her to say what she wants much quicker. We as a family support Nylah and show her that we can do the same so she feels no different to us.

Over the years, it has come to my attention that people are still not educated on what a stammer is. I have had people give me “looks” and “laughs” when is comes to Nylah speaking. We have had many people before who try to finish off her sentences which also makes her feel more under pressure and stressed and has to start again. It upsets me so much when I have to watch my sister struggle but fills me with anger when I also have people who do not understand and just find it “funny”.

Nylah has an amazing group of friends and family bubble around her who would give her the time and the world she deserves. I know myself, I would put my whole life on hold just to buy her a bag of crisps and then we continue.

Through my sponsored skydive and sharing my sisters story, I hope to raise more awareness for the stammer community and give them the time they deserve like everyone else. I also hope that for the future, more people have knowledge on what a stammer is and how to manage and help children and adults who are affected in day to day life.

I am fundraising for a charity called STAMMA who aid children and adults who are just like my little sister.

Let’s break down these barriers and push for systemic changes in society!!!

For more information visit stamma.org. Helpline: 0808 [phone redacted] (open weekdays 10am-2pm & 4pm-8pm). Reg. Charity No.s 1089967/ SC038866.