A WOMAN who feared that a stammer could prevent her pursuing a longed-for career in nursing has landed her dream job.

Bethany Watson has begun work as a registered nurse on Ward 13 at Airedale Hospital.

The 21-year-old had received help from the Steeton hospital's speech and language therapy team to deal with her stammer.

"I was worried my speech impediment would hold me back at university and unsure whether I could still do the job I'd always wanted to do – be a nurse – as you have to talk clearly in an emergency," said Bethany, from Sutton.

"I used to find it a bit of a challenge using the phone, but I do it all the time now at work without even thinking about it.

"The staff are all very nice and that makes a difference.

"It's all about how you feel about stammering.

"My stammer will always be there but the difference is I have people I can talk to about it.

"I never see it in a negative way and I won't let it stop me succeeding in whatever I want to do."

Bethany sought help from the speech and language therapy service at various points in her life to help her cope with changes – when she was seven for a few years, as a teenage pupil at South Craven School in Cross Hills preparing for university and then again when she was applying for nursing jobs.

Stephanie Burgess, speech and language therapist at Airedale Hospital, talked through situations with Bethany that she may encounter and they drew-up strategies to help her deal with them.

"There are some useful techniques you can use – such as slowing down your speech – but it's more about changing your mindset and believing it's OK to stammer," said Stephanie.

"The problem is often with other people making it an issue. They can get impatient and finish off your sentences rather than letting you have time to continue what you are trying to say.

"I believe if you have a stammer you can still do anything you want to do – you just need the confidence to get out there and do it."

Bethany, who recently graduated from the University of Central Lancashire, is still a member of a group set-up about two years ago for women who stammer.

It meets monthly at the Coronation Hospital, in Ilkley.

An estimated one in every 100 adults has a stammer and it is more common in men.

An international awareness-raising day is being staged on Saturday to promote the help available and dispel misconceptions, such as people who stammer are less intelligent.

Anyone seeking help can contact their GP, for a referral to a speech and language therapist, or the British Stammering Association (BSA) helpline on 0845 603 2001.

Many speech and language services also accept self-referrals.

Airedale Hospital is currently in discussions with the BSA to roll out a national service using telemedicine, enabling people to receive help from a therapist on-screen.