Former Carr Hill student Jack Dinsley struggled with a stammer growing up but here he tells the school community how he overcame the challenges this caused and how he is now looking ahead to a career in the media industry.
Did I think when I was a student at Carr Hill High School that I would record with the BBC? No I didn’t. This year has been the best year of my life and it’s all down to hard work.
When I was growing up I struggled with my personal demon of having a stammer. A stammer is when someone talks with continued involuntary repetition of sounds. This was me for the longest of time but not anymore. I’ve not let my stammer define me or stop me from achieving in the media.
I am now in my third and final year of my BA Journalism course at the University of Central Lancashire, and the course has enabled me to go on to placements such as Loose Women, BBC Newsround, BBC Newsnight and True North Productions. I will be heading back to BBC Newsround next week for a full week’s placement – something that is very hard to gain.
Earlier this month, I emailed Katie Thisleton, one of the presenters of the Life Hacks podcast. The podcast is about inspirational people who have hacked their lives for the better. For me it was about how I haven’t let my stammer define me or stopped me from achieving in the media. I emailed her about my story – and then following several emails and phone calls between me and the producer, Ben – I was heading down to London to record with BBC Radio 1. Did I think this was real?
Recording with Katie and Dr. Radha was so overwhelming because it was two very successful women who have had great careers in the media. It was amazing to sit back and chat about stammering and the journey that I had been on. All I want to do is to show people that whatever may be holding you back – embrace what you have and own it. People with a stammer would most likely shy away from a career in the media but not me.
Life Hacks co-presenter, Dr. Radha, said: “Jack’s enthusiasm and passion for helping others through sharing his story was inspiring.
“He is proof that nothing has to hold people back from following their dreams.”
Once I graduate from university, I want to work within Children’s TV at the BBC because I want to help shape the TV that the future generations will be watching. I would love to see myself as a TV presenter – and to show off my quirky personality and attitude to life. Just because I’ve had a stammer, it shouldn’t define who I am.
If you would like to listen to the podcast - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07r2z37.
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