clipped from www.raisingkids.co.uk

Teenager speaks for the first time in ten years

A thirteen-year-old boy who became an elective mute at the age of three has spoken his first words for over a decade. Ben Grocock was just three-years-old when he threatened to stop talking if his parents brought him into hospital for a tonsillectomy. But he remained true to his word and didn't speak again for the next ten years.

The breakthrough came during a five-day self-confidence course run by the local fire brigade. The fireman running the course, Tim Cocks told the Daily Mail: 'I was concerned to begin with because I thought Ben couldn’t take part. But after I explained that to him, he agreed to speak to me, then he began talking to everyone.

At the end of the course we had a passing out parade and Ben stood up and thanked everybody. It was the first time his grandparents had heard him speak in ten years; it was very emotional for everyone.’