Succeeding with Dyslexia

When I was seven, my parents were told I have severe dyslexia. They were told that it was so severe that it was highly unlikely I would ever read or write like others – but they left that part out of the story for a very long time.  

My time in school I found very frustrating; I remember in primary school wishing I could read the early Harry Potter books as my classmates were when my capacity for reading was more Jacqueline Wilson’s “Tracy Beaker.” I remember never getting my pen license in year 4 (still my deepest shame to this day!) because my handwriting was unreadable and forgetfulness meant my homework, PE kit and stationery were always missing from my bag. All whilst being enrolled in every extra-curricular class going, from Saturday schooling, after-school tutoring, and surprise spelling tests over breakfast from my dad on a Sunday morning.  

Over the years I’ve learnt more about how my dyslexia and dysgraphia affect me and often think of my brain as a messy room. Everything is there, but I don’t know whether it is in the drawer, under the bed, or on my desk. I often struggle to put things in the right order and get frustrated at the gaps in my own thought process. Dyslexia affects me far more than just bad spelling and reading, but the more time that passes and the more I progress through my career the easier it is, not because it impacts me less, but because I’m better at managing it. 

What helped me most with my dyslexia through the years:  

• Acceptance – Understanding Dyslexia is absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about. Whilst I hated being different, attending extra classes, and receiving lower expectations of my abilities from others, being given sheets in a different font to my peers, sitting exams alone (the list is endless). Dyslexia doesn’t mean you are less intelligent, so many people are dyslexic that you may not expect. 
• Support - Continuing the story from my teacher telling my parents I would never be able to read or write, my dad told them I was a genius, and they were idiots, and he never gave up on my education. Also, my friends and co-workers who have dedicated hours of their time proofreading my dissertations, essays, and posts through the years which I will always be grateful for. 
• Additional Education - Although I resented being treated differently back then, those hours of extra support have certainly helped me get where I am today.  
• Tech – Grammarly and Audio playback helps me daily to write, and spot my spelling/grammar errors, in fact I had my laptop read this article aloud to me several times as I typed it.  
• To Do lists – Forgetfulness is still a part of dyslexia I struggle with, which has made me a constant notetaker to ensure actions don’t get forgotten, lists and live trackers are key for me. 
• Practice & Time: While many things do not necessarily come naturally to me that certainly doesn’t mean I can’t do them! 
• And although it may sound out of place on this list – Audiobooks! Being able to finally read “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” in High School was an embarrassingly big win for me, reading the book whilst listening along with the audiobook to help was a game changer and I soon found out I was more of a Stephen King fan anyway and hadn’t missed much. 

My message to any dyslexics that struggle with being open with their employees about dyslexia is; while there are many challenges you will face, dyslexia by no means dictates how successful you will be. There are many strengths associated with dyslexia, such as creative thinking, the ability to be analytical and an affective problem-solver. But more so than that, speaking personally, the lived experience of having dyslexia has given me a strong work ethic, a passion for learning and a drive to overcome challenges and my own limitations. It’s taught me that if I don’t succeed at something when I start, I will get better. It doesn’t demotivate me, it’s simply a part of the process and who I am. #nationaldyslexiaawarenessweek