I want people to understand: Dyslexia is a gift, not a stigma!

Apparently, something like one in ten people has dyslexia, regardless of their intelligence or background.

I am a professional mentor, working primarily with senior staff (both dyslexic and non-dyslexic) in the corporate sector. It was only after life-saving surgery three years ago that I had the opportunity to begin work on a self-help book that would allow me to share my mentoring skills and related information with a much wider audience.

‘The Achiever’s Journey’ is based on my experiences, both over the course of my own life and as a mentor. My intention was to weave into the book the personal philosophy behind my tutoring system, which originated with my parents. Being born dyslexic, dyspraxic, with backwards feet and given up for adoption at one month of age, meant that when my parents adopted me at the age of six weeks, they really had their work cut out for them. They could never have foreseen then that their creative methods for dealing with my learning difficulties would become the foundation of my own mentoring career and later a framework for helping my dyslexic peers.

I wrote the book for the general public, as a self-help manual, not specifically for dyslexics. Little did I know while writing the book that I was embarking on one of the most incredible journeys of my life.

One of my professional colleagues said that I must be crazy to admit in my book that I am dyslexic and that it could seriously damage my business…

Questions I was asked: “Do dyslexics read a book from the last page to the first?” “How would one know if you were suffering? From the condition?” “Is dyslexia brain damage?”

I was totally amazed that so many people had different ideas about what dyslexia really is. Then I realized that most people have preconceived notions of what a dyslexic is; Many of these ideas are wrong.

Unfortunately, many people have the same misunderstanding when it comes to dyslexia. But not only is there no connection between dyslexia and reduced brain power, there is strong evidence of a link between dyslexia and entrepreneurial skills. One of Britain’s best known and most successful international businessmen, Sir Richard Branson, is dyslexic. And recently, Dyslexia Action UK undertook a two-year arts project to explore the relationship between dyslexia and creativity.

I have always said that dyslexia is a gift and not a stigma. In my life I have been affected by the lack of understanding. Two particular incidents stand out, both of which had a great impact on my life. First, in school, when I was having trouble spelling a word, my teacher would say to me in front of the class, “Are you completely stupid?” I replied that my mom had told me that she definitely wasn’t. She replied that as far as she was concerned, it most definitely was. I was then bullied for months by some kids as a direct result of what she had said. As a kid, this really shook my confidence. From then on I kept to myself and hardly spoke during the lessons, in case I was wrong about something.

The other incident occurred after I had successfully worked for a large corporation, where I loved my work and got along well with my colleagues. A new director arrived and announced publicly that the only drawback to his new position was that he had discovered that the person who had been given the job of bringing him into the company was not only a woman, but worse, dyslexic. That person was me. I just had to take it on the chin. Unfortunately, he used his power to bully me relentlessly, until I finally gave up. This only happened to me once in my entire career, and it happened several years ago. Fortunately, these days there are systems to help deal with a situation like mine.

After reviewing how dyslexia had affected my life, I finally came to the conclusion that dyslexia had never really been a problem for me. I accept myself exactly as I am; dyslexia only became a problem when someone else misperceived it.

This brings me to the next surprise: I couldn’t understand the sudden and unexpected interest in a book that hadn’t even been finished and that no one had seen. But somehow, through the jungle telegraph, people I didn’t know and had never met were asking me questions about dyslexia. They had heard about my story and that I had been successful in life, and they wanted reassurance that their newly diagnosed dyslexic son could also be successful, despite his dyslexia. I also received interest from other dyslexics, who realized that I would probably write the book in a way that would be easier for them to follow and as someone who shares the same difficulties. Others thought they might be dyslexic and wanted to know more.

However, the last experience of this journey of writing the book came when I tried to buy an interesting book about dyslexia in a large bookstore, and the staff member who checked me in asked if the book was for me. Once he knew it was, he asked out loud (some think you’re also deaf if you’re dyslexic) how did he expect to be able to read it if he was dyslexic? He then proceeded to try to escort me to the audio section of the store. Once I explained that he was literate and had, in fact, just written a book, he apologized. However, as I was still waiting in line to pay for my book, he asked me, “Do you understand the numbers so you can put in your PIN number?”

In light of everything I have discovered during the writing of the book, I decided to address some of the main issues and also provide useful information. For dyslexics, I have created a resource section on “The Achiever’s Journey” website, which lists available assistance/information from excellent related organizations. And to help educate the general public about what dyslexia really is, I’ve provided (through my work with professional dyslexic organizations) simple explanations and media briefings on the subject.

Based on what I have learned, I have also made a conscious decision: after writing the book, my busy schedule going forward will include treating dyslexia. I have also donated free copies of my books to certain organizations and libraries, to reach those who would benefit from my book, but without the means to purchase it.

After my fascinating journey through life so far, I now believe more than ever that dyslexia is a gift and not a stigma.