Dyslexia and Me

So recently on BBC Three they re-showed a documentary by Eastenders actress Kara Tointon called ‘Don’t Call Me Stupid’ and hopefully a few saw it or maybe it’s still available on the BBC iPlayer because not only was it a wonderful programme but it moved me to write something here about it and the subject matter.  It was about Kara’s problem with her dyslexia and not only what it is and how it dramatic affects lives by just having a small change in the way people think.  Dyslexia is a big thing for me as not only do a lot of people in my life have this condition or work with people that do but I myself deal with it daily.

For those that don’t know or don’t know 100% for sure what dyslexia is I’ll link to a full explanation here but it is basically a condition where the brain works different from others on a different level/wavelength and in return it can be different to take in information, you can have trouble with numbers, spelling, remembering sequences, reading very simple things and public speaking.  There are many degrees of it and it may just be a case of you finding it hard to read at the same speed as your friends or it can be a case of you can’t even read or write at the level you should be for your age group.  I was officially diagnosed with dyslexia in a lower level on the scale but enough that it still affects me daily.  I find it terrible trying to read out loud to others because it effect my brain is reading at a different speed to my mouth and it’s jumping around so i can always focus on the straight line.  I’ve recorded a video that both explains what it’s like for me personally and a little reading time to show what I mean.

I am not stupid.  I’m excusing my usual bashful and humble nature to tell you this.  I have 4 A Levels A-B grades, A foundation Degree, a BTEC National Certificate in Media and a 2:1 Degree in Humanities and I’m 26.  I read quicker than any of my friends and have a memory for facts and tid bits of knowledge that even shocks me.  I have a creative mind.  I can see the visual and logical patterns better than anything but if you read out a phone number to me I’d have to stop you after 2 digits because it’ll be mush in my head by then. 

If I could say anything to those that have dyslexia it would be that you are not stupid; you just process stuff differently.  The best way to describe it to others is that everyone works on FM radio and dyslexics work on AM radio.  It’s the same information and process of going in and out but the two can only work alongside each other because the way I see the world is always slightly different to others.  This is not a bad thing.  Many great people have/had dyslexia and were plain AWESOME!  To anyone that knows someone dyslexic: just remember that having dyslexia doesn’t mean you don’t go from A to get to B in any problem.  It’s just a matter of taking a different, all be it longer, path to reach the end goal. 

The key to dealing with dyslexia is dealing with it early if possible and not trying to solve the problems by using the wrong tools.  A dyslexic brain works differently so it has to learn differently.  You wouldn’t try to make a cup of tea with an umbrella and a shoelace.  That makes no sense so why try to teach someone with dyslexia the tools of learning when they can’t use them without a struggle if at all.

I’m no expert and this is all just my own opinion and thoughts so I’ll just hope that someone will read this and follow the links below to some great sites and services on the topic and even go and watch the Kara Tointon documentary.  If anything just remember that just because you or someone you know has dyslexia doesn’t mean they can’t be great and if you think you might have dyslexia; don’t be afraid, ask for help and remember that you are not alone and you are NOT stupid; you’re special.

Links to sites on dyslexia and dyslexic societies and foundations

Dyslexia Action


The British Dyslexia Association

Being Dyslexic


Kara Tointon Documentary link  Documentary link on iPlayer for those in UK

Just a few of the great people that has or had dyslexia and didn’t let it hold them back or be remembered for being great in their field:  ALL links come from and go to Wikipedia because it was the quickest way for me to find stuff and very helpful.  Thanks to the Wiki page!

• Hans Christian Andersen, Danish writer^[1]
• Ludwig van Beethoven, composer^[5]
• Orlando Bloom, actor^[7]
• Richard Branson, entrepreneur^[10
• Anderson Cooper, American journalist^[23]
• Tom Cruise, actor^[24]
• Leonardo da Vinci, Italian inventor, artist^[25]
• Thomas Edison, American inventor, scientist^[25]
• Albert Einstein, German theoretical physicist, philosopher and author^[30]
• Noel Gallagher, musician^[36]
• Anthony Hopkins, actor^[43]
• John Irving, novelist^[44]
• Steve Jobs, Founder and CEO of Apple, Inc.^[46]
• Cath Kidston, designer and businesswoman^[50]
• Keira Knightley, actress^[52]
• John Lennon, musician, songwriter^[55]
• Jay Leno, talk show host and comedian^[56]
• Mika singer-songwriter^[62]
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, composer^[66]
• Paul Oakenfold, a record producer and trance DJ^[70]
• Jamie Oliver, chef and television host^[72]
• Ozzy Osbourne, musician^[74]
• Pablo Picasso, Spanish artist, sculptor^[25]
• Keanu Reeves, actor^[79]
• Iwan Rheon, Welsh actor and singer/songwriter.^[80]
• Guy Ritchie, film director^[81]
• Bryan Singer, film director^[85]
• Kara Tointon, English actress^[93]
• Henry Winkler, actor, spokesman for the Dyslexia Foundation^[97]
• Benjamin Zephaniah, poet^[98]