Dyslexia Week 2021: Your Stories
Contents
- Bushra Abu-Helil
- Catherine Boafo-Yirenkyi
- Ruth Breen
- Lorna Burnett
- Mark Cooper
- Olivia Corrie
- John Crawshaw
- Winsome Duncan
- Seán Fay
- Alice Ferns
- Charles Freeman
- Chantal Gagnon
- Sarah Hill
- Victoria Hind
- Nicholas Hounsfield
- Shelley Johnson
- Raheem Mu Khepera MBE
- Callum Langstroth
- Lynn Matthews
- Bronya Meadley
- Eva Middleton
- Leigha Neverson
- Jacqui Perks
- Sophia Preston
- Ryan Rahim
- Remi Ray
- Nicola Sandy
- Paul Strick
- T - Further Education Lead Tutor at a Creative College
- Dr Helen Taylor
- Kim To
- Lennie Varvarides
- Tahirah Yasin
Sarah Hill
Tell us about your dyslexia diagnosis - when were you diagnosed and when did you / family members / friends / teachers realise that you were having challenges?
I struggled at school, and was told around aged 7 that I was dyslexic, however offered no testing and no support. It was commonly accepted that I was.
At secondary school I dropped down the sets and was told I was expected to preform poorly at GCSE. I knew stuff but struggled to write down. In my mock GCSE (where I was expected to get a D), I got A* and I was asked if I cheated etc. but then put in to see the education psych who send 'yes, very dyslexic' and offered extra time in exams. Obviously as course work had been submitted there was no help here. Because I didn't have anything in writing, I was reassessed at university, this time receiving a written report with a formal diagnosis.
How has dyslexia impacted you in both positive ways and challenges?
Positives - I can see the finer details. Because I have to re-read reports etc. I find things others have easily missed.
Negative - After my early years being told I was stupid, even a baby could spell that, my confidence and self-beliefe were badly affected, For many years I had low self-esteem. This is better now because I work in areas where I try to use words as little as possible, and have gained success in my career, however I'm still embarrassed to tell people that I am dyslexic as it is little understood. The first responses are 'oh you can't read', or spell etc.
What support have you received for your dyslexia throughout your life?
If I'm honest none. I was allowed extra time in exams, and at university access to a PC. But because although it was known and accepted, as I didn't receive a diagnosis until 16, I was given no support.
As an adult I can ask others to read through important documents, or ask for extra time in a meeting to read a document, but in general people seem to think once you leave education you are no longer dyslexic, or that yes I can't fasten my shoe laces, but no it's not a joke to laugh at.
Do you have a particular story or achievement you would like to share?
As I got older, I realised that I was very good with numbers. My dyslexia allowed me to see patterns easily, to spot errors etc. Due to this I have been able to have a successful career in data within healthcare. I feel that I am able to make a difference to others.
What advice would you have for someone who has recently been diagnosed with dyslexia?
Don't be embarrassed to say you are dyslexic. It doesn't mean you are not intelligent, but that this is shown in different ways (e.g. orally) to others. Embrace your strengths.
What one thing would you like the world to know about dyslexia?
Dyslexia just means a signal in the brain isn't quite getting a-b, mixing letters up etc.
It is not a sign of low intelligence, just that instead of writing I am better delivering orally.