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I do try and update these messages at least once a week but I am really sorry if I am a bit slow sometimes as I have loads of work from school. Thanks a lot for taking the trouble to write a message - Barney

Date: 17/2/06 Name: Richard Age: 36
Where are you from?	Rep of Ireland
Are you dyslexic?	Yes - found out 3 weeks age after full tests
Any Comments or suggestions for my site?	Hi All I am not going to beat myself up now that I have discovered I am dyslexic - but I can not say the same for a previous line manager. Shifting the blame down the line causes one to loss confidence and to think in a non professional manner. Luckly I am intelligent and could see I was being underestimated and taking the blame for others mistakes. Over time that can be very tiering, I quit. Anyway....after quiting a very tragic event involving a close friend / work colleague - death made me look at life from the bottom up! That was a little over a year ago, things have moved on and most recently I discovered I am dyslexic. Well if anything now I know the line manager was wrong. And he has proved it in my absence. I have a friend who works for the same outfit who suppects he is dyslexic and he walked on his toes also. Two dyslexics with sore toes! Two dyslexics who are high archivers - proven. And one unfair line manager. Any comments or suggestions? In the meantime I am going for my degree at long last. I will use the recommendations from the report. Not sure yet what I will do the degree in, but at least aim in the right direction. Its been a hard long road that has taken me to some of the loviest and most dangerous places on earth for work. good site you have here.

Date: 14/2/06 Name: Pat Hughes Age: 48
Where are you from?
Are you dyslexic?	No - but son and daughter (twins) are
Any Comments or suggestions for my site?	Response to Jon - first... don't give up. As a parent it's hard, it's tough and it's draining but keep fighting - a teacher once said to me that "your job as a parent is to keep fighting for the best for your child" easily said but tough to keep up. Apologies if this is old hat but have you tried computer/keyboard entry of text - if not get a typing tutor programme and go for it - keyboard entry seems to free off the brain to concentrate more on content than forming the letters... spell checkers help (but watch out for homonyms) and computer output is neat and tidy (with an easily readable font and colour) so something your child can be proud of and can read without visual stress... but watch out for GCSEs - would need an Ed Psych report to justify use of computer in exams. Best of luck - you're not alone!

Date: 15/2/06 Name: Christopher Boyd Age: 14
Where are you from?	from: Stanley (it is near newcastle), England
Are you dyslexic?	Yes
Any Comments or suggestions for my site?	The screen is too bright and some dyslexics have promblems reading of bright backgrounds

Date: 15/2/06 Name: Sean Peterson Age: 11
Where are you from?	Curlwaa NSW Australia
Are you dyslexic?	Yes
Any Comments or suggestions for my site?	Its very colourful. I liked when my Mum read the about me section a lot of it sounded jst like me. I get very frustrated at times as I know a lot of things but just can not get them down on paper

Date: 12/2/06 Name: sandra Age: 39
Where are you from?	bolton
Are you dyslexic?	No
Any Comments or suggestions for my site?	I 'know' my 6 year old son is dylexic but I don't know how to help him. School doesn't help him much and he is getting in more and more fights. I just seem to stand by and watch and keep sending him somewhere where he feels a failure. How can I turn things around?

Date: 2/2/06 Name: Margaret Age: 57
Where are you from?	Essex
Are you dyslexic?	yes
Any Comments or suggestions for my site?	Nice to join the club!

Date: 2/2/06 Name: laura Age: 23
Where are you from?	Sheffield
Are you dyslexic?	Yes
Any Comments or suggestions for my site?	has anyone been discriminated against in the work place? i have been humiliated by my senior today who is not impressed as my paperwork is behind. he has said basically he thinks i am lying about my dyslexia and that i am lazy. when you say to someone i'm trying my best but i just can't do it as quick as everyone else, they just think its an excuse. this is so frustrating. my reading and writting may never improve drastically, so does this mean i should just do a job were i don't have to read and write? i'd also like to make it clear that i work in the public sector, a place where by you are supposed to be well covered in terms of discrimination laws. "supposed"

Date: 30/1/06 Name: Jon Age: 42
Where are you from?	Hampshire
Are you dyslexic?	No my son is
Any Comments or suggestions for my site?	I am at my wits end!! My sons school has an english teacher who has this evening intimated he has given up on my son being able to improve his writing. He was assessed as mildly dyslexic and above average intelligence, the other teachers say he is really trying, but even with 2 hours extra english with a diff teacher, he is not improving his written work, or overcoming his bs and ds confusion. He sugggested my son needs a dyslexic school, and was so negative. They are listed as offering dyslexic help, but the teacher was trained 10 years ago. Dyslexic schools are 3x the price, and I'm not sure he needs it or I can afford it. Where can I find a school that will actually be dyslexic competent? He is 11 this week. I really could do with pointing toward a site that will help, have trwled the internet without much luck..... Can anybody recommend a school or where to find one in Hampshire or Berkshire. Would he be better boarding? He is a really good natured and loving child and deserves better. I did mention my thoughts to the principal on leaving, prob a mistake as the teacher seems the sort to only want the capable, not the needy

Date: 28/1/06 Name: Scott Age: 9
Where are you from?	Scotland
Are you dyslexic?	Yes
Any Comments or suggestions for my site?	I find your site very good. I like how you can change colours and this has helped me. i don't like bright colours. I find writing very difficult and although i have an alpha smart at school i have not used it yet. will this help? i don't like my friends to know i am dyslexic. do you think i would be better to tell them? I also like your spelling tips as i find spelling difficult to remember. My mum has helped me with this.

Date: 26/1/06 Name: Laura Age: 23
Where are you from?	Sheffield
Are you dyslexic?	Yes
Any Comments or suggestions for my site?	Barney, i think your site is ace! i've struggled all my life, and since my job as a probation officer i became increasinly more aware of my troubles. my senior referred me for test and i discovered i was dyslexic. finding out in my adulthood has been quite a lot to take on board. your site is excellent as its made me feel normal, and its provided much needed info on plenty of subjects. hats off to you young sir! keep up the good work!

Date: 20/1/06 Name: Tracy Age: 34
Where are you from?	Glasgow
Are you dyslexic?	Yes and thankfully not stupid
Any Comments or suggestions for my site?	It's nice to think that in today's society that there isn't as much fear or ignorness about dyslexia and the people who have this condition. We're not stupid we just process things in a different way...please let me know if I'm not the only one who believes this.

Date: 12/1/06 Name: Danny Marsh Age: 29
Where are you from?	Stalybridge
Are you dyslexic?	Yes
Any Comments or suggestions for my site?	Great site, since leaving school, telling people that i am dyslexic seems to have become some sort of apology for being different. i have had many jobs (roughly 1 a year) i am now struggling in an office doing admin (the worst thing in the world for me) this is the first time i have come across this site and i am looking forward to looking at it when i get home.

Date: 11/1/06 Name: jason alster Age: 55
Where are you from?	Israel
Are you dyslexic?	no
Any Comments or suggestions for my site?	Self Help art Book to help dyslexics dysgraphics develop painting skills- and anyone else creativity skills Editorial Reviews- Creative Painting For The Young Artist - Amazon.com ISBN: 9659025122 Book Description A self help support book for the young person who wants to choose art as a subject or the youngster who thinks art is not for him. This book shows the steps one needs to be a creative artist early on. It includes how to get over the fear of failure, develop and artist statement, how to choose a subject to paint, develop an artist's mode of seeing, develop a composition, relaxation exercises for the young artist, art self critique and self promotion. The book also includes oil and pastel paintings by the author, his students, and grandfather. The book is also of value to art teachers and art therapists.

Date: 11/1/06 Name: lucy Age: 27
Where are you from?	Scotland
Are you dyslexic?	yes
Any Comments or suggestions for my site?	the spelling tips are good, it would be great if you can split it by letters so you can look stuff up

Date: 9/1/06 Name: Jade Age: 11
Where are you from?	Devon
Are you dyslexic?	Yes
Any Comments or suggestions for my site?	You should have some pictures and make the writing biger. p.s i wish i was not dyslexic

Date: 8/1/06 Name: ashleigh Age: 10
Where are you from?	reading
Are you dyslexic?	yep
Any Comments or suggestions for my site?	i find it hard being dyslexic i'm nearly there i'm nearly over it. all i would say to children is keep it up do what u hav to do. if u work hard u will get there and if u need it do not be shy ask 4 help. i should know i have my s.a.t.s soon and if is was not for me asking i would not be getting anywhere in my school and get a 1a in my s.a.t.s reymember ASK

Date: 8/1/06 Name: ashleigh denton Age: 10
Where are you from?	Reading /thilhearst
Are you dyslexic?	yes
Any Comments or suggestions for my site?	um it is a very good site. i think because children always ask me things i got upset so i came on here to chill out and get over it but now i am fine at school because i came on here so thank u alot!!!

Date: 7/1/06 Name: charlotte Age: 12
Where are you from?	Kent
Are you dyslexic?	maybe
Any Comments or suggestions for my site?	i like this site. at least i know i am not the only one who can't spell

Date: 6/1/06 Name: judy Age: 54
Where are you from?	London
Are you dyslexic?	Of course
Any Comments or suggestions for my site?	What a wonderful site! It's good to feel part of a community. How do we respond to the messages individually?

It is probably best to make an open reply as I guess there will be other people who are interested. If you really want to make a private reply you could email me and then I would forward it on. Many thanks for your message - Barney

Date: 4/1/06 Name: Fernando Age: 26
Where are you from?	Born In Germany, Grew Up In Mexico, Than Back To Germany, Lived A Time In Ireland, Living In The States Now,
Are you dyslexic?	Oh Yes I Am
Any Comments or suggestions for my site?	Impressed- especially the facility to change the background colour. That's really neat and will help people find a friendly, readable background. How do you do that? I need to know! Before I start, I would like to say something to "leanne" We are not stupid! we are not to slow, we are not lazy, we are jsut DISLEXIC!!!!! Dislexic in my eyes is not mutation! It's evolution. I am 26 years and knew the whole time something is wrong with me, teachers at school called me lazy and I started to believe in that, so later I found out "Join the dyslexic club dude" and honestly spoken, I am proud to be dyslexic like a lot of ppl here. Being dyslexic is not a shame, it is not a disadventage, is just ...... a gift, which we have to learn to work with. Being dyslexic makes you different from others, and being different is always grand to be, sure ppl don't understand us, but we understand them. so to finish with this post, we dyslexics should recognize how gifted we are! Thanx for your attention!

Date: 2/1/06 Name: Brian Age: 42!
Where are you from?	Leicester
Are you dyslexic?	No - I teach
Any Comments or suggestions for my site?	Impressed- especially the facility to change the background colour. That's really neat and will help people find a friendly, readable background. How do you do that? I need to know! I followed a list to your mnemonics page - some great ideas - one has a bit of an apostrophe / plurals glith (secretary's), but don't mind me, I'm a professional pedant! I'll be (cough) back!

Thanks for this -I am on holiday at the moment but I will correct it when I get home - Barney

Date: 3/1/06 Name: terry Age: 23
Where are you from?	nz
Are you dyslexic?	yes and most of my life it has sucked
Any Comments or suggestions for my site?	i was 21 when i started to read one of my frends started telling me stories of books he was reading and got me keen,now i read ever think i can.i find it hard to read mags i think the pic put me off my spelling is still bad and my righting is unreadbil (yes i no that is wrong) to peole that r having a hard time with being Dyslexic find what you r good at and do it im good at rock climbing and kayaking now i work as a sales/ihstructor for one of the biggest kayking shops in nz good luck and alwas have fun

Date: 2/1/06 Name: Brian Age: 42!
Where are you from?	Leicester
Are you dyslexic?	No - I teach
Any Comments or suggestions for my site?	Impressed- especially the facility to change the background colour. That's really neat and will help people find a friendly, readable background. How do you do that? I need to know! I followed a list to your mnemonics page - some great ideas - one has a bit of an apostrophe / plurals glith (secretary's), but don't mind me, I'm a professional pedant! I'll be (cough) back!

Thanks for this -I am on holiday at the moment but I will correct it when I get home - Barney

Date: 2/1/06 Name: Stevie Age: 16
Where are you from?	Bolton
Are you dyslexic?	i not sure thats why need help.
Any Comments or suggestions for my site?	it's realy good. i was wondering what i should do becos i think i may be dyslexic. but i dont want say anything in case i'm not. what should i do??

Date: 19/12/05 Name: Emma Age: 20
Where are you from?	Aberdeen
Are you dyslexic?	No
Any Comments or suggestions for my site?	I just wanted to say thanks for such a great site. I am a student teacher and your site is full of ideas and ways i can help any pupils in my class who have dyslexia.