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lauren gibson from lecworth
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I am 11 years old and im am pourd that I did so well in my sats because i had to try 2 times harder than evry one else. And I got a five in reading. (Sept 2006) |
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Louise from Hertforshire
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Since about year 6 i knew that my spelling was really bad. i noticed that my mates were doing really well in spelling tests and i was only getting 9/20. I used to get really upset because i had extra spelling help but the people that were also in it were doing leaps and bounds except me. One day my friend was talking to me about how bad her maths was and all of a sudden it came to me maybe i was dyslexic but then again maybe i wasn't very good at spelling. In the summer holidays my mum asked me to write out a shopping list and i couldn't spell onions and it got me so upset. i was 12 and i couldn't spell and it started to annoy me that i couldn't spell. In year 8 my mum went to parents everning and they said that i maybe dyslexic. my mum knew this wasn't true and she even told me but my teacher said that i should be spelling words that i can't at the moment. My mum had be go to a hearing test maybe i was going deaf and i couldn't hear things but it came back fine so then i had to go to the a place were they test you if your dyslexic. it came out that i was dyslexic and i had a spelling age of a round a 11 year old. The past months have been alright once the teachers knew that i was dyslexic and they would help me with my spelling. I would say to anyone who is dyslexic - don't worry about it there are many famouse people who are dyselxic and they are fine so really done worry about it, and if you think you can't do english i thought i couln't. once i found out i came top in my english set with 29 out of 32 pretty good!!! (July 2006) |
Deborah Crisp from: Nottingham UK
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When I finished school 2 years ago my gcse grades where not the best. School for me was hard I found all my subjects hard and difficult especially maths and english. I didnt stay on at school I go to college as my school didnt support me as much as the college do. My aim was to go into sport science as that is my strongest area and my family is sporty and it has always been an interest of mine. Sport science is'nt just playing sport and running around it involves alot of work because you look at the anatomy, science, physiology and psychology. I had to do a gcse level again in sport science to help me get on to the national which I completed in 2005 with high marks.I'm now on the national(which is A level standered and 3 A levels)I have just finishing my first year, the course is amazing and the grades i'm am getting are high. My mates always went out and I didnt find it fare but putting the hard work in has payed off. My aim now is to go to uni after I have finished my second year and get a degree in sport science. Its going to be hard but where do you get in life if every thing is easy. The most important thing to do when choosing what to study at gcse or A level is study what you enjoy not what your mates are doing. If you but the hard work in the outcomes are going to be good its your future nobody else's. (June 2006) |
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Caroline from USA
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I had so many problems growing up. Learning to read, write, do maths, and things like that, which were so easy for other students, were really hard for me. Everyday after school, I had to go for extra lessons, and during school kids would make fun of me. My teachers told my mom they thought I was retarded. I had to work so mcuh harder than every one else, but eventually, I discovered little tricks to help myself. I finished high school, and went to Oxford, and now I have a really good job. My advice is never give up, and always believe in yourself!!! (March 2006) |
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Jayne from Cumbria
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Hello, I found out I was dyslexic when I was 9. Primary school was a total nightmare for me as I had a class teacher who didn't understand me and a special needs one who made made me feel like a freak! "It was just the way your brain was made" she always used to say when I asked about my Dyslexia?! Ironically my best subject is English (!) and my handwriting and spelling have come on in leaps and bounds thanks to an amazing English teacher I had in Years 10-11. I managed to do really well in my GCSE's 9 A-C! I got double A in my English which I am still really proud of and I am now in Sixth form studying English lit (same English teacher, she's great!) History and Sociology. Not usual subjects for a dyslexic but I' m good at them! I got my first AS results last week I got a B, 2 marks off an A in English and another B, I was over the moon! Not bad for a "special needs" girl who wasn't meant to achieve anything! Good luck to everyone who is struggling and don't pay any attention to people who say you are thick, they are the ones with the problem!! (March 2006) |
Linda from Australia
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I have some pretty exciting news I'm dyslexic, have auditory processing disorder, double vision and I came first in WA in Vocational Education and Training and also came first in Senior English. Topped 3 subjects at my school. Guys you can get there it takes ages and its hard but if you put your mind too sucess you can do it. I really worked hard and it almost killed me but I'm now studying a Diploma of Children's Services at tafe. (March 2006) |
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Mitch from from Lake Cargelligo Outback Australia
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Barney, Well have I got a story for you. After doing so bad at the end of Year 9, mum wrote some pretty severe letters that meant I got the help I needed to succeed. I hope you went alright in your exams cos by gee I did good in mine. For a kid who was only going to do "Life Skills" and drop out,I finished up with external exams sat with a reader/writer not allowed to interprete any questions only to read them and write down my answers. This worked well. Science got 75% Maths 71% Geography 72History 69%, English 62% The teachers gave me marks of Maths;A for excellent YEAH!,the rest where Cs4 very satisfactory and of course English was D for satisfactory. Now I'm doing Year11 part of the Higher School Certificate I'm finding it really hard to do my own scanning and "reasnable accomodations" I'm doing Music1and loving it cos my tutor simplifies everything, explains really well and makes it easy to do. Been using "AutoCad" in Design and Technology a 3D design program that is unreal. Year 11 is a fair bit of work here's hoping I make it through. Cheers from Mitch (March 2006) |
sarah from lincoln
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i am 12 years old and i have started this programme. i have to do two diffrent exercises once in the morning and once at night. it has realy helped. i can read much better now but i still have some trubble. i have improved by 18 months on my reading test. im only 2 years behind now. i don't get called names in school about me being different because i was always quiet about it but i am so much happier now. but i need to talk more in class becaues a part of my dyslexia is i get stuck and can't put my ideas into words but i'm getting more confidence in class and just because you're different from other people in your class focus on what you're good at like i focus on my art. remember be happy with yourself. (February 2006) |
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chalrey from Kent
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I am 12. i don't know if i am dyslexic or whatever. i see words mixed up. it really gets me down. i go to a good school. they saw i needed help and i have it. i am doing better now. i am proud. (January 2006) |
julia scott from belfast, northern ireland
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hi, I am 25 years old and I was diagnosed nov 2005. I always found school very frustrating. I was excellent at every subject in school apart from english. In primary school, I struggled with, reading, grammer, and everything to do with english. The teachers found it difficult to group me because i was so good at everything but english. I wanted to go to grammer school however, the principal and my p7 teacher advised against it, saying i wouldnt be able to cope because my english was so poor. I ended up in the second lowest class when I went to secondary school. I was totally shocked. they later said it was because my english was so bad. I was confused by this, because I went to all the top school quizzes with the top class in my school, yet there is me, in second lowest class. I excelled from 1st-3rd year in secondary school- hitting a's and b's in everything except english- where I was constantly getting e's and f's- with an a for effort- (if that did not tell the teachers something- then I do not know) I reached my gcse years and the work load increased immensely- I then began to struggle in maths as well as english. mainly due to the algebra - although the teachers could not understand why I was excelling in english literature. I began to get very annoyed and sick of the work I had to put in in fourth year- so I started to lose interest. After the gcse mocks in fifth year- my french teacher - Mrs Shaw who was brilliant told me a few home truths and I took it to heart then wised up and began to stay behind school at night to work - especially on maths - as my maths teacher used to tell me I would be lucky if I got a e. I set my gcses and did really well considering- although I ran out of time in a lot of exams. I got 6 bs 1 a and 1c (english off course) however I was so proud how well I did in english and maths considering. I then went onto A levels- although I ended up doing a dyslexics nightmare - english language - english literature, history and art- toooo much reading. The first month or so was fine, then as the reading intensified I began to struggle, there were nights I was up all night just reading four chapters. I began to leg behind and the teachers began to make the judgement that I was just lazy, when little did they know I was running myself into the ground to keep up. It began to get easier to just except what they were saying, I began to miss days of school. However, one day, I decided that i was going to give it a real go and I handed in this beautiful peace of writing to my english teacher. She dismissed it and refused to believe it was mine. I was so devastated- by that stage I had just had enough after 6 months trying. I left school- went to work full time- I never gave up hope of going back to school- I returned to a further education college that September, I still struggled. I eventually went back to college in sep 2003 I did three A levels- eng lit A history B and media A and I struggled with that. But at that stage I was old enough to cope better. I applied to get into teaching at Stranmillis university college Belfast - which is so so hard to get into and I was very proud when I was offered a choice of three places at different subjects. I began there in 2004- however I began to struggle again with the reading and the amount of time I was spending on work. I also began to struggle in lectures as I could not write fast enough. I went to the disability officer there and told her I think I may be dyslexic and she laughed at me and said if you were dysleixic you would have not done that well in your exams and you certainly would not be able to be at Stranmillis. She refused to have me tested saying to wait to the end of the year to see how I do in my exams before they decide anything. I just thought its now I need the help- not when its too late. so I struggled on- I passed everything (just) in some cases, but maths- I could not pass the exam. So they failed me the year and I was devastated. I seen an add in the paper, for clearing at St Marys College - the other teaching college in Belfast. I decided I was not going to be beaten, I applied and I got in. I was nervous about telling the disability officer there that I thought I was dyslexic, but I decided I did not want to go through another year like the previous one. He was brilliant, he didnt even ask questions, he picked up the phone and arranged a test while I was sitting there. I was so relieved. two weeks later I had the test and a week after that- they said I was serverely dsylexic and it was an unbelieveable achievement I got as far as I did. I have an iq of 140 and the reading ability of a 7 year old. I never felt so happy, to know that it wasnt me or my fault. I recieved a lap top and software and I have my first appointment with my dyslexia tutor on wed. I now feel that I have no longer got to prove I am intelligent and gifted. I now feel that I can get on with my life and fulfil my dream of being a special needs teacher. so my advice to all you out there, dont give in, keep trying and never be ashamed of who and what you are, be proud of being different, because thats what makes you unique. (February 2006) |
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Eliza Skill from Sheffield
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Finding out i was dyslexic When I was little my mum and dad knew there was something up with me. So when I was 5 years of age I had to go to Hull universaty to be assessed to see what was up with me. Before then my life was not very nice the school I went to first did not know how to treat a dyslexic child. They had not had the skills for it and my mother was very unhappy for me. So I went to the University to be assessed and then my mother went back into my school and they said they could do nothing for me so I was trying hard at home and a school but nothing I did was paying off. When my mother went in the last and final time before I had to move school and they could do nothing still for an acute dyslexic child so my mother said she would move me schools. so we went up to Sheffield and she found a school who did have the skill for it. I was happy there and that school and my mum got in touch with a lady called Mrs Banham and so I had to go in a taxi 3 times a week to this speical school and I made more new friends and all that what they tried to help with paid off so I went there for 3 years and it all paid off in the end. I started comp and I went to see this teacher and for the last 4 years has been helping me and now I am doing a lot better. My reading and stuff is 1 year behind my age and I am getting better. I do not struggle any more. I am doing fine and I have decided on a job for when I am old enough to become a teacher. I know it is a long haul ahead of me but I know if I try hard it will get it. The reason my people are dyselxic because I got it off my dad. It was upsetting at first for me to find it out but I got on with my life and do not look back on anything I have done I always move on. (October 2005) |
Jane Evans from London
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Our son Kieran has been struggling since starting school and we as parents have been fighting to get people to listen to us. Kieran is now 8 and has always hated school, we have had to watch heartbroken as he returned from school saying he had been called thick again. He could not sleep at night for the fear of going to school again the next day. We got nowhere with his first school so put him to another who recognised that he was a bright boy but had problems learning. Unfortunately he was still only 6 at this time and the school said he needed to be older to assess him. We felt we didn't have time to waste as his confidence was taking a nose dive by this stage so we paid a lot of money to take him to the dyslexia institute where he was diagnosed dyslexic but told his IQ was 132. Immediatly Kieran started believing he was not thick at all although we still had a long fight ahead. To cut a long story short we kept on going into school who now had the report from the DI and telling them we wanted more done for him. In the end they decided they would apply for a statement (with some nagging from us)and within 6 months it was recommended that he went to a mainstream school with a dyslexia centre attached to it. Well he started only 2 days ago and I've seen a different child already. He now comes home happy and the support he is receiving has gone from 1 hour a week to being supported most of the day. I now have high hopes for my clever little boy. This site has helped us keep fighting too. Thank you Barney !! (September 2005) |
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Rob from Cheshire
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Hi I am Rob I found out I was dyslexic at 27. At first I was relieved that I wasn't thick. Then I thought back about my education and how my condition was missed. To be labelled with a disability was hard. I knew I couldn't spell but as I am a 200 pound natural bodybuilder I don't fit the normal description of a disabled person. I left school with no GCSEs and after doing dead end jobs and being out of work I found employment in the fitness industry (sport had given me self esteem which I'd lost in education, a great many athletes are dylexic including Steve Redgrave). In this industry my fitness, ability to teach and relate to people mattered more than my poor spelling. In 2002 I re-entered education. I'd be lying if I said it was an easy decision. I took an access course at Stockport college. It was the best thing I ever did. One day I was a little annoyed about some of my class mates attitude towards me, thinking they thought I was stupid for asking so many questions in class. I talked about it with a class mate in the pub. What he told me shocked me, he told me they joked about me cause they all thought I was so clever. This shocked me after been labelled thick and lazy for so long. My attitude changed, my new hero was Albert Eistien(a dyslexic genuis), I was going to prove I was not thick and that dylexics can suceed. I passed my Access to health and life sciences in a year with 2 GCSEs while working in the evening (I had no life for a year). I am now at Sheffield Hallam Uni in my second year of a nutrition Degree. I love it I've learned so much and just want to keep learning. Last year I started to learn the gymnastic rings, using the indo balance board and learned to surf. Life is good for the most part, I get depressed sometimes like a lot of dyslexics the odds are stacked againist us by those who would write us of as thick, but it is them that are stupid I sometimes hate been dyslexia. My neice is dyslexic and I hope she is treated better at school than I was. Hope must prevail, lets show the world how clever we are. I think we dyslexics are an untapped resource of great intellegence and creativity, good luck to you in all you endenvors we are not learning disabled we are whole brain education enabled. May be one day the world will realise this. (September 2005) |
Tara from Canada
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I was born 6 weeks early there were no birth defects then became dyhydrated and had bronchialitis, measles, whooping cough. It was a horrible start to life. By age 5 the doctors thought i had ADHD, Obsessive complusive disorder, Oppositional defiant disorder, Torettes disorder, and last but not least dyslexia. I was put on prozac which made me gain tons of weight but i was still very skinny. I attended school in Alberta childrens hospital. It was even hard to fit in there. I always had trouble spelling. Easy words like cat and dog were extremly hard for me to spell. When i was in grade 2 i went to a normal school. When we had our weekly spelling test i would be happy if i got 5 right but that barely ever happened. Instead of admitting i was dumb i would pretend to do it on prupose. I remember going home crying almost everynight. I had trouble reading so i would read with the younger kids. It was hard to get through those years. I would go home and study for hours until i had to go to bed. Big tests were the hardest and i had tons of trouble with them but somehow i got through it. i would fail my tests and when everyone asked, what did you get on your test? i would lie saying i did good. Now 14 and going into grade 9 i'm very happy. My grades are very good now i have an 80% which i'm proud of. I still have trouble spelling sometimes and reading but my friends are very supportive. The doctors have been wrong about a lot like me having torettes cause they couldn't find any tics and i grew out of my obsessive complusive behavior. I proved them pretty much all wrong. I'm winning awards now. This year i won the school life award the dramma award and the volunteer award. I was also nominated for the citizenship award but didn't win it. My family is very proud of me. I'm living a normal life even if i'm dyslexic - it dosn't impact my life anymore I don't let it. (August 2005) |
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Emma from Northern Ireland
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Ever since I was born the doctors and my parents knew that something was wrong with me. Only two hours old and I had developed a lump on my head - the doctors saw it as nothing to be concerned about; it wasn't dangerous or anything. I wasn't able to talk until a few weeks before attending play school (around three years of age); everyone thought that I was going to be a mute. Once it came for me to go to school I was talking as much as everyone else in my class; the only problem was my reading. I was able to read but reading aloud was my problem. My teacher was concerned and suggested that I went to see a speech theorphist. I was there for a few years and nobody was able to tell me what was wrong with me; which I thought to be rather annoying. I knew that I was different from everyone else in my class because of all the extra work I had to do but I didn't see why I had to suffer; why I had to spend three hours doing work that should be able to be completed within an hour. And I wasn't even being told what was wrong with me which really trialed my patience. I refused to be treated differently; people in my class were already starting to ask questions. It got to the stage were I was forced to go to 'Special Needs' in school (which was only introduced whenever I entered primary four.) I spent the reminder of my primary school career going through work that I personally thought was degrading; I was able to achieve more than this, only I wasn't given a chance. I spent longer working on my homework than anyone else in my class; I wanted to make it on my own, to show everyone what I was made of. So I worked hard; my brother was doing his key stage three exams whenever I was doing my transfer test to move to my next school and I was in my room studying longer than he was! Through this process I had three tutors, all of whom were pounding information into my brain. Sadly all of that work was a waste; I got a D. I was devastated; however I acted as though stuff like that happened for a reason; just to humour my parents into not worrying about me. Only I didn't believe that; I was furious. There was a boy in my class who refused to do work, never showed up for practise papers and argued with the teachers; and he walked out of that school with an A under his belt. Why did I have to fail in everything I did? I fought with myself for weeks after that; all of my friends were going off to grammar schools and I was to start from the bottom of the local secondary school. On my twelth birthday I got a letter; I was accepted into a Grammar School due to my I.Q test that I had taken. My parents and headmaster fought for me to get into a grammar school; I was truely blessed, that was the best birthday present I had ever got. Whenever I went into the Grammar School I said nothing about my speech and language difficulties; I wanted to prove myself to everyone. I worked, I sat tests, I succeeded. I was top of my class; and no one was the wiser about my difficulty. Nobody knew that I worked from five to ten every day after school to maintain the work in my head as well as do my homework; no body knew. I was called out of my 2nd yr spanish class to have tests run on me - they were trying to figure out what exactly was wrong with me. I had hearing tests, I.Q Tests, eye tests, reflex tests and sessions that reminded me of speech theorpy. Two weeks later it was offical - I was dyslexic. I was so relieved to know what exactly was wrong with me. Not only that; but now that they knew I was dyslexic I was now given help. I was guareented extra time in my exams from now on, all of my work was in coloured paper, a laptop if I was to attend unverisity and 'Special Needs Classes' for extra support; which I politely turned down, I had enough of 'Special Needs Classes' to do me a lifetime. Now everyone knew I was dyslexic; the extra time in exams and the rainbow of sheets that was my file were a dead give away. They asked questions, and I answered them; there was nothing else I could do about it. They knew I was the same Emma as I've always been and that was good enough for them. I struggled throughout school; and in fact I still do (any of my family, friends and teachers would tell you that). I am now sixteen and about to sit my G.C.S.E exams this year. To be perfectly honest, I'm scared shitless (excuse my french) I was doing the amount of hours needed for G.C.S.E when I was thirteen; I dread to think how long I'd be working the grind stone this year. My maths tutor (who was the best teacher I ever had) has now moved to australia and I have had to get a new tutor which is rather unnerving. Not to mention the poor standard of teachers isn't helping with my confidence. During the Summer I have started on achieving one of my many dreams - writing a novel. I am now on Chp 16 which is now over 352 novel pages; and this was at the begining of Summer. I hope to see my work published one day; so everyone can read my works. I thank God for Spell Check; for without it I would be lost. (August 2005) |
Angus Bishop from Australia
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In primary school in England I was singled out as the class dunce. Weekly spelling tests were my nightmare as you had to pass your test to your next door neighbor to have them marked and I never got more than one out of ten correct. I was usually in tears most nights before the test. Like many dyslexics I found ways to hide my shame but still had to make the long lonely walk from my regular classroom to the special needs class once a day to read from books that the five year olds were reading with so much ease. When I was eleven I was tested and diagnosed with chronic dyslexia. I had a writing/reading/spelling age of six and started on a program of remedial teaching at the Dyslexia centre at St Barts Hospital in London. The weekly sessions helped a little but I was still failing at school and eventually dropped out of the program. I sat a couple of GCSE's and failed them all spectacularly. I had no self esteem and on many occasions wanted to kill myself. I was so frustrated - I was intelligent but could barely write a sentence. Dyslexic is not a 'gift' - people who write things like that are bullshitters who have never truly suffered the hated and shame that many dyslexics live with. I am now working for one of the largest companies in World as a senior executive - I have worked in Australia, Mexico, Austria and Asia. I still write in block letters (that only I can read) and can not spell to save my life. I went to night school and completed a Btec certificate and then got a degree via distance learning. I found a boss at work who recognized that I was smarter than most of his staff and he gave me a chance to prove it. I have never looked back and have been incredibly lucky to have the life I have lived so far (I am 39 now). Every time I need to hire someone now I never look a their educational accomplishments on their resume. I look for the next 'me' - someone who just needs that first helping hand to prove that they are not useless or stupid. I still suffer from depression (sometimes I feel suicidal and I think that the pain of my school years will haunt me forever). Sometimes I sit alone and cry for no reason. As I read these stories I have tears running down my cheeks. But I am still alive and I am still fighting. My advice to you if you are suffering from dyslexia:
(August 2005) |
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Davina from Wiltshire
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My boast/success is my son Ben. Born 7 wks early, allergic to everything from peanuts to E.numbers, ashmatic & with exema - 'a bad start to life' as one doctor said. But once diagnosed as dyslexic he received wonderful help from a specialist teacher. We were told 'Let him try GCSE's but probably nothing more...' He went onto get 9 GCSEs, 6A's 2A*s & 1B (drama); then 3 A levels - Art, History of Art, Design Technolgy: a 1st in Fine Arts in video & film. Wow, we thought.... Then a complete change of direction. "I want to do an MA in International Relations in one year" "Wonderful, although you have done no sociology, politics, economics, history at A level, as most of the other students have?" we said. He started reading, [with new coloured lens glasses], and got a Merit and invited to do a PhD. Now he is running his own company producing multi-media work. He said 2 things kept him going, knowing he was loved and accepted by his parents, and could try anything......... ps the flipside, he inherited the dyslexia from me. My generation went through education as thick etc; now @ 54 I have got my own diagnosis as having Dyslexia and ADD - so am starting off a little late. All you young'ens - YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU WANT - THE HELP IS THERE - KEEP LOOKING - AND USE YOUR GIFTS TO BENEFIT US ALL. Thank you. (June 2005) |
Deborah from UK
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I left school last year, my GCSE'S weren't as good as i wanted them to be, i got a B and C in PE and food in the others i got D's they are still good. Now i am at college doing a sports science course and my work has improved lots. i am the top of my class and love the subject, leaving school for me was the best thing i did as at college you get all the help you need. I have hand outs that help me more as i don't need to copy off the board and now i am going on to do the national that can take me on to UNI!!!! June 2005) |
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Jackie from Newcastle upon Tyne born in Epping, raised in Cornwall
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Hi - just like to say I have enjoyed reading everyone's stories and this is a brill website for all ages. I am in my early 40s, I will condense my story as I am in the process of writing a book in between studying at University. I was classed as thick, never able to function in socitey and basically a total waste of space. I am also involved in a small self help group called NENDA in Newcastle, which caters for all neuro-diverse conditons. I was not formally diagonised until I reached University, I have dyslexia and dyspraxia with ME - excuse certain phrases but it was the way professionals used to talk in the 1960's, no offence to anyone. My education started in a handicapped school as I was classed as retarded. mum had a fight to get me into a normal school. once in the system, the schools could not be bothered apart from the odd teacher. I was labelled and that was it. classed as a no hoper. At the moment I am studying Psychology and intend to work in the neuro diverse areas, as there still seems to be a lack of understanding. Support at University has been great, best team in the country. Just like to say congrats to everyone, we are special people who are capable of doing anything we wish to do, may take us a bit longer. But once learnt we are the best, anyway that's my view. please excuse any spelling errors! (May 2005) |
Andy Pryce from Mid Wales
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I think I have turned around the bad points over the last few years about being a person with a learning difficulty into good points about learning difficulty! I never knew that I had Asperger's Syndrome till I was 15 and at the age of 14 I was misdiagnosed with Dyspraxia which is not true because I am well co-ordinated, what I should of been diagnosed with was Dyscalculia as I have a Mathematical Clumsyness and my mental arithmatic is showing it's true colours now (meaning I may need a calculator in my pocket at work) People thought I would get panic attacks forever but I have learned to control my own anxiety and I am going to have another go at learning to drive. My main achievement is that I managed to get a job which is a miracle because 60% of people with Aspergers are unemployed after I had been told by my old supermarket that I would never get a job because of my learning difficulty when half of their employees were dyslexic!!!!!! May 2005) |
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victoria metcalf from stevenage
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All through school i struggled with my reading writing and spelling, my old secondary school told my parents i was just lazy and not willing to work, once i finished school i went to college to make something of myself, as my gcses were really bad, december the 13th i had my dyslexic test and some time in january i was told i had severe dyslexia. me and my family know something was wrong but now i know and i feel happy and respected. i'm glad to be dyslexic (sorry if there are spelling mistakes) (May 2005) |
Luke from Kent
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I am 18 and have received an offer to study Materials Science at Oxford University. I was told I was dyslexic when I was 8. My lack of spelling ability has not prevented me from doing well in education and dyslexia has helped me in understanding many abstract ideas in physics and maths. Dispite my dyslexia at GCSE I gained A grades in English literiture and language as well as in 4 other subjects and an A* in Mathematics. In my AS levels last year I got 4A grades in Physics, Maths, Chemistry and Biology. Dyslexia does not need to impeed your progress and many people don't know I am dyslexic. This is not because I am embaressed to tell them but I do feel bad telling them when getting piles of As and they aren't. (May 2005) |
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Ella Cooper from Cardiff, Wales, UK
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What a fab site. I'm currently preparing a seminar on dyslexia for my drama teaching degree. And I've borrowed I AM HAPPY TO BE ME! A POEM BY LAUREN GIBSON AGED 9, if you haven't read it yet do it's very good!! I managed, like many, to struggle through school, college and half of uni with my dyslexia going unacknowleged, (I was 23 when it was finally recognised). In fact a tutor at uni, after I explained I think I might be dyslexic, clarified that 'well you could go and pay for a test but I can tell you now your not' (this was after proof reading a word processed essay). It's so dissapointing to find that in this age where dyslexia is supossedly a high profile SpLD, teachers and tutors are so ignorant to what it is and what it means. But it is so refeshing to hear that people have got success stories to tell, (I totally felt the memories of being mocked for 2/20 in my weekly spelling test flooding back). My sister suffered severly at school (with dyslexia and the taunts) she now owns her own bussiness (well done lil' sis). Thanks for all the wonderful stories that people have shared, and well done too. (May 2005) |
Stephen Sutton from Manchester
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I am 49 dyslexic, diagnosed in 1997 at Salford Unversity. I have been through school considered a no hoper, lazy and a loser, by most of my teachers at school. I was at school back in the 1960s and 70s during the time of corperal punishment. I left school believing that I was a loser and was in and out of work. I settled down in the year 1977 at a residential home called Nearfield house and remained there for 13 years the staff convinced me that I was someone and from then on I travelled the world and studied subjects gaining qualifications for university. I am now a qualified nurse who has just written a book called 'Life in a jar - living with dyslexia' People who know me say how well I have done, but what I have to say is anyone can do it if they really want to and if they have people who believe in them as I had. May 2005) |
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lucy atkinson from harrogate
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hello i found out i was dyslexic when i was 8 and i still am. i only went to the test a few weeks a go. when i found out i was ok, but now only 2 days ago i am having bad dreams and crying a lot. my success is that professser cloings said if you put me in a room with a thousand children i would be in the top two of the cleverst people there! he also said that my iq is very high! if you are having problems go to dyslexic studing place and get tested! dont worry lucy atkinson xxxxxxxxxxxx (May 2005) |
Steven C from Hertfordshire
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Great site I am now 30yrs old (just found this site today). I found out I was Dyslexic aged 15, not long before my GCSE's started. My mum sent me to a private tutor who really helped me. Just knowing you have Dyslexia helps a great deal as in my case anyway, notions of stupidity went out the window, coupled with confusion. I always knew I had a brain and could learn, but in my school not being able to write it down a big no no and resulted in bad report after bad report, it also include dropping me down to lower sets, hindering my ability to learn. I did manage to fight through it with the help of my folks and friends. It seems now, especially with sites like this, that people and schools are more aware of the condition and can cope better. I Went to Uni (1995-98) and studied law, I am now a lawyer in Hertfordshire.....so anyone out there in a similar boat stick with work hard and beat it. Good Luck Steven (April 2005) |
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Noah from Brighton
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I've just found out I have dyslexia. I'm in year 6 and find learning hard but my team came second in a football tournament. (March 2005) |
Louise from Doncaster
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I have always been a slow reader and writer and really struggled with english at school. Nobody was more surprised than me when i got a C for GCSE english! Unfortunately my A-levels didn't go as well and I only passed 1 (Art). Anyway, I didn't give up and I eventually passed my nursing exams and worked as a nurse for a few years. I realised though that I wasn't really using the skills I enjoyed and quit. The success story is that I enrolled on an engineering degree at university and (after being diagnosed with dyslexia and Irlen Syndrome in year 1), I've come top of my year in all exams for the last couple of years and I'm getting good grades - plus I'm finally using the skills I enjoy using (like maths and problem-solving skills etc). In engineering, dyslexia definitely helps!! I have some assistive software and a computer etc which I find really helpful - and the university have been brilliant. I hope this story inspires a few people to believe in their abilities and "reach for the stars". (March 2005) |
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Becki from Surrey UK
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Hey i found out i was dyslexic when i was 5 and had just started school. Throughout my primary school life i was always underachieving. People started to pick on me because they were reading much harder books and i was still reading what they would have called simple books. When i was 8 i was diagosed with Dyspraxia.I began to improve very slightly and my teachers were really supportive. They gave me extra help and would always make sure that i understood everything before moving on. The hardwork paid off my reading began to get slightly better and with lots of practice and coloured lenses my reading became much better. I then started at senior school and then things began to get worse. I had a english teacher who basically thought i had been hit with a plank over the head and there was nothing up top. So in the end i got really upset and my parents made me change schools. I started at my new school and within weeks i could see a signicant improvement and they had been so helpful. For the fist time in my life i had felt like i was getting somewere. My school then decided that the best way for me to improve was to use a laptop. I began to use a laptop and this helped me massively. In year 10 when i began my GCSE Course and i was so worried when my first set of predicted grades came. They were awful all d's and E's and i knew that something had to be done. I had extra lessons from all of my teachers and my grades improveed significantly to c's and d's. Ive jsut taken my mocks and ive passed them all ( hurray) i got 1 A* - 2 As and 1 b and 5 Cs i was so impressed with these. This has showed me that hardwork and determination have really paid of. And also if anyone tells you that you are thick because you are dyslexic this is NOT true- you are just as clever if not cleverer than most people without dyslexia. Good luck every one xxx (February 2005) |
maria pitt from malta
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hey i'am dislexic and i don't feel shy to say it out loud. i have a gift and i'm thankfull for it. and all u ppl who r dislexic should be 2. i'm only 14 but i know we must be proud of it and never let anyone bring u down about it. (February 2005) |
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Suzanne from Oxfordshire
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The success is me going to uni at 38 and sitting exams every term after doing college and school. In year 1 i was finally diagnosed as dyslexic and have all the help i could ever need. EXCEPT, now after all the years studying, i have loads of ways of making learning easier and dont need the help. Today my 13 year old has been hit with the news he is dyslexic and is getting minimal help. There is no computer to help with spelling, no colour plastic bits to help with reading. All he is getting is a teacher teaching him to trace letters with his fingers! How long is it going to take before so called experts realise we are not thick and we only need the simplist things to help us along a bit. It is not till most kids get to college that the LEA will pay for computers or extra tution, by which time most have learned there own way of dealing with study. I wish i could help people but finding out about becoming s pecial teacher is not an easy task. I consider myself as one of the lucky one's and wish that some of the kids who are suffering alone in silence could get the help they need and deserve. (February 2005) |
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cath from england
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hi what a good website, with interesting stories from different sorts and ages of people. its really good to hear of parents helping and supporting their children, as this is the very most important factor in success when growing up. i didnt have any support and it took me a very long time to sort myself out. i went to brockenhurst college too! but only for a bit as i couldn't do A levels at all. after 5 years i still hadn't figured out where i was supposed to be when, so it was easier to go and play the guitar or go sailing. when i was at school no-one knew anything about the way the brain works. i got A for art, but got record low results for maths and physics. i wanted to be a photographer. i didn't go back to education for 30 years, when i finally figured i wasn't stupid after all. then my brain sucked it all up like a sponge, and i learnt to learn everything by pictures. i got a 2i honours in moleculer biology by pictures, and i did a Phd in nanobiomechanics by pictures. the chemistry dept. employed many people to make computerised graphics of the molecule i could turn and twist in my minds eye all the time. i now teach adults maths, because dyslexia affects the way we do maths, and i can help people use their skills. pretty soon more people will realise that the human brain is naturally 'dyslexic', uses both sides of the brain, is quite happy with uncertainty, and it is people that only use 1 side who are the control freaks who like to be controlled and limit themselves. i've had a hard time, but some amazing times too. i love photograhy. i didn't need to go and do a college course- i just had to look, and see. ps i hope this gets put in a decent font as i hate TNR its like a tax form (February 2005) |
Bernard from Switzerland
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Just a few lines of encouragement. I am Dyslexic and I knew it since I was 8. I am now 45. I had major problem and school is a bad souvenir for me. I went through a technical education and then when to Uni when I was already married. Today I have good professional situation. Because my way of thinking in images more then words and numbers, I found my self very comfortable and competitive using my creativity. What I am trying to say for all people who have Dyslexia, Yes, education system is hard because it has not been made for us, but all the difficulties we have has nothing to do with our intellectual capability. Big men like Einstein had the same learning difficulties due to Dyslexia! Get all the help you can from associations, schools etc. Learn what is the best way to learn. My big chance was that my parents supported and encouraged me all the way, and especially when I had exam failures. They always told me that I was worth it. One important thing, to not be ashamed of our gift! (January 2005) |
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Daniel Marsh from Northampton England
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I am 25 and have always been dyslexic. Mum knew there was something wrong with me as soon as I was born. I was diagnosed with "learning difficulties" at school, I was about 8 at the time. I was bought (not sure about that spelling!) a computer to help with my schoolwork. The cost was split between my Parents, my school, and a local educational charity. If you are dyslexic and need money for your education, these are very useful places to go. There is a list in you local library. For all you techies out there (including me) the machine was a 386 with a 40mb hard drive which I filled to such an extent with all my schoolwork that at several times I got the message "not enough disk space to print, please delete one or more files". I did all my work on that computer for the next 5 years. Middle School was wonderful as people looked after me and supported me, if I ever got more than 2 out of ten in a spelling test, my parents would celebrate. Upper school was another matter. I was very ill and depressed. When My GCSE's rolled around I stopped going to school altogether and studied at home for a month with the aid of a computer, dictaphone, a set of whsmith flash cards (I think they were by Lettes) and my parents. If I had been going to school at that time I would not have had anywhere near the success I eventually had. For GCSE's I managed to get extra time and be able to type all my answers on a computer, as well as drop French. I got c's to g's (history, ugh). Left school, didn't know what to do except that I did not want to stay in the sixth form. Parents attitude "you can do anything you like as long as it isn't nothing". Did a heavy plant engineering course just for the hell of it (because it was there!). Started government VIP scheme with computers and now I look after nearly 400 of them! School and exams don't matter, you can do anything you like, but if you enjoy something and can do it well, see if there are way's of taking it up as a carear. (January 2005) |
Jess and Ems from London
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We wanted to first of all say congratulations to all the people who managed to deal with their dislexia and recieve goodish xam results. We have both struggled through secondary school. Bt knowing other people are going through the same thing and at gcse we both recieved top grades. We have only just discovered this site, but now we feel inspired to push on and again get top grades at AS. thank you! Jess and Ems (January 2005) |
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Heidi from Gippsland Victoria, Australia
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I have always seemed to know that I had a problem with reading and writing in Primary School and High School but I never thought it would be Dyslexia. I was a top student in Grade 3 at Primary school but after that year all my Learning went down hill. So I was told to have a tutor for my reading and writing to get my skills back to where they should be. But having a tutor you can't always rely on one, for the rest of your life. I finished Secondery School up to the end of year 10, but then I was told by a surposerly careers adviser not to bother to do year 11 or 12 including doing VCE, was I was pretty much just worthless piece of nothing. I then turned to doing Some TAFE College doing Graphic Arts Part-time I did not complete that, I then tired Certificate IV in Information Technology no success in that, then Certificate II in Business Administration and completed within 6 months, but it helped that I had someone their to help me out on assigments. Now I am doing General Education For Adults, it really helps people with Dyslexia, to complete a adult education course. I would love to set up a surrport group for Dyslexic people in Victoria, it would be nice to start a surrport group like that. Anyone that would like to organise a support group with me. (January 2005) |
Michael from Glasgow; but I come from Godalming
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I was diagnosed as being dyslexic when I was 5. When I was at school I had a statement of special educational needs. I was always good in science and maths. But I was truly appalling at English, French, history and organising my self. At school I had a lot of help with lots of one-to-one tuition. It worked quite well I gained an A*, 3As, 4B and 3Cs in my GCSEs (I just scraped Cs in French and English literature and language). I got 2 Bs and 3Cs at A-level. In the summer after my GCSEs I went to work at Foster and Partners (architects behind the Gherkin and the millennium bridge in London). I have worked there each summer since. Now I specialise in office buildings costing more then £100 million. I am now 19 and currently study at university studying Architecture. I still have trouble with Dyslexia. I find I seem to forget to put in the ect in architecture a lot (that does not look good as I have spent 2 years of my life devoted to it). Some of the printers we use are very expensive costing up to £150 a page to print and my bosses don't care if I have to reprint something because of a spelling mistake. On one project I worked on I could never remember the correct spelling of the project title and must have wasted about £500 on misprinting things with it on. I have to make lots of architectural models and I find that I make quite a lot of them the mirror image of what they are supposed to be. I still have trouble with some subjects I got a third in architectural history last year (equivalent of a D) when I got a first in every other subject (equivilant of an A). I just like to say aim high. When I was 15 and I applied to work at one of the world's top architectural practices. They employed me. Just aim high and follow your dreams; I could have thought that Fosters would not employ me and aimed lower and not got as far as I am today. Good luck with your GCSEs (January 2005) |
Jon from Hertfordshire
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First up, well done! This site is great! I was diagnosed with dyslexia when I started my university course at 21. I hated school, but did well at some subjects and awful at others. I managed to make it into uni and after receiving support and learning about the way my brain works, I passed with a 2.1. I now have an amazing job which allows me to use the gifts that I have. I would like say to anyone who has dyslexia; never give up on your dreams. Because of the way your brain works you will be able to do things better and faster than non-dyslexics could ever do. (January 2005) |
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Sharon Tringham from Tonbridge Kent
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Hi! I have 4 children with very high IQ's and dyslexia. The tricky part is that they all have different types. My oldest daughter finds it hard to organise herself and puts her thoughts to paper very slowly. As hard as she tries she can never get good grades like her friends despite an IQ of 160. My next daughter mainly has difficulties with Maths, spelling and punctuation but reads really well. My 12 year old has a statement for her dyslexia which she won by taking Kent LEA to a Tribunal. She put her case to the panel very well and now has 2 hours of specialist tuition in school time. My youngest son reads well but has motor control problems and writes (and spells) slowly and with great difficulty. All having SpLD (dyslexia)even with such different learning differences does help. It means they can understand each other's frustrations. They are all used to having parents going into school to straighten out misunderstandings (detentions or poorly set homework!)or to drop off forgotten items (lunch money etc) For me it meant I had 4 wonderful and patient people to help me study for, and obtain, a Hornsby Dyslexia Diploma. Now hopefully I can use this to help them all reach their full potential. If I could do only one thing it would be to re-label Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) to read 'Specific Learning Differences'. There is nothing that is 'difficult' for my children to learn if their teachers would only teach them in the right way. (January 2005) |
Shell from England
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hello im 16 n recently did my GCSE's, a couple of hours ago i found out i was dyselxic n my parents are really proud of me because they didnt realise how much i stuggled in secondary school without saying anything but i sat them down and told them, also i did really well in my GSCE's considering i had no help n i now feel better about myself because i know there is help i can recieve. neway my teacher told me to look at this website as it will really help me. (January 2005) |
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Kate from wirral
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It is so nice to see so many individuals having success in thier lives. I say, to all of you, keep it going you will succeed in your goals. Me, diagnosed at 21, failed at school but did not give up. Now 33, Dyslexia teacher, helping indivduals fulfil their full potential it's the best job ever. (January 2005) |
anne from illinoise
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Hi i am anne and i found out i was dyslexic when i was in 1st grade. one of my teachers told my mom to get me evaluated for dyslexia and she did sure enough i was dyslexic. but before my teacher noticed i was put in the special classes and for i long time i felt like them. but in 2nd grade i went to a special school for dyslexics in georgia and i was there for 4 years so i could learn to read and write and i did and i am actually proud to be dyslexic because it makes me different now i am a freshman in highschool and doing good and loving it (January 2005) |
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Claire Mc from: Glasgow
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hey, emm this is a small success but i managed (despite beign called thick and stupid for not being able to spell) four 2s, three 3z and a 4 in standard grades (scottish verson of G.C.S.Es whcih is 4 bs, 3 cz and a d) gettin tested this year for dyslexia!
(January 2005) |
Mitchell from Lake Cargelligo OUTBACK Australia
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Well its beeen a real struggle, knowing that I have brains, I can beat mum at Chess and Dad's a sinch, but not being able to use it in the ways that i want to show teachers that I have learnt what they have taught me. I found out I was dyslexic when I was in Year 4. It made sense to me I suppose it releaved me that I wasn't as bad as what some people would say. The coloured glasses stopped the glare, stopped the white from overpowering the black words. I can see now three or four letters clearly without Irlen lenses. With them I see what I believe other people without dyslexia see. My success is that I'm finished year 9 and am going onto year 10 this year. I couldn't have done this without my mum and dad and dad (Yeah, I got 2 dads) yet I'm not even writting this, mum is for me. I would like a computer program that writes what I speak into it so that I can do my school certificate well. My year 9 report card was disasterous and they would have kicked me out of school if it weren't for mum and dad They were there to stick up for me when I couldn't do it for myself. The Pricipal made sure I got assessed different because they forgot to give me a reader/writer for my exams. This year I have promised to work really hard to get a school certificate. I just hope it works out. Will let you know at the end of this year. (January 2005) |
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Emily Rowan from Largs in scotland
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hi i am dislexic and i used to find it very difficult to read and write until i got this book fom my learning support teacher it was called toe by toe it help me read though it took me 4 years to complete. it used to annoy me having dyslexia i used to cry and say i was dumb and last year when i was in p.7 i finally completed it and i could read a lot better. AND THEN i started largs acadamy it was so difficult the first term and then i got help and i am now top of the class and am so happy and whenever somebody looks at my work and says 'o look at what shes done its all wrong' i say 'well i have dislexea and how do you know its not yours thats wrong' and it usually is theirs that's wrong
(November 2004) |
Orlaith Sonner from Belfast
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I was 7 when I found out I was dyslexic. My mum said I should go because she was dyslexic. the man said I had very bad dyslexia and that I had different kind of dyslexia. I am good at engilsh and bad at maths. the school did not give any help last year but they did this year. I have help now from the woman in Lisburn and if I had't had the woman in Lisburn I would still have my old ways (November 2004) |
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Annelise Day from Suffolk
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Hello I am 9. I found out that I was dyslexic when I was 7. I used to think that I was thick but now I think that I am better at other things. I love dancing and i'm really good at it, well, that's what everyone else says! I'm still afraid of people looking at my work in case they say "look she's done it all wrong". I got a detention for not spelling right but my mum's trying to sort it all out because it has suddenly got too hard for me. We did a netball match and I love it, I was centre and we won 16 - 1. Also I am the fastest runner girl in my class.
(October 2004) |
Lauren A Gibson from Letchworth Garden City Herts
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I AM HAPPY TO BE ME! A POEM BY LAUREN GIBSON AGED 9 Everyone is different, I'm different in this way, I'm not very good at writing, but I know what I want to say. You can laugh and tease, but I don't care, I'm happy being different... So there! So what if I can't spell, the computer does the trick! I may not SEEM as bright as you, but I'm DEFINITELY NOT THICK! My specialty is Drama, I warn you I can't sing, everyone likes something and acting is my thing. Dyslexia might be hard for you to understand, but all I need from others is a little helping hand! (October 2004) |
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Gil Marston-Slater from Oxfordshire
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Hi this is from a Mum.
My son Jonty obviously had a writing problem from an early age but when he was tested in South Africa his IQ was off the scale but he was severely Dyslexic as was his father and myself. One of his many shcools also said he would never ride a bike nor swim. Guess what he had been riding a bike for 2 years at that point and swam albeit breast stroke. After many schools all over the world he had to attend boarding school and they had advised us that is was doubtful if he would get any "O" levels, but they were happy that he made it to "O" levels and said that they would doubt he could make it to "A" levels. But on the other hand he had learnt to speed read, write computer programs, learn excellent verbal skills. Well after he got into Uni and guess what yes he got his degree and is now Head of Technology for a medium sized Computer company. He is very happy.The moral of the story is that if you tell a child they have problems they will have- if you tell them to look at problems as an opportunity to adjust a situation they will problem solve naturally and finally and most important of all never tell them they won't be able to do something. As an added bonus I also have a daughter who is partially dyslexic and guess what she has a BA and MSc. Yes I am the proud Mum of two normal "kids" (October 2004) |
Tegan from Near Birmingham England
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Hope somebody identifies with this or it helps in anyway! Sorry it's so long; I had a lot to say! (The web site is ace, well done its really helpful).
One of the first things I remember from primary school is Monday morning spelling tests! Every week my mum (bless her) would sit down with me Sunday night and try and teach me spellings, I would be in floods of tears and just a mass of confusion, I just didn't get it, and so Monday morning would roll round and I would pretend to be sick, mum would drag me of to school where I would sit and feel sick as we were made to call out our spelling scores and, for yet another week, I would get 0/10. Then on to science and I would be able to answer all the questions, no problem, and didn't understand how other people could find it so hard. Well I got to the age of 8 in that school, and while all my reports read 'very intelligent' and 'excellent and logical', they also read 'needs to apply herself in reading and writing' or 'lazy when faced with a task that doesn't come easy to her.' My mum, who was doing her teacher training at the time, asked the school if I was dyslexic: how ever this fell on deaf ears with the head of the school replying, 'we don't have any special needs children at our school'... like it was going to bring her school down to acknowledge I had a problem! I moved schools and education authorities when I was 8 and within a month of this things started to change, I was told I was dyslexic when I was 10. This made me feel very different and odd, and I was not very happy being labelled to begging with, however it helped me receive the help I needed and (with A LOT of work over 6 years) I got B's in my GCSE's English and English literature. (yeah I cried lots that day) Now I'm doing a modern apprenticeship program in design of electrical circuits, with a day release at college. Its not easy, I still have problems with essays, handing work in on time, falling over things, and general messiness. At the end of all this I think I am a 'success story' because being dyslexic has given me much more than it ever took. It has made me more determined to reach my goals and has made me believe in my own abilities. (October 2004) |
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James from Melbourne, Australia
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First off, good on you!
I knew I had dyslexia when I was 7 or 8 (I just didn't know it had a name). My teachers didn't know, I guess I covered my tracks too well. I complained to my parents at my dispair at not being able to read or write at all (I was interested in books but could not see the words for the spaces). I was fortunate that the education department was able to diagnose me and get me on a special program for 2 half days for about 1.5 years. Unfortunately I was released from the program a little too early due to some sort of administrative stuff up. That resulted in my performing below average throughout my school years and failing HSC. I want on a did a technical HSC equivalent and scored well enough to get university entrance, but I lacked some basic abilitities to string together reasonable assignments or essays and eventually left the course, with the help of some particularly difficult academic staff who rather than allow me to lessen my load placed an increased workload on me so that I left the degree course only two units short of qualification. Turned out in the end that once in the real world I was able to succeed because of my increased ability to use both halfs of my brain, rather than been penalised for my lesser ability to use one half of my brain. After many years I returned to University part time and have now almost completed my masters. This is being achieved by my accepting that I do have to spend more time composing assignments, that I do have to concentrate on what the marker is looking for, that I do have increased abilities in some areas (overall conceptual understanding), that I will get lower marks in exam essays, and that I must strive for top marks in assignments. I have been lucky, but I have contributed to my luck by using what I do well, and learning to improve (and to a degree accept) what I do poorly. I wish every dyslexic well (mind you I generally wish everyone well!); I just suggest that you don't get caught up in the down side, remember you can picture things and get understandings quickly that elude others (and wear the fact that some things you will never be good at, like scabble). Reading itself is the easy bit, writing is a little harder (but is achievable), but rambling on web-pages is almost impossible to avoid. Cheers
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Jonathan from Scottsdale, Arizona
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Hi, I don't have Dyslexia (although I may sound like I do with my horrible spelling) but I respect what you do for these people soooo much. My 8th grade teacher assigned my class a report on learning disabilities (it's due tommorow and I just started) I needed to interview someone with Dyslexia for my report. So I had no hope of doing this within 5 hours. But luckily I stumbled upon this website. I think I read through at least 100 or so sucess stories. I believe that these may be one of the most inspirational stories I have ever heard.
If I had some multi-billion dollar company I would definitely sponsor this website! But I just wanted to applaud you on what your doing and say Keep it up! for all of you that are looking for help for Dyslexia you found the right place. I may not have the personal experience of some of the people that have written their story here, but I do know that if you put your heart and mind to it you can do ANYTHING you want to. No matter how hard the challenge you can--no, WILL-- always reach your goal! (September 2004) |
Emma from York:
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hi... I am 14 and dyslexic my parents found out when I was about 10
and didn't tell me (i found out when I was 12.) Apart from being diagnosed I have had no specialist help and my mum was the only person who has helped me.
I have gone from being unable to spell simple words to where I am now, and I can now say to people 'yes I'm dyslexic' and not be upset about it. I am so proud of myself.To evryone out there if you put your mind to it and your prepared to work hard you can do anything!! (August 2004) |
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Hi, I'm 16 so I'm in year 11 doing my GCSE's. This is not much of a success story because I have never really achieved anything on the academic side of my life. I am Dyslexic, and I find life at school extreamly hard. In fact I hate school! I have great friends who all know I am dyslexic. But when we have had exam practise for my GCSE's, they always come out with 60%+ and I come out with 15-30%. I know that I am working twice as hard as they will never do, as I am trying to keep up with them and learn more stuff on top of that.
I have extra leasons at school to help me, but I just don't see the point in them coz I don't see an improvement in my learning at all. I have been having these leasons since I was diagonsed (sorry don't no how to spell it but hope you no what I mean!) with dyslexica which is when I was in prep school, year 4. I don't think that I have eva fully come to terms with being dyslexic, I can't talk about it with out crying, I don't know why I cry I just do. (i am crying now) I just think that I am very missunderstood and there is a very sporty person inside of me trying to get out and doesn't know how, as I love sport, but I can't do what I want to do, without the academic side, which I can't do!! But I just wanted to say that I am starting to realise that dyslexia is a gift not a problem, so if all of us dyslexics keep trying we will get there in the end, even though it doesn't seem like that from here!! thanx for listerning! luv Lexi x x x (February 2004) |
wendy from barbados
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This story is about my twin daughters they were diagnosed as being dyslexic about three years ago. I have not been able to afford the special programs but I have been working with them after school an they are begining to read. They are 8 years old I do not have the training but I try my best. I am proud of them they read out of my book of bible stories. Sometimes they make a mistake but I encourage them to try
(July 2004) |
James from Toronto, Canada
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Hello my name is James and I am dyslexic too, I had a very long journey through school and was teased severely for being different, the creation of your site is brilliant and you are an example to many of us. I succeeded by identifying my strengths and developing an extremely organized pattern of thought and as a result I have succeeded in learning through repetition and application of this strategy. Once you have identified your pattern, we dyslexics have proven to have extremely powerful minds and have neat ways of thinking and seeing the world the way no else can. I am now 30 and I have a wonderful job in IT. Thanks again!
(July 2004) |
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Richard from Bournemouth
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I went through school hating it because I could not get my head round to what was required of me and a few weeks before my G.C.C.E I was told that I had short term memory lost which meant I could not remeber everything I was taught but went in to my G.C.S.E's and did the best I could and got 4 Ds, 3 Es and 2Fs but I still managed to get into Brockenhurst College. Fantastic college, gives you all the help you need. Anyway I got my first exam and panicked but the teachers there gave me all the help I needed and after one year there now I have a merit profile in BTEC first in Public Services and this leads me on to the two year course.
But the morol of this is you can do anything you want as long as you put in the hard work!! Thanx (July 2004) |
Tshwaro from London:
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I'm 10 years old and my teacher set the class a task, to find an issue and report on it. I am not dyslexic but I feel sorry for the people who are. Sometimes it can be hard with everyone making fun of you. Tell me about it I know how it feels. I think expressing your feelings about dyslexia is good because, it lets other people know how dyslexic people feel and I wish every dyslexic people LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!
(June 2004) |
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Colette from Derbyshire:
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Well it's were to start really. I'm a 38yrs Visual Dysleixic. Who was only diagnosed on Valentines day last year 2003. The only reason I found out was as I decided to re-train and go back to college on an access course as due I wanted a better life style for me & my family. 18 months into the course and keep getting assignments back from tutors I was asked if I would go for a test.
Due to this I have never felt so at ease and I feel I finally know who I'm. I competed the access course with 21 level 3's and 21 level 2's. and as for me now I'm now at university studing hopefully to go into teaching. You can get extra time in exams,plus money to buy eqiupment plus personal toutors, the help is there if you ask. However to get these things you do need a statement to prove the dyslexia test as been done and at what level you are at. When young I was always labelled as being thick but now I'm out to show that we who have this problem have other gifts that can enable us to help, others.There is hidden talent in us as so don't give up if I can do it I'm sure any one else can too.It is hard at times but so is anything that is worth doing. All the best to you talented souls that have not yet been found it's only a matter of time. GOOD LUCK. Colette. (June 2004) |
Erica from Doncaster
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I found out I had dyslexia when I was about 9. I was able to read but I couldn't spell at all. I still can't and I don't think it has changed sice I was 7.
i am extremely forgetful and get myself in a really big muddle sometimes. My parents got told if I didn't improve I would have to go to a different school for people with learning disabilties even though I was a very intelligent 10 year old. but me, my mum and dad worked really hard till I started the comprehnsive school in 1998. when I got there I exelled in PE and Drama but my english hadn't improved. 3 years later on it was time for my gcses, I got my predicted grades: in english language I was predicted a g but in english literature I gwas predicted a c. my spelling had got no better but by this time and I realised my grammer was really bad too. after a lot of extra tuition I ended up with these results:
(April 2004) |