A few weeks ago we had a one week series titled: “Celebrating Dyslexia.” Originally it was only going to be a one week series, but today I decided I don’t want to stop “celebrating dyslexia” thus as I discover more impressive stories of dyslexics the series will continue.

"It's unfair because often people who have disabilities - visual or hearing or wherever it is - they can very often excel in other things and it's a matter of finding those things,” said actor Charley Boorman when discussing his dyslexia in a recent interview with BBC News. 

Watching his video interview with BBC News, you would never believe charismatic, confident Charley Boorman remembers his early teachers making statements such as: “you’re thick and you’ll not amount to much.”

The most impressive quality about Boorman is the fact that he grew up with teachers taking jabs at his self-esteem, and he didn’t let those comments determine his potential.

I think that too often dyslexics decide that reading skills are the only ability that matters. It is undoubtedly a valuable skill, and one that they can improve; however, dyslexics can greatly improve their self esteem by focusing on their many strengths.

From the interview I got the impression that Boorman always knew he had strengths. He discussed that he spent a lot of time defending his abilities to his teachers. His words did not include the word “defending,” however I think it captures what he was doing. 

"At the time when I was going to school in Ireland people didn't really have a clue about what it was, so I had to spend a lot of my time trying to explain to teachers what dyslexia meant."

Why did he want his teachers to know what dyslexia meant? I think it’s because he saw his own self worth. He knew exactly why he struggled in school. He knew he wasn’t stupid or incapable and he wanted his teachers to understand that. In his own words: "That was the kind of battle I had. I knew what I had, but my teachers didn't."

That is why he has become a success: despite opposition, he has confidence in his own abilities. He acknowledges that he had a difficult time in school; he acknowledges that reading is difficult for him. But he also acknowledges that he has many strengths.

Maybe his teachers didn’t see those strengths when he was a child, but by continuously focusing on those strengths he has become living proof to his teachers that he does have self-worth and valuable abilities.

Read more inspiring stories about dyslexics:

"4 INSPIRING Stories of Dyslexics"

"Orlando Bloom THRIVES by Embracing his Dyslexia"

The full article and a video clip of the interview can be found on BBC News: “Charley Boorman on a Childhood Spent with Dyslexia”

As this week’s posts have illustrated: dyslexics have many gifts. They undoubtedly have difficulties with language; however they also have many skills that are valuable to society. They are intelligent, creative, empathetic, and talented problem solvers. As the title of one of the articles yesterday revealed, “Dyslexia Affects a Billion People Worldwide.” Although this is a prediction, it is based on research and it is likely to be fairly close to accurate.

With such a large amount of individuals discovering their dyslexia, it is more important than ever for their condition and both its positives and negatives to be understood. Too often people, including dyslexics, believe having dyslexia is associated with low intelligence, when often the opposite is true (dyslexics often possess higher than average intelligence). It is important for dyslexics and those that know them to understand their many gifts and to be patient with the difficulties that arise with their gifts.  

Hopefully this week has shown light on the true potential of dyslexics. To finish the series “celebrating dyslexia,” here is a selection of resources for dyslexics that were found in researching this week’s topic:

“The Power of Dyslexia” Forum:

This is a forum for people to submit questions about dyslexics and presents users with resources for dyslexics.

“The Ghotit Blog” about Dyslexia:

This blog is devoted to creating posts that are helpful for dyslexics and providing them with resources. One of the posts featured this video trailer from an upcoming documentary called: “Dislecksia the Movie.” Watch it here:

Lastly, for dyslexics that want to improve their reading abilities so they can focus on their strengths; look into Reading Horizons At Home reading software for dyslexics-->

Here are all of this week’s posts from the “Celebrating Dyslexia” series:

Orlando Bloom THRIVES by Embracing his Dyslexia: Celebrating Dyslexia Pt. 1

Author Daniel Pink Reveals the ADVANTAGE of the Dyslexic Mind: Celebrating Dyslexia Pt. 2

18 POSITIVE Dyslexia Symptoms: Celebrating Dyslexia Pt. 3

4 INSPIRING Stories of Dyslexics: Celebrating Dyslexia Pt. 4

One of the most impressive things anyone can do in life is to react positively to a challenge. There is always the occasional story in the news of a person that faced something extremely difficult but did not let the problem defeat them and as a result they were able to help others face a similar challenge. The following stories all discuss dyslexics who took their challenges and as a result were able to help others:

1. Dyslexia Affects A Billion People Worldwide

This article discusses the far-reach of dyslexia and the story of Robert Langston and how dyslexia has impacted his life.

2. Lessons Learnt from Teaching Dyslexic Children

This was an interesting article on how a teacher adjusted his teaching to meet the needs of his dyslexic students and in response the entire class showed improvement.

3. Jamie Oliver Sets Up Own School: Helping ‘Disaffected’ Children

Because celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver, struggled in school because of his dyslexia, he is setting up a school that caters to the needs of dyslexic students.

4. Former Ball State Star Davis Battling Dyslexia

Professional football player, Nate Davis from San Francisco, has to work to manage his dyslexia to be more effective on the football field.

Share more inspiring stories of dyslexics with us in the comment section below!

Visit Reading Horizons “Dyslexia Help Center” for more information on Dyslexia.

To affirm that there are several positive symptoms to those with dyslexia, here is a list of 18 of the positive symptoms of dyslexia:

1. Curiosity
2. Strong imagination
3. Easily grasp new concepts
4. Surprising maturity
5. Enjoy solving puzzles
6. Talent at building models
7. Excellent comprehension of stories read or told to them
8. Strong reasoning skills
9. Understand abstract ideas
10. Learning easier through meaning rather than memorization
11. Ability to see the "big picture"
12. The ability to read and understand highly-practiced words in a area of interest or expertise
13. Excellence in areas not dependent on reading, such as: math, computers, and visual arts, philosophy, biology, social studies, and creative writing
14. Noticeable excellence when focused on a highly specialized area
15. Easily express ideas and feelings
16. Exceptional empathy and warmth, and feeling for others
17. Easily adapt to new situations
18. Inclination to think out of the box

Symptoms of Dyslexia-->

There are more! Share positive symptoms you have noticed in dyslexics in the comment section below!

This week Reading Horizons is focusing on the strengths of those with dyslexia. Although dyslexia presents its possessors with many difficulties in reading and writing, the condition also provides dyslexics with many valuable skills worth celebrating!

The number of dyslexics in the U.S. population is variable, depending on the source; most statistics offer the range of 5 to 17%. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services projects that the number of dyslexics is around 15% of the U.S. population. That equates to 46 million Americans. If this condition impacted intelligence and cognition, that number would be disheartening. However, this condition is independent of IQ, if not supportive of higher IQ’s.

Daniel Pink, writer of A Whole Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, strongly affirms that individuals with strong right-brain functioning – such as dyslexics – will rule the future.

The right side of the brain is responsible for creativity and “big picture” thinking skills that cannot be outsourced or automated. Pink believes right brainers will be invaluable as the future becomes more technologically advanced, making many current jobs redundant.

Because of their condition, dyslexics naturally develop strong right-brain abilities, making dyslexia an advantage in the theory of Daniel Pink. According to Pink’s research, 35% of small-business owners are dyslexic, and self-made millionaires are more likely to be dyslexic than the average population.

It is important for individuals to be aware if they are dyslexic, for there are both positive and negative impacts that this condition can play in their lives. The sooner the signs and symptoms are uncovered, the sooner one can begin to learn how to manage the negatives and appreciate the benefits that are associated with the condition.

This personal awareness can be gained through use of the Dyslexia Assessment, created by Reading Horizons. Assessments of the same stamina can often be very costly and can require setting up an appointment with a specialist, but Reading Horizons is offering it for free to people who visit:

Free Online Dyslexia Test

Although consultation with a specialist should be sought, this assessment can help people recognize whether or not this is a necessary step.

Reading Horizons can also help dyslexics overcome their reading and writing difficulties, so they can focus on utilizing the valuable abilities that come with their condition:

Reading Horizons At Home reading program for Dyslexics