Mum, why didn’t you tell me earlier I had Dyslexia?!
My dear late mother told me when I was 45 that I had been diagnosed with dyslexia when I (Simon Kirkland) was 7, her answer to my question was “Well there was nothing we could do about it then”.
Dyslexia is a common learning difficulty that mainly causes problems with reading, writing and spelling and it's estimated up to 1 in every 10 people in the UK has some degree of dyslexia. (NHS 2024) So when I look back I now, understand so much more and it all seems to make more sense. Why was I placed in set four out of five? Why did my mother encourage me away from academic subjects and into practical ones? Why did she take for an interview at a catering college?
My brother on the other hand was the one encouraged to be a solicitor, whereas I was told “Just do as well as you can, Simon”. Maybe, looking back now, it was lucky I didn’t know I was dyslexic because I probably wouldn’t have got into sport and found my passion! However, now I see it as a massive advantage on you non-dyslexics. I have found my way around things. I learnt from an early age to take risks and learn quickly from them. But, I mostly learnt to use my 'special powers' otherwise known as my strengths to translate my thinking into practical applications through teaching, coaching, and tutoring.
Turning Challenges into Strengths
I managed to get a teaching degree and remember my 'Education Sociology Tutor' saying “You are brilliant in sessions and clearly understand and can think laterally, but, your written work does not reflect this”. So thanks to my girlfriend at the time who typed out my essays (we didn't have computers back in those days, so the advancement of computers has been brilliant for me and my interpretation of how words should be spelt!). But the question of whether spelling really counts if you can get over the basis of the text, some of us will say yes, but that’s your super skill. I always did well on IQ tests so should have thought some things were not right, but just got on with it I suppose.
My dyslexia, used to present it's more when under pressure or stress, so slowing down and taking time with things has helped me articulate my thinking. In addition, having people who understand, but don’t patronise has been a key. I have always tried to find a solution, so, my background from a young age has helped. I think this has helped me as well as my sight has got worse to the point now of not being able to read the top letter on the eyesight test. But would rather have this than Alzheimer’s which my two sisters-in-law died of at 47 and 52 respectfully.
Celebrating Differences This Learning Disability Week
I think my life would have been far different if I didn’t have dyslexia, whether better, I think not. I would not change myself for anything, so this Learning Disability Week, celebrate who you are, and not what you haven't got.
