Then
It was the 1970s. It was my parents' responsibility to navigate three teenage boys through a changing world--drugs, sex, rock and roll. Fearful that they were losing some of the boys, my parents stopped at nothing to find them. The something they found--Mr. Sanders--came all the way from the city. He had long hair, and sideburns and wore round John Lennon glasses with his striped, tight-fitting jeans, yellow turtle neck and a silver chain.
It didn't take him long to pronounce the teenagers cool and then he turned his attention to me. "How old are you, little Miss?"
In a voice a little louder than a whisper, I told him, "Nine."
"How do you like grade three?"
I spoke to the floor, "I'm still in grade two."
I could see his mind whirling. I knew he was judging me. "You're...still...in--."
"Leanne," Mom told me, "go find your kitten."
My kitten was curled in a tight ball on my bed. She woke when the door closed behind me and we played with a piece of yarn. I could hear mumbling in the kitchen. I knew the adults were talking.
Mr. Sander's voice pounded on my bedroom door and demanded to be heard. "Dyslexia? You'll have to take care of her for the rest of your life."
Those words shoved everything else out of my brain and froze me in time. Mr. Sanders was smart. My parents had turned to him for advice. What he said must be true. Other children would live their lives, have adventures, make their parents proud. But because of my bad brain, I would be a prisoner--a disappointment, forever.
Now
April 16, 2023
As a child, I was educated to believe that the challenges I faced were due to my dyslexia—my disability. This assumption had the effect of silencing and diminishing me. And it made it hard for me to identify my talents and find a venue to share them.
I carry a lot of baggage (language—such as overcoming dyslexia) with me from that time.
But it is a brave new world. Thanks to Succeed with Dyslexia and Made by Dyslexia, I’m beginning to understand who I am as an adult with dyslexia. I’m beginning to understand that dyslexia is part of me. It makes me me. Dyslexia isn’t the problem. It’s the way my brain works. The problem lies in the space that was made for me, the support given to me, and the expectations demanded of me by the normative world.
I’ve come to believe that when we are allowed and encouraged to be our true selves, the world grows richer.
The world's attitude towards dyslexia is changing from a disability to an ability. As Kate Griggs, founder and CEO at Made by Dyslexia, wrote on March 31, 2022...
"Today is a Huge moment for dyslexics everywhere, and I couldn't be prouder to share the news [...]
From today, "Dyslexic Thinking" will be recognized as a vital skill by LinkedIn [...]
In another incredible step forward, Dyslexic Thinking will enter the dictionary as a valuable and vital skill set--as dictionary.com confirms it will add it as an official term [...]
Dyslexic Thinking matches with skills needed for the future as defined by the World Economic Forum."
Kate Griggs, "Dyslexic Thinking is now officially recognized as a valuable skill", LinkedIn, March 31, 2022
Dictionary.com defines Dyslexic Thinking as...
"an approach to problem solving, assessing information, and learning, often used by people with dyslexia, that involves pattern recognition, spatial reasoning, lateral thinking, and interpersonal communication."
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month
Check out the "Wall of love for Dyslexia"
Oh, yeah, and Mr. Sanders if you're out there..
I graduated with honours from high school
I volunteered in three Canadian provinces for the government-run youth group Katimavik
I attended university and completed an 18-month certificate program in Early Childhood Education
I cared for children in daycare centres as an Early Childhood Educator for 14 years
I trained myself to be a knitwear designer and sold patterns to a global community of knitters
I am building an author career
So, I gues you were...ah...WRONG!
On this blog in October...
Sunday, October 20
Whispering Stories (children's story)
Whispering Stories is a short memoir about my experiences as an elementary school pupil with dyslexia.
Sunday, October 27
Bible Passages (short story, horror)
A scary story for adults.
Sharing my Author Journey...
Reviewing Year 14
