·
Dyslexia can slow
people down, but it doesn’t stop people from learning or achieving.
·
It affects reading,
writing, spelling, and sometimes math.
·
Everyone with
dyslexia experiences it differently.
·
People with
dyslexia often just need the right support to succeed.
·
Many creative,
successful, and famous people are dyslexic.
How Dyslexia
Affects Us
·
Too much to process
at once can lead to missing out or doing too much.
·
Letters, numbers,
and words may be written the wrong way round.
·
Time pressure can
be overwhelming.
·
It’s not that we
don’t understand – we just see, process, and learn in a different way.
“A lot of people
think people with dyslexia can’t read or write at all. That’s not true. It’s
about missing words, mixing up letters, or struggling to process information.
We think and learn differently—and that’s okay.”
Common Signs of
Dyslexia
·
Problems with
reading, spelling, and writing.
·
Letters and numbers
reversed: dog might become bog, 28 might become 82.
·
Getting b and d, p
and q, m and n mixed up.
·
Struggling with
concentration, speech, slow handwriting.
·
Forgetting what’s
been written or read.
·
Feeling overwhelmed
by too much information or fast instructions.
Dyslexia Aids and
Support
Helpful tools and
strategies:
·
Coloured overlays
and paper
·
Highlight pens
·
Faber-Castell Grip
pencils
·
Websites with
helpful materials:
Accessible
information matters – Easy Read, large print, and plain language all help.
My Personal Journey
with Dyslexia
I didn’t get much
support at school. I left with no qualifications, and I was called lazy and
thick. But I wasn’t. I just needed the right help.
When I started
college again as an adult, it was a struggle. My anxiety was high, and support
came late. But I kept going. I failed my English reading exam twice before I
passed it the third time—third time lucky!
“People asked me
how I could be a writer if I’m dyslexic. But being dyslexic doesn’t stop
thoughts—it just makes writing them down more challenging. With support, we can
do anything.”
Exam Stress and
Anxiety
For people with
dyslexia, exams are stressful. Here's what can help:
·
Studying: Breaks
and timing are important. It’s okay to go blank—don’t give up.
·
Food: Eating well
helps the brain, but healthy food isn’t always affordable.
·
Nerves: Anxiety can
cause sickness, dizziness, and headaches. You're not alone.
·
Sleep: Hard when
your mind won’t rest, especially before exams.
·
On the day: Dyslexia
and memory problems make exams harder. Some days are good, some bad. That’s
okay.
·
Waiting for
results: It's nerve-wracking. I thought I failed the third time—but I passed!
Misunderstandings
and Mislabels
People once called
me lazy or bad-tempered. But that wasn’t me—it was frustration, epilepsy
medication, and lack of support. My behavior improved when the medication
changed, and I got help.
Let’s stop using
negative labels like “challenging behavior.” We need understanding, not
judgment.
Communication,
Capacity, and Fairness
Some people with
learning difficulties communicate in other ways—sign language, Braille,
pictures. We must learn to understand them. Everyone deserves to be heard, even
if they speak in a different way.
Government support
often doesn’t go far enough. Assistive tools and training cost money. We need
fundraising, awareness, and proper investment to make support fair and equal.
Being a Dyslexic
Writer
I may miss words or
mix letters, but I have ideas. I have a voice. I write poetry, stories, and
blogs. I proofread my work as best I can, and I ask others for help when I need
it.
“Dyslexia doesn’t
mean I can’t be a writer. It just means I write differently—and that’s okay.”
Dyslexic Poet
I'm a dyslexic poet
with a dyslexic mind.
I write poems because I think all the time.
Too many thoughts or none at all.
My words get mixed, my letters fall.
I have weaknesses,
yes—but I have talent too.
I see the world differently, and I write it for you.
Final Thoughts
·
People with
dyslexia need support, not judgment.
·
We are often creative,
determined, and resilient.
·
Everyone’s
experience is different. Let’s respect that.
·
Never give up—there’s
always another chance, and always a way forward.
Want to Share Your
Story?
If you have
dyslexia or support someone who does, feel free to reach out to me. I’d love to
hear your story or help you find resources. Email me at:
📧 sarajgorman@gmail.com
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