Dyslexia Awareness Week
I’ve been to 3 schools thiks week and it is Friday now. Finally I have by sticker, proudly displaying the words “Dyslexia Awareness Week- Blessing in Disguise” I’m just wondering how aware people have really been.
I have previously posted my feelings regarding the Dyslexia Foundations choice of tag lines but I have to say that the word ‘Blessing’ is again overstating it somewhat.
There are many, many kids (and adults) fighting everyday against their Dyslexia. What annoys me so much I think that in so many situations when you say “I’m Dyslexic” people will just dismissively laugh it away like it’s some kind of joke. I feel like screaming sometimes, “I’M SERIOUS….HELP ME!!!”
Just because I’m a teacher does not mean I’ve not got this learning difficulty. I have had to work REALLY hard to get where I am, doing what I’m doing. Sure, I’m not the best teacher in the whole world, but then nor am I the worst.
It takes me longer to think issues through (which is why I like the blog so much- thinking asynchronously works really well for me)
As for ‘Picture thinking’ – Yep, its true for me. Whenever someone says. “Have you seen my car keys? “ If I have I can see it in my head. Right there! By the …., Under the …. Behind the…. Agggrrrh! If only I could actually marry up those nouns with the picture in my head fast enough not look like an idiot, I’d be happy.
Is it gift? Am I blessed? Hmmm, not from where I’m standing.
Simon,
Thanks for being so candid about something so personal. I had not heard this tag line before and am also disappointed with their choice. I have never thought any of the dyslexic kids I taught were blessed and I’m pretty sure their families didn’t feel blessed. I’m sure there are much better ways to make people “aware” without trying to market dyslexia as something others only wish they had! Thanks for giving us a view into your thinking…
I agree with Melanie, thank you for sharing this. One of my best friends has dyslexia and for a while I just thought he was a bad texter until he shared this with us. It is amazing to talk to him and have him share how things are when he tries to read and write. I would be interested to find out more about why this tagline was chosen for the week – have you spoken to anyone from the foundation?