Hidden Potential

DAI is delighted to share ‘Hidden Potential’ a short film on dyslexia to mark Dyslexia Awareness Month (October 2016). This short film was made by Eamonn McMahon a talented young film-maker from Wicklow, with some support from the Dyslexia Association of Ireland. Well done to all those involved in producing this lovely, moving short film.

[bobpeck]

A caring teacher can make such a huge difference in a child's life. It can be so huge it cannot even be measured.

[sansonepuntrello]

I am Dyslexic watching this reminded me how school life was for me.I was told I would be in the gutter when I lefted school. I couldn't take the pressure from it all I was larfed at by teachers and also class mates.I knew I wasn't stupid.when I lefted school my life started again i wanted to prove reading and writing didn't matter .I started a business at age 19 teen .2002 I was told it wouldn't work due to me being unable to read and write. The problem was the more they told me the more I needed to prove they were all wrong. Including the teachers .Mr Neil's yes the one that told me I would spend my life in the gutter.I am 38 I still running my business nearly 19 teen years later.
I watched this video it made me sad then happy. I just woukd like to say to others who are dyslexic don't give up we are gifted people and strong hearted 💪 ❤

[ilikejazz]

"It felt trapped in my head like there's no way in communicating"
I felt that.

[RealEngineering]

Saw this on an Aer Lingus flight, found myself tearing up on the flight. Reminded me of things I went through at that age, wish I had a teacher that recognised my strengths at that age.

[barneyrubble]

I am sixty-five years old. Sadly, as a child, instead of receiving help for being dyslexic I was forced to sit in the corner and wear a dunce cap. I was unmercifully teased by students and berated by teachers. Art became my safe haven. After seeing this film, I wept ... uncontrollably.

[amandapanda]

This made me cry because I have dyslexia and still to this day I can’t read a menu yet I can tell you so much about space, art, music, rocks, English, math, history and the brain.

[neha_suresh]

I love people like these..*Just, remember we guys aren't alone* 💙

[beetle]

I wonder if i had had a teacher like that if i wouldnt have killed my artistic side. Learning a few years ago that i have dyslexia helped me so much!

[Bia-ibop]

I don't understand some teachers. How could someone be so cruel to a CHILD?! How can they yell at these innocent little beings? HOW ARE THEY ABLE TO DO THAT WITHOUT ANY GUILTY?? I feel so bad when I see someone yelling at a child. I just want to hug all these poor children. :'( That's why I want to become a psychologist and work at schools...

[sophiemccormick]

I'm diagnosed dyslexic and I think I have dyspraxia, dysgraphia, autism ADHD, ADD and sensory processing disorder, insomnia and schizophrenia ( and possibly anxiety and OCD)

[xanthecopeland]

this was beautiful ... made me tear up in parts because it so accurately demonstrates the feelings and experiences that can be part of being dyslexic. i think this should be shown to more people to spread awareness that dyslexics aren't stupid... and have so many other talents :)

[millieellis]

I have dyslexia and i wish people would give people like me a chance like they have here

[i.m.p.o.s.t.e.r.s]

Watching this videos made me tar up ! IM still in school and am struggling with dyslexia I had a screening test in school, but thats not a proper test (it’s runs in the family so i have a higher chance ) IM getting testing soon though ! This video reminds me on almost all of my teachers, I had to stay in at break to finish my work because IM a slow writer or diddent spell things right, my parents had to have several meetings with the schools about my Behaviour and Eductaion to help them realise that not everyone lears the same ! In the last 2 years I had got kicked out of my fist maths class and my second maths class and I never got help they just say me in the corner and never bothered to help me ! I then got meoved into a Lower set with all other people that were struggling ! My teacher helped me so much with my behaviour and Education I cannot thank her enough 😊 !
I also got moved into a SEN Literacy last year to help with my Literacy skills Whitchurch means I miss out on Languages, but this year I just got moved back into languages and I am almost 2 years behind and I always get told off for not knowing the language ! I then can’t handle it anymore that I just walk out ! A SENCO teacher might be giving a ADHD test for the teachers to tick of I think, so I hope that will help me ! I also struggle a lot in other lessons that include writing and teacherS just don’t understand and they C3 me (kick me out of lesson) because of my Behavior or Educational difficulty’s ! I also have a mean form tutor that picks on me and if doesent help that she is my science teacher !I have got quite low grades so I hope that I will get help with this soon because IM in year 9 (13 years old )now, and GCSEs are not that long away ! I know it hurts to say this but IM used to it by now the amount of teachers picking on me because I can’t read, write, spell, listen to instructions and focus as good as other people makes me feel quite sad but I know there is hope and it’s coMIng slowly but surly ! I wish everyone else the best and I will look back on this comment next year and hope that all is well ! Lots of love Izzy

[lila._.nightyo]

this is so inspirational for someone like me who has dyslexia

[nkina]

My 7yrs old son has dyslexia. We are still struggling. His so genius the other way around except school where his teachers and classmates don’t understand. 😭 And he has beautiful heart ❤️

[stevecallagher]

Hello Cousins! Thanks for this segment, it helps me a lot and I will be sure to look in on you from time to time.

[litangle]

I did not even know how to spell my name during the first year of school 😂😂😂😂

I ❤ being dyslexic though.

It is my superpower and I share it with many people ❤❤❤❤

[ButterflyLullabyLtd]

Thank you DAI for this wonderful film. It brought tears to my eyes when I saw the teachers awful reaction to the child, and how the children made fun. This happened to my daughter. I had to take our child out of school because State Education caused serious anxiety issues with the education pressure and bullying. Our Melody made a You Tube film when she was 10 years old with Moshi Monsters. It shows how she cried in the toilets because she was made to feel stupid and worthless. Here is her film:

It is our Melody Angels 18th Birthday this month. And it breaks my heart that she still does not see her wonderful Dyslexic gifts as something special. She only sees what she cannot do, or finds hard to do. Children need educating in school that they are lucky to have sponge like memories, and that goes for Academics too. I would like to see the Education and Exam system change to be Dyslexic friendly.

If you search You Tube you will find our daughters two original songs. She has a voice of an Angel, and her Lyrics are beautiful. Her stage name is Melody Angelicus. Our Melody is also a creative writer and artist. And she has a kind heart!

My message to all parents. Our daughter now loves books. She collects them. I got her to love reading with singing stories. And finding picture books in the Library that interested her. Being Dyslexic myself, and very proud of it. I think outside of the box.

Good luck everyone. Because nobody should suffer or feel stupid because of Academic BULLIES!

P.S. I was taught ITA English Twaddle in School. An Alien backward language. Later on I had to relearn how to read and spell all over again because of this terrible education. This proves British Academic Elites make mistakes; therefore, they should listen to us with regards to our children's education.

Not only was I educated badly, but I had Dyslexia and terrible Asthma. Always off school. But I am a Warrior. I taught myself to type, worked my way from reception to Managing Directors Secretary. And have owned three properties. I refuse to allow this Elite British Run Country to make any child feel stupid and worthless, I demand change and an apology.

The good news is, I have cured my Asthma naturally with organic fruit/veg and wild herbs, because I think outside the box. So we are not so stupid after all! I have a wonderful immune system and totally drug free, something I am very proud of.

[PictureHouseCinema]

I've never been diagnosed with it but I know I have it as I did struggle in primary school and my P7 teacher had my IQ tested. I came out above average but it didn't address the problems I was having and they had been evident from P5. In first year of high school my English teacher was pretty good but never said anything to me. It wasn't until about 10 years ago that she said she was certain from her experience of my work in first year, that I had some form of Dyslexia. I then explained to her how about how my mind sees certain things the wrong way around yet still on sight, they make sense at the time. It is only when I look again that I see what was actually there and of course the meaning is completely different from what I first thought. It hasn't greatly hindered me as an adult and has sometimes been a benefit yet I know I could have achieved more if I'd been given the right kind of help when I was in school.

[michaeleinstein]

On the minute 3:17 on the little paper appear the words "Stupid ha ha"
but on the minute 5:55 in the little paper was written just the word "Stupid" without "ha ha" I wondered if this is a mistake by the director or made on purpose.