Embracing Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. Individuals with dyslexia have trouble with reading, writing, and spelling despite having at least an average intelligence. It is estimated that 15 to 20 percent of the population is dyslexic but most are never identified or diagnosed and left to struggle their entire life.

We know how to fix the reading, writing, and spelling issues that dyslexics struggle with. But there is a tremendous roadblock in the way and it is there because our governments, schools and educators are simply misinformed about what dyslexia is or they have no information at all.

By carefully weaving together interviews with parents, experts, and adult dyslexics, "Embracing Dyslexia" tackles the issues surrounding dyslexia like no other documentary film has before.

Parents share emotional stories of their anxiety and frustration over failing to understand why their children were struggling with reading, writing, and spelling and the life-altering impact the word dyslexia had on their lives.

Adult dyslexics courageously open up and speak candidly about their dyslexia, sharing their struggles and successes they have had in school and in their adult lives.

Experts define what dyslexia is, illustrate why early dyslexia screening for all children is vital, and share how effective tutoring, classroom accommodations, and fostering the natural strengths dyslexics possess can take them from experiencing failure on a daily basis to believing in themselves and knowing that they can be successful.

[roshanali]

I am proud to say that I am dyslexic. I knew that I was unique and talented but did not know what my condition exactly is. I had difficulties at school with English and Maths as a kid. But I improved using my own techniques and scored 200/200 in Maths and Chemistry, scored 87/100 in English in High school. I have very very good memories of my past and a high IQ. However, my short time memory is a bit week. I am good in drawing and painting. I am currently a successful software engineer. But I did not think that this was possible when I was a child. You need to work harder than others and good things will happen thats the message I want to give to other Dyslexics.

[mentalhealthadvocate]

Dyslexia is NOT just about numbers, reading and writing It is about an organisation, language processing, speech, depression, self-esteem, a different way of learning, slow in thought gathering...

[rc]

I thought it said, ‘embarrassing dyslexia.’
It’s “Embracing Dyslexia.”

[SYBEX]

I am 41 and dyslexic.  For years I have felt with the pain, frustration, ridiculing and misconceptions from friends, family and co-workers about my dyslexia.  Yes, its hard to deal with, and most people don't even consider it a legitimate learning disability (even my wife whom is a teacher). Even with today's techno-geekery as a Library Media Specialist and graphic designer it is a struggle to cope and explain what I go through every day. 

Thank you for your film. I will share it on my FB and Pinterest pages.

[McCath]

Being told I have dyslexia at an age of 12(first year high school in Belgium) was a revelation. I wasn't as stupid and slow as I thought I was. The many hours extra reading I had to do, while in class of at playtime, resulted in me losing my confidence and I became a very shy kid.

High school became a better time, but still teacher didn't understand what it was. Sometimes I think they did it on purpose, telling me to read out loud or going to the board to write the answer, I even had to take extra after school spelling classes. I work so hard for just to passing the test.

But now I'm a first year architecture student and i loved it! BUT I still struggle at taking notes. Listening, writing correct notes AND understanding is a problem. My notes end up being a string of half cut of sentences, not a good starting point to go and learn for exams.. luckily my friends understand that something so easy for them is a everyday struggle for me. They help me and even give me there notes so that i have the same chances at succeeding. 

[michaeljustice]

One thing you can't get across on film is how mentally drained that kid in the beginning that's reading feels afterwords. I was diagnosed in the second grade and couldn't read or write till my Junior year in High School. Dyslexia can be overcome, but certain things will always be a problem. Your eyes do this thing where they'll jump to a random spot when your trying to read. It's completely impossible to overcome that, you just have to learn to deal with it. Another thing is...its hard to explain, but I've heard some dyslexics describe it as hitting a black hole. To me it's more like hitting a dead spot. You'll be reading and all of a sudden...things stop. Kinda like when your computer runs out of RAM and freezes, like on a website. When that happens it friggen SUCKS! That's usually where parents and teachers think a kid is being lazy or is giving up. It can also have a dominoe effect. It can really be unnerving. The worst part is, unless you yourself have dyslexia, it's unimaginable, because things like that don't happen to normal people! In Junior High and High School it would usually trigger a panic attack for me. It can be very traumatic. The worse part is, you can't really talk about it, because normal people don't have things like that happen to them!

[stephanieparker]

Dyslexia is a gift not a curse. Letters mite get mixed up but some of the smarts people are dyslexia .

[kaitlynkeely]

I just finished watching this documentary that touched me emotionally on so many levels because I was diagnosed with this feel when I was five years old. I also just wanted to say, thank you to everyone that made this movie possible and also to the director for making this a public video so then everyone has access to educate the world on dyslexia.

[mikeroberts]

I also am dyslexic. I was diagnosed in 1st grade (1968) and was apart of the test study with Mrs. Alice Koontz, on of the early pioneers in the field. It never becomes easy but you can overcome the stigma. During my school years my feeling and knuckles became very hard. After struggling through school, I found I was very good with my hands. In construction there is not much I can not do. I was also a working cowboy for 35 years. Then preaching over took me. I went back to school after thirty years. I now have a BA, BS, MA, MS and a Masters of Divinity. Presently I am working on my Doctor of Ministry. (oh and my professors show me no partiality). Part of my job is the writing of articles and sermons, and I read constantly to better my knowledge of God's Word.

I do not want you to think I am saying it is easy, because its not. Grammar and spelling means little to me. If it was not for spell check you probably would not be able to read this. But it can be done. We can do great things with the brain that God gave us. It may work differently but it still works. So chin up and keep pushing forward.

[chrisstewartbenson]

Never let them try to teach us how to correct our wrongs, let them enable us to be as creative with our gifts as possible. Chris Stewart x

[bryanosbourne]

To the creator of this documentary.

Thank you so much for the time, effort and dedication that was involved in assembling this work.

I did not discover I was dyslexic until I was 38. In large part, because I have a version of dyslexia termed 'stealth dyslexia' - a form of dyslexia where the individual is able to 'fool' teachers, employers, and spouses with "ingenious compensatory strategies."

I am so grateful that this documentary dispelled a huge myth that dyslexia is solely confined to transposing letters or poor reading/writing abilities. That is 1 of a variety of symptomatic indicators that a person may have dyslexia.

The reality is that the child or adult with dyslexia is not 'fooling' others as much as surviving. Because dyslexics are remarkably bright people they are typically the harshest critic of themselves.

Convincing ourselves that the horrendous comments educators, classmates, and parents said of us must be true, "I guess I really am stupid.". Yet, we can't deny that our creativity and artistic abilities are abnormally superior to these same people - and we don't know why.

Prior to the printing press, we wouldn't be labeled, "Dyslexic" or "Stupid." We would go by titles such as, "Shop Owner.", "General" or even "King."

The fact that dyslexics make up 1 out of 5 people in the general population, yet comprise 1 out 3 entrepreneurs is an incredible manifestation of superior intelligence. This doesn't even address theoretical physicists, rocket scientists, historical leaders, and the lists go on...

I will end this post with a quote from my favorite dyslexic:

"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."

-Albert Einstein

[juliabeasley]

Begging teachers everywhere to educate yourselves about Dyslexia. When time is of the essence for these students in order to be successful, please be prepared for them. Great video for parents, teachers, admins and policy makers.

[sweetloveindy]

In the 70s things was so different..my family was so embarrassed of my disability and I was never to talk about it ..They sent my to school 247 days of my life ...its made my life so hard ..But now I know ..I'm so ready to learn at 52

[CornellRX]

Thank you so much with your kindness and understanding Luis! Despite my past I am looking forward to a better future! Starting with Embracing my "DYSLEXIA!" And moving forward with "NEW DREAMS!" And I thank all of you that gave me, much "LOVE" and support I will never forget you all at the film Premier in Chicago, Illinois.

[deathage]

those kids are lucky I went through years of special reading classes, summer school, and tutors, dropped out of high school. Not one single person so much as thought of dyslexia. know i can hardly read more then three sentences. without wanting to cry, and have no idea on were to even start to retrain my brain.  

[JTI]

When I was a child struggling with dyslexia. I wish the teachers had been as knowledgeable initially as these people seem to be. It was thanks to my mothers support I got the help I needed. I was written off by teachers in middle school that said I'd never take GCSE's. I took them in all my subject! Anything is possible if you help and support these individuals. Great documentary.

[kyrareneeLOA]

I was misdiagnosed... I realized I was dyslexic just recently. So frustrating. I did go to college... and grad school, but didn't go until I was 40. Until I had learned my brain and could advocate for myself.

[kappokappen]

I am dyslexic, my Definition of Dyslexia is that 'we are smarter than other people, but we can't write it down'. This is what I tell people who are younger than myself. We can't think in a logic but we find our own way, most people mostly not like the way that we find works for us. I don't regret having Dyslexia. A lot of famous people are dyslexic  eg. Orlando Bloom, Steve Jobs, Richard Branson. There are more but these are some of the once people are more likely to know.

[DAMachamer]

WHAT AN IMPACT! I asked my family to "watch this documentary" as my birthday present. I have a 24-yr old grandson, who was removed from his opportunity for an enabling education. He was well diagnosed, won a comp ed award and got his first IEP at age 16. The IEP was disabling and he took a ride on that "pipeline." He would identify with Cornell Amerson. He's been just getting up/going to bed since 2005. Every day is sadness in our house. We had to give up. THANK YOU for this documentary.

[charlie]

After years of struggling at school and now college, I have found out at the age of 28 that I'm dyslexic