by nikki
(warwickshire)
Wow titles they are great.... if it's not the "stupid" label then look at all the others you can give yourself.
I have always known I was Dyslexic since school. I left having not read a single book or taken any exams. I always worked hard at school but my grades were not great. At that age I had the energy to decide I would not have the label of poor exam results.
I went back to eveing college to study one subject at a time to get the results in items I needed for work. Typing and accountants...... In work I lost the label dyslexia and just got on.
At the age of 23 I read my first book. I now write reports for a living and read all day long. What I have learnt is I need to use it or I lose it.
Then I fell ill, not badly but enough to be off work for some time. The company doc was sent to see me. They did loads of tests and some how via one of them the doc asked me if I had "learning needs".
I burst out crying I had worked for them for 15 years and had found ways around not being good at spelling and slower at reading. They sent me for more tests and I am now a proud owner of a "cert" to confirm I am Dyslexic.
Now I am much more open and have two systems at work that help with writing and proof reading.
Now with two kids and working full time, life is full and dyslexia just needs to fit in with every thing else.
Both my kids are Dyslexic so now I teach them the ways I have learnt to cope. Not pushing them to read all the time but allowing them to develop via any methods of learning including watching the TV. This has always been a big source of info for me.
I took no exams but my kids have. I work hard to make sure the schools are pushed to give the support my kids need.
When I think of my labels in order of importance dyslexic is the last one on my list. It's with me and I cannot loose it. However living with it and not allowing it to rule my choices is how I cope.