| We seem to always hear about the pathological side | | | | branded as "slow learners", sent to the foot of the |
| of dyslexia, the testing, diagnosis, treatment and | | | | class. Disdained, denigrated and dismissed from |
| search for a cure. But is there another, more positive | | | | serious consideration. Some were put off, put down |
| side? | | | | and brought down by the low prestige these |
| Doesn't every cloud have a silver lining? Could the | | | | problems brought. |
| "silver lining" of dyslexia be found in the extraordinary | | | | Others were diagnosed and helped to successfully |
| talents and abilities that many with dyslexia | | | | deal with their dyslexia. Still others seem to have |
| demonstrate? | | | | individually worked out ways to overcome the |
| Is there a little-known, generally hidden, positive | | | | problems. By whatever means, many do overcame |
| aspect of dyslexia? Good questions, all. Read on... | | | | their difficulties, use their gifts, achieve great things |
| Dyslexia is a condition known most commonly for | | | | and lead exemplary lives. |
| causing difficulties in reading, spelling and detailed | | | | There are thousands of examples of well-known |
| manipulation of words and numbers. It is usually seen | | | | dyslexic people who have achieved this and more. |
| and thought of in a clinical sense, being treated as a | | | | Their names appear on lists of famous people with |
| pathological problem, a learning disability. You rarely | | | | dyslexia... |
| hear about famous people with dyslexia. | | | | Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia [Ref.: |
| This somber image of learning disabilities and | | | | en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_with_dyslexia ] |
| specialists struggling to diagnose it, treat dyslectics | | | | publishes a list of 48 "notable people who have been |
| and find a cure is pervasive. So much so that the | | | | diagnosed with dyslexia." The list includes Sir Richard |
| positive side of dyslexia is often overlooked, rarely | | | | Branson, entrepreneur, Cher, singer and actress, Tom |
| considered. | | | | Cruise, actor, Anderson Cooper, American journalist, |
| Positive side?!? To dyslexia?! Yes, that is correct. | | | | Charles Schwab, founder of U.S. brokerage firm and |
| Dyslexia certainly has a positive side. And there ARE | | | | Jackie Stewart, racing driver. |
| many notable people, famous people with dyslexia. | | | | There is another list of "Famous People with the Gift |
| You see, while dyslexia does create problems and | | | | of Dyslexia" at dyslexia.com/qafame.htm. Included are |
| difficulties in certain areas for children, students and | | | | Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, Albert |
| adults, there IS another side to the coin. Dyslexic | | | | Einstein, Michael Faraday, Pierre Curie, Physicist (1903 |
| people frequently exhibit above-average abilities in | | | | Nobel Prize) and Werner Von Braun, Rocket Scientist. |
| physical co-ordination, empathy, graphic and spatial | | | | These lists of famous people with dyslexia are |
| visualization. | | | | extensive and quite impressive. Many of the names |
| Many become famous for their abilities to "think | | | | found there jump out at you, instantly recognizable. |
| outside of the box", be creative and achieve unique | | | | After scanning such lists for a while, one starts to |
| solutions to difficult problems. Many famous people | | | | come around to a new realization; dyslexia must not |
| with dyslexia are artistically gifted and achieve high | | | | be all bad. There IS a positive side to it. |
| success in artistic endeavors. | | | | Many look at dyslexia as a curse. In many ways it is. |
| Apparently dyslexia can really be a positive thing, a | | | | But there is also another side to that coin. It can also |
| condition that gives certain advantages to those that | | | | be a blessing... |
| have it. So much so that in some circles they speak | | | | Dyslexics (and their friends and families) should think |
| of "The Gift of Dyslexia"! | | | | about that. Then each dyslexic should make up his or |
| Some of the greatest barriers to success for | | | | her mind as to which side of that coin will they allow |
| dyslexics are the low self-esteem and lack of | | | | to dominate their lives. |
| confidence that came from their bad experiences at | | | | Will it be the curse? ...or the blessing? The problems? |
| school. Their difficulties with usual reading, spelling and | | | | ...or the promise? Will they live in obscurity and failure? |
| associated studies, put them in a bad light. Our | | | | Or will they someday take THEIR places on future |
| educational systems have long demanded proficiency | | | | lists of "famous people with dyslexia"?! |
| in these areas. | | | | For additional info about dyslexia and famous people |
| Students with difficulties in reading were once called | | | | with dyslexia, follow the links below... |
| lazy, inattentive or mentally deficient. Dyslexics were | | | | |