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