It's incredibly common for dyslexics to second guess ourselves. How could we not? A substantial portion of our academic life was spent realizing — or being told — that our perception of a word, number, or sentence was wrong.
I'd always figured a college degree would be my dyslexic checkmate. We'd shake hands on graduation day and part on good terms. I'd look back that one last time and think "You know, I'm really going to miss that sumbitch."
I didn't anticipate it turning up outside the lecture halls and classrooms of my academic career. The realization that dyslexia had tagged along to adulthood felt profoundly unfair. If everyone else was able to outgrow their respective childhood Achilles heels, why couldn't I? Imagine discovering that, regardless of the field you went into, each work day began with rigorous game of dodge ball.
Those first post-graduation experiences felt like a series of awkward encounters with an ex. Heated and bitter. "What the hell are you doing here? I told you it was over!" But once I took stock of my situation, I realized I was armed with more resources than I realized: a supportive family, social and educational programs dedicated to shining a spotlight on this misunderstood disorder and student loans that would be due in six months whether this little existential crisis was resolved or not. It was time to accept that despite all the court ordered eviction notices, dyslexia wasn't going anywhere. It's simply a part of who I am.
Setting the dyslexic record straight:
Truth: Each dyslexic is different and dyslexia manifests itself in a multitude of ways
Myth: Dyslexics are stupid or slow. Most dyslexics are very bright, our brains simply process information differently
Myth: There is a dyslexic conspiracy
Truth: There are many famous people with the "gift of dyslexia"
Truth: Dyslexics are made of chocolate
I didn't anticipate it turning up outside the lecture halls and classrooms of my academic career. The realization that dyslexia had tagged along to adulthood felt profoundly unfair. If everyone else was able to outgrow their respective childhood Achilles heels, why couldn't I? Imagine discovering that, regardless of the field you went into, each work day began with rigorous game of dodge ball.
Those first post-graduation experiences felt like a series of awkward encounters with an ex. Heated and bitter. "What the hell are you doing here? I told you it was over!" But once I took stock of my situation, I realized I was armed with more resources than I realized: a supportive family, social and educational programs dedicated to shining a spotlight on this misunderstood disorder and student loans that would be due in six months whether this little existential crisis was resolved or not. It was time to accept that despite all the court ordered eviction notices, dyslexia wasn't going anywhere. It's simply a part of who I am.
Setting the dyslexic record straight:
Truth: Each dyslexic is different and dyslexia manifests itself in a multitude of ways
Myth: Dyslexics are stupid or slow. Most dyslexics are very bright, our brains simply process information differently
Myth: There is a dyslexic conspiracy
Truth: There are many famous people with the "gift of dyslexia"
Truth: Dyslexics are made of chocolate
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