Dyslexia - My (newish) Story

PSA. Dyslexia is a general term for disorders that involve difficulty in learning to read or interpret words, letters, and other symbols, but that does not affect general intelligence.

Last week I realized I most likely have dyslexia (I haven't been professionally diagnosed yet). I am not really sure how I went this long in my life without fully understanding this, but the realization has been a kind of watershed moment for me and I’m still coming to terms with how this has affected my life.

First, a few things about me. I am a terrible speller, like really really bad. I also can't text for shit and I'm constantly omitting crucial words making me sound like an idiot. Thank god for autocorrect... However, that being said, I will crush anyone here in scrabble. It used to drive my mom crazy that she couldn't beat me. It got so bad that she stopped playing with me. Beyond that, I am a very good problem solver. Big-picture thinking and finding unique solutions to problems have always come easy to me.??

I also suffer from the classic dyslexia stuff. Reading, especially out loud, has always been a challenge. The sounds never feel natural regardless of the level. There are not many things that make you feel worse than reading to your 4-year-old and misreading words.? However, throughout all this, I never thought I had dyslexia. Sure all the signs were there, but I already had the label of the kid with ADHD. This diagnosis worked to blind me to the other issues I was facing and the reason it's taken 38 years for me to understand what's actually going on.

How did this all come about?? A year ago my daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia. Almost from the moment got the news we have working with her to ensure she gets the help she needs.? Through this process, we understood that early detection is crucial in helping those affected overcome the challenges posed by dyslexia, as the longer you wait the harder it is to make meaningful changes stick.? Thankfully she is making progress and her future looks bright.

Anyway, fast forward to last week, my wife, in her ongoing education about dyslexia, has been reading "Overcoming Dyslexia" by Sally Shaywitz, the preeminent thinker on the topic of dyslexia. She asked if I wanted to listen while she read out loud. I said “yes” and immediately I began to identify with the text. Page after page Shaywitz described the signs and symptoms of Dyslexia, and I'm like, "holy shit, that's me."? Since then I have been reflecting on my past through a new lens.? Clearly now seeing how the struggles I had were a result of dyslexia and not ADHD.?

I had a very hard time in school.? I was depressed at not being able to read or communicate in written form.? I was also an awful test-taker and never got the good grades I felt I deserved.? I’d know the answer in class, but on the tests, I would falter.? Doing poorly in school made me even more depressed.? My poor grades were a contant reminder that I wasn't smart enough.? My saving grace was sports, Football (soccer) to be specific.? It gave me the foundation to feel good about myself that school didn't.? It was the reason I worked hard in school, bad grades = no sports, and was the reason I was able to get into University, being that the coach really wanted me to play for them.? That being said I was admitted on academic probation, meaning if I fail a class they will revoke my acceptance.???

By all accounts, I have found my way as a human.? I graduated with good grades and I made a life for myself, started a family, and have been fairly successful in work, however, knowing what I know now, that could have so early been out of my reach.? I feel incredibly lucky to be where I am knowing so many like me who were never diagnosed, never found their footing in life.??

Why am I writing this?? Dyslexia is not something that you can see and if you dont know what to look for it can easily be misdiagnosed, as in my case.? I want people out there to know that there is hope for you.? It will take time and you will need to work harder, MUCH HARDER, than those around you to just keep at the same level, but you have also been given a gift.? You will know struggles others simply can't comprehend.? And while dyslexia makes something things harder, it also gives you great advantages.? You will be able to problem solve and think out of the box in ways people around you never will.? This will, in the right setting, give you a major advantage over others.? In fact, I think that I am here today 100% because of my dyslexia.??

I have a label, we all do.? But I can also tell you that there are so many people out there in the world who get mislabeled and this can have a massive impact on their lives. Kids who have trouble reading can have a really hard time fitting in, leading to depression or worse. I know, that was me. However, the more I think about my situation the more I realize how powerful my mind is. I don't know what it means to be able to read effortlessly, but ask me to break down your business and find opportunities for growth, and I can do that with my eyes closed.? So if you or someone you know seems to struggle with some of the things I have written here, please let them know about my story and maybe it can help.

Much Love,

Adam