Dyslexia, My Superpower.

The NHS describe Dyslexia as: a common learning difficulty that can cause problems with reading, writing and spelling.

It is common, I am dyslexic.

This is the first time I’ve publicly stated it, so why now? Well, International Dyslexia day/week is coming up in October, I’ve seen it before and I think a lot of ‘things,’ and misconceptions get made of it. So rather than wait until a specific date, here’s my journey. (Oh, it’s taken me 4 years to write this, which just to note, has nothing to do with my dyslexia, ?? just a confidence thing)

I was told that I am dyslexic in the summer of 2005. At this time I was finishing up my second year at university and one of my lecturers had a word with me, commenting he’d noticed a few things with my reading and writing, and that the university offer assessments and support.

At the time I was in shock, ashamed and really worried, however my lecturer (a Dr in International Business) was also dyslexic, so I took some comfort from this, while thinking, “ah, this makes sense, I have a reason for being stupid” but still worried sick that I won’t make it in life.

Further thoughts moved to, should I take the assessment? is ignorance bliss? I was very confused.

Anyway, I went and got assessed, and it was clear that I was dyslexic.

2 key things stood out for me, thanks to the assessor, I have a higher than average IQ (somewhat a common characteristic) and due to my age and ultimately where I was, I’ve already developed many techniques that have helped me ‘compete’ with others at the same stage as me.

Then what came to me was some clarity, that I’m ok, fit and healthy. Some research showed me I’m not alone (however the people who show up in Google results are not mere mortals). Then I experienced a fair bit of frustration that I had always known something wasn’t right, that I always had to work that bit harder (sometimes very, very hard) to keep pace with other students around me, which at the time was a complete mystery .

Anyway, support was given, some extra time in exams and some further techniques to help, however just to note, the materials and exams do not change, it’s the same for everyone.

I spoke somewhat openly about being dyslexic, there was no difference between me and the next person, yes some jokes were made at times, but all good.

As I was finishing university, continually online taking assessments for jobs with banks (this is where I saw myself), I pretty much bombed every assessment, couldn’t finish them in time, with zero support and no feedback, it was tough to take, especially seeing people around me get through to interviews.

I finished university and started my first job - my career, things were tough, I worked hard and while some things were going my way, the 2008 recession hit. I was into my career for less than a year and in a real battle fighting external factors that were truly out with my control.

This is when I felt my dyslexic superpower kick in. While many others struggled around me, I kept working, realising that working hard was just a thing I had to do, while watching others struggle to shift gear.

In essence, due to being dyslexic, I have to work that bit harder than most. In no means was I in my element, it was still tough, but I was fit for the fight ahead. I had creative ideas, I could see past things that others would become fixated on and found building relationships easier than others.

I did well and I came though the recession with a great job, great opportunities, a house and many war stories.

But I also got bruised. While I was openly speaking about being dyslexic, some around me saw it as a ticket to get away with not working hard, (the best way I can describe it), claiming they too were dyslexic. When I spoke to them, it was more a case of "well I'm not good at numbers (a general misconception), or reading" "and there is no difference between you and I". They would grab onto what they saw as 'advantages' of being dyslexic (almost like something to hide behind). They knew this would go unchallenged and un-assessed, while in reality this was damaging. For me and for many others, it is personal and something I have to live with and work hard at everyday, people had no idea of the actual damage their comments would have on me.

I decided not to speak about being dyslexic again; I had next to zero confidence being open about being dyslexic had any value.

Over the following years, I continued to progress in my career, grew into management roles and experienced others tell their stories, some very similar to my own.

The more I thought about it, the more I saw my dyslexia as an advantage. I’ve naturally had to work hard, and as things got easier, I kept working hard. I saw things differently from most too, particularly when working with business challenges and people. But I didn’t let on to others that I do continue to have challenges. I don’t look at them as challenges, (perhaps a big legal document is my kryptonite) it’s just something I deal with and don’t think about. I can also adapt that same logic to other areas of my life, and I can begin accepting that there are amazing characteristics of being dyslexic: https://www.nessy.com/us/parents/dyslexia-information/9-strengths-dyslexia/ ?

As I’ve continued on my life journey, I’ve heard people comment that perhaps things are actually easy for me. This pushed me again to start thinking about writing this, as I’m sure there will be 100’s of others doing the same and feeling the same as me. This was furthered recently, by someone randomly saying to me they "think" they are dyslexic and within weeks, saying they actually are. I don’t know if they are or not, however the context gave me that feeling again, that dyslexia is not understood by so many and only seen as an explanation to negative challenges they face.

So here we are today, 4 years from putting a title to this rambling, what is the conclusion? Does dyslexia affect me? Yes, however if I honestly had the choice to start again without it, I wouldn’t. My dyslexia has given me so much that at times,?I do believe it is a superpower.

I know I’m not the only one who thinks this way and if this ramble can help do 1 of 2 things, 1) give anyone the confidence to be proud of their dyslexia, and/or 2) inform anyone/employers with misconceptions, and that people with dyslexia have it all to offer and then some, I’d be happy with that. Like anything, we don’t need to wait for a certain date/time of the year to speak about it.?