THE GIFT OF DYSLEXIA

A Few days ago I wrote about procrastination in my blog. I mentioned that I have  dyslexia. A dear friend from childhood approached me and told me that her son “suffers” from dyslexia. We had an email exchange in which I told her that having dyslexia is really a gift. My son, Gabriel, also has dyslexia. He was diagnosed at a very young age and worked with a specialized tutor to teach him how to manage his life with dyslexia. He is at a point where he can identify his weaknesses and utilize his strengths to overcome any hurdles. Today he is 13 years old and an A student with a great personality, analytical, and a great sense of humor.  He knows that he has to work harder than others on certain subjects and accepts it as part of who he is.

For me growing up with dyslexia was not always easy...
During my time in elementary school, dyslexia was not even a term people knew or understood. I was perceived as a problem child! I refused to accept it and built other strengths based on my weakness! I was not able to read aloud and I had difficulty understanding the teachers. I would spend hours sketching in my books… my parents did not understand my problem.  I compensated my inability to read and write well by being very social, outgoing and able to resolve complicated problems with simple solutions. My brain could not  absorb complicated solutions.

The combination of my weaknesses and my strengths are the reasons for my success.  I would not be where I am without my weaknesses and how I viewed and compensated in carving out my path in life. Today I am an inventor, motivator, “designer” (I believe I am)… I am not afraid of looking at a challenge and conquering it… Dyslexia, which was my weakness,  is a blessing in disguise.

The majority tend to use their weakness or handicap as an excuse for their defeats.  In my case, I have so many weaknesses that I had to learn how to utilize them to improve my life.

My goal was to have my friend understand and nurture her son's dyslexia and have her son understand and appreciate his gift. If nurtured correctly he can become a giant in any field he chooses.

Here are some names of people that we all recognize and have the gift of Dyslexia:
Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, George Washington, Pablo Picasso, Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, Thomas Jefferson, John F. Kennedy, Richard Branson, Henry Ford, John Lennon among others. All giants in their fields and were able to impact the world.

The attached link proves that the achievements I have made in my life have a direct relationship to the gift I was born with, dyslexia!

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/06/business/06dyslexia.html?_r=0