Something a little different I’m blogging about today! I wanted to write something about myself so you could find out more about me. I think you know I’m a mother and a wife, and I’m passionate about the power of photography. But dyslexia has been a massive part of my life. When I was diagnosed with dyslexia, before that diagnosis, I had 5 years at school of teachers telling me I was lazy and them just not understanding me. Nothing really changed until I went to high school. Growing up with dyslexia in the 90s was so hard. It wasn’t until I was an adult that my thoughts changed on my dyslexia. I realised that my dyslexia was my superpower and that school just wasn’t for me. Dyslexia is hard, and there’s no getting away from that! But there are so many wonderful things that come along with it. These are the parts I want to celebrate
Living with dyslexia can be challenging, but it’s also a testament to the strength and resilience that people with dyslexia deal with on a day-to-day basis. In this blog, I want to explore the positive aspects of having dyslexia and celebrate the incredible hardships that people with dyslexia have to overcome. Through stories of determination, creativity, and unique strengths and how dyslexia can be a source of empowerment.
The Power of Creativity
Dyslexia often goes hand-in-hand with creativity. Many people with dyslexia have vivid imaginations and the ability to see the world from unique perspectives. I have always been super creative, and I think that is why I love photography. It allows me to be creative all of the time. Not one shoot is the same, so it allows me to push my creative side every time.
Dyslexic Thinking
In the UK alone, reportedly 6.3 million people have dyslexia. While that has traditionally been seen as a roadblock to education and professional development and as a problem to be solved, the ‘Dyslexic Thinking’ campaign seeks to highlight how dyslexia closely aligns with other necessary skills.
In addition to its many other listed skills, LinkedIn now cites ‘Dyslexic Thinking’ among the talents its users can claim. The new label, which is live, seeks to destigmatize dyslexia among employers and the wider public as part of a campaign by the charity group Made by Dyslexia. To support the effort, Dictionary.com has also redefined the term as ‘strengths in creative, problem-solving and communication skills’.
Sir Richard Branson -“I’m thrilled LinkedIn has added ‘Dyslexic Thinking’ to its recognized skills list,” said Branson. “It’s significant because it recognizes this unique way of thinking as a positive trait. Dyslexic thinking is a skill that can give you the edge at work: you’re likely to have strong problem-solving skills, a great imagination and creative, big-picture thinking. I’m proud to be a dyslexic thinker and redefining dyslexia as a skill gave me the freedom to pursue my dreams without barriers.”
Resilience in the Face of Adversity
One of the most remarkable aspects of living with dyslexia is the resilience it fosters. Dyslexic people face academic and social challenges that can be incredibly difficult, yet we develop a remarkable ability to persevere and overcome obstacles. This resilience becomes a valuable life skill, enabling us to tackle challenges with determination and a never-give-up attitude.
Exceptional Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
Empathy is definitely one of my biggest strengths. I can always tell how a person is feeling without them saying a word. Many people with dyslexia develop high levels of emotional intelligence, as they often need to navigate complex social situations and build strong relationships to compensate for their learning differences.
Exceptional Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
Living with dyslexia often requires a strong work ethic. People with dyslexia frequently put in extra effort to accomplish tasks others may find easy. This determination and diligence translate well into professional life, where hard work is often the key to success. Everything is a little harder for us, it takes us that little longer to get things. But it definitely doesn’t mean we can’t do anything.
Living with dyslexia is not without its challenges, but it’s important to recognise and celebrate the many strengths and positive aspects that come with dyslexia. From creativity and resilience to unique problem-solving abilities and exceptional empathy, dyslexic people have so much to offer the world. By sharing this, I hope it gives you an understanding of what dyslexia looks like. Empowerment, we can foster a greater understanding and appreciation for the diverse talents and abilities of those living with dyslexia.
So if you’ve read this or any of my other blogs and something is misspelt or a couple of words are missing, know I have read and re-read everything about 1000 times, and my brain can’t see it – and that’s fine.
Thank you for reading
Nicola
Famous People With Dyslexia
Muhammad Ali
Orlando Bloom
Walt Disney
Leonardo Da Vinci
Whoopi Goldberg
Cher
Pablo Picasso
Albert Einstein
Steve Jobs
Richard Branson
George Lucas
Bill Gates
Tommy Hilfiger
John Lennon
Charles Schwab
Henry Ford
Anthony Hopkins
Greg Louganis
Winston Churchill
Tom Holland
Useful Links
https://madebydyslexia.blog/2017/08/16/dyslexic-thinking-skills-explained/
