Wed, 09 May 2012 09:58:31 GMT
In 2009, I was diagnosed with severe dyslexia. I had suspected for a long time that I had this frightening infliction, but everything was brought to a head when I was struggling at University with the last year dissertation. When I went for the dyslexia test (which my University had organized for me), I was taught many things that I did not know about myself, and my condition. They showed me how I had compensated for what I could not do all my life, without even realizing it. I was forty-six when dyslexia was confirmed, but nothing could have prepared me for the emotional roller coaster I was about to board. Part of me was glad and relieved that there was an answer to everything I had been through in my life, with the knowledge that the feelings of being different, and not "fitting in" at School, were founded. Nevertheless, I was sad and angry that it had not been picked up before; after all, this was severe dyslexia and not some hardly detectable m... ]]>Tue, 08 May 2012 12:56:45 GMTMon, 30 Apr 2012 20:07:22 GMTeven after the diagnosis as my degree was online i was left to cope alone, people assume it is just spelling issues but it is so much more. ]]>Wed, 09 May 2012 11:11:43 GMT
Music as always by GrumB - http://soundcloud.com/grumb :http://twitter.com/grumb

Please don't forget to donate to Dyslexia Action, the main chairty for my trip.

Thanks
Thu, 17 May 2012 05:26:01 GMT








]]>Wed, 09 May 2012 16:42:06 GMTWith strong determination and an iron will we managed to get her a statement of education . She was diagnosed as a high functioning dyslexic. People don't realise that it doesn't just effect reading and writing . It effects memory, organisation, auditory processing and thats just the tip of the ice burg.

My daughters views : I wish I wasn't dyslexic because it's difficult. Everything is tougher than it would be normally. People just don't understand. ]]>Thu, 17 May 2012 07:18:48 GMTThu, 03 May 2012 21:45:11 GMT
I had been hearing great things about adult education and how it was getting better and better with its help for Dyslexia. My Girl friend wanted to return to nursing and so I encouraged her to take the college course to feed her into the University system. I believed the system would support her.

That is where the problems started. Staff not recognising what Dyslexia was. Tests that were not designed for Dyslexics. Tutors that wont let you use your adaptations (like dictaphones). Learning environments which were stacked against dyslexic students of all ages but particularly mature students.

Has anyone else found this. Are Adult education Colleges all as bad as this or is this just a one off. ]]>Thu, 10 May 2012 19:36:13 GMT  

  

  
When did I notice the problems she had, when her toes curled up, as the book she first read was left, and dropped to one side just like lead

How did I feel that November evening when welcomed to school to share her achievements? The tears of anger that prickled my eyes when her name on a board stood out bright and clear for children and parents to look and stare at
The child with no stars against her name, for her and for me to share her shame

And the scale of the problems that some kids do face, makes me hum …be grateful, get on …they just call her dumb

But she thinks she’s not clever the green table beckons to sit with the boys and isolate further my lovely girl …not achieving potential

And we continued to try with a tutor each week but she’s reluctant to partake of very much more, and the struggle she has to grasp easy sums leaves her sad and frustrated and me going hum&hell... ]]>Thu, 10 May 2012 18:09:51 GMT
The Million Metre Challenge was completed on the 26th of August and now seems like a distant memory, however, I had purposely decided to take time out to reflect on the achievement and fully realise what I had in fact done.

The challenge to row 26 marathons in 36 days certainly proved to be both a physical and mental test far greater than I imagined. On many levels this significant part of my life tested me to the fullest, however, confident in the many hours of training I’d put in, I knew if I remained focussed and just kept rowing I would make it to the end and the Million Metre Challenge would be achieved. The end was in fact 1,097,070 metres, 681 miles or the equivalent of rowing from London to Oslo!

The aim of the challenge was to raise as much money for my chosen charity Dyslexia Action. Dyslexia Action is a national charity with 26 Centres that provide a wide range of services to people with... ]]>Thu, 10 May 2012 10:10:17 GMT

So I have finally reached the West Coast but I now need to make the decision to carry on the journey, what do I choose?

You can follow the journey.
Blog - http://www.therandom.co.uk/
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/therandomsam

Facebook page - 
Wow, what a week it’s been and where have the last 3 weeks gone since my last blog?

This journey so far has been amazing, casting my mind back to mid February when I started training, to reaching marathon number 21 last Friday (19 Aug). I’ve experienced every emotion going from euphoria to anguish, immense pleasure to immense pain and the highs and lows of nearly 72 hours on the Concept 2 rower.

Statistically, I’ve completed 886,095 metres and have 210,975 metres to go!

I have to admit the early marathons were tough and I have sustained blisters on my heels, back pain, aching legs, arm pump and now painful joints in my hands to name but a few minor injuries. I remember the feeling of dread after completing my first marathon and having to take a quiet moment to be alone from some of the supporters that came to see me finish my first row. That was a tough one. The last 5 marathons, ho... ]]>Tue, 08 May 2012 12:40:22 GMT
I got ok exams results. I feel though I only just got highers and no more. School made me feel like I was in the stupid pile because I made to feel that I couldn't go to uni straight from school because there was no chance i could get highers! (I proved them wrong).

I did take two gap years because I was made to feel that I couldn't go to uni unless I had my higher English I couldn't get to uni. I toke a job as a cleaner and go to college.It was sadly unsuccessful. I finally on a course at uni and heading into my final year of Community Learning and Development course. Informal education is a big part of my course and I have a passion for learning despite feeling stupid all my life.

I struggled since 2008 to accept my identity and also the negative connotations which i try very hard to ignore. Its only this year that I have seen dyslexia as a ... ]]>Thu, 17 May 2012 14:10:07 GMT
Please follow me on Twitter and check out my blog Blog.

Music by the most awesome GrumB and title song by Lee @grooveyar... ]]>Sat, 05 May 2012 04:45:20 GMTGlacier National Park.

You can see more of my photographs on Facebook and also follow me on Twitter. Check out my website and please donate to Dyslexia ActionTue, 17 Apr 2012 18:08:26 GMTRandom Sam takes on the Rockies.

After cycling for 3 weeks on Highway 2 1 finally reach The-Going-to-the-Sun road.

MarmiteUSA continues...

Music by the most incredible Grumb, 
soundcloud.com/grumb

Big thank you to Aaron for the other song.

Title song byThu, 10 May 2012 11:32:00 GMTTuesday 2nd August was my 8th marathon which raising money for the Dyslexia Action Centre in Sheffield. The lovely staff at Sheffield Centre very kindly sent me a wonderful welfare package of goodies. Thank you so much for your kindness and support. The treats will be perfect for my row.

Don't forget to check in on Livestream and see my progress.

Wish me luck!

Mon, 07 May 2012 13:56:57 GMT
After patronising lessons for two years that left me feeling ashamed, stupid, and dumb, I was deemed fine to go back to normal lessons in time for year six in primary school. I flew through my SATs, ignoring my parents divorce, and started secondary school, though spelling tests and mental math exams are things I cannot avoid, and even the thought fills me with dread.

Last month, I'd had enough. I wanted to understand what it mean for me to be Dyslexic. Could I cure myself without telling teachers? Surely I could get rid of this abnormality that made my self esteem hit the earth's core? There had to be something.

I ransacked the local and school library, poured for hours over the internet and jumped at... ]]>Wed, 09 May 2012 11:13:15 GMTDyslexia Action Glasgow Centre.

What can I say? It was without doubt a tough one. Even after months of training I really wasn’t prepared for the amount of pain I would have to endure in my glutes. Of course, I knew it would be uncomfortable and had used a towel to sit on, as I had for all my training sessions. But after 42,195 metres nothing would have saved me from the pain. In reality, being seated for over 3 hours is going to take its toll and there’s very little you can do to combat muscle fatigue and a lack of blood flow in th... ]]>Thu, 10 May 2012 11:02:39 GMTSunday (24 July) was a contrast of ups and downs.

Downs
Left my glasses in a Pizza restaurant 72 miles away.

Up
They are sending my glasses on to Canada for me to pick up.

Down
Flat Tyre

Up
Montana is far more beautiful than I thought. I can now see why they call it the State of the big skies.}~

Down
Still 211 miles away from the Rockies

Ups
I got my first glimpse of the Rockies today

But here are some pictures from 'The West'.


Please watch my latest video as I make my way up the Mississippi to Minneapolis and then on to Fargo.

You can catch up on my vlogs and updates here.  You can also follow my progress on my route map, and donate to my main charity, Dyslexia ActionWed, 09 May 2012 11:45:43 GMTI have been asked to write about myself being dyslexic but what I have found out is that I don't really think it is a part of me, it's just who I am.
I guess the most it has effected me is when I have to read out loud or when I am under pressure, such as exams. In some ways I think it has created me into the person I am because I feel that I don't really think the same way as other people. It's hard to explain, it feels like it's a mess and when I focus random things start to link together. The thing is though, for all I know you think like this too. So this could be a load of rubbish but I guess I will never know.
I am glad I am dyslexic. It's something that makes me different from anyone else, which I guess I like. It has made my life more interesting because I do like getting it wrong sometimes, then it helps me remember the next time.
I think that this might affect me in the future. I find it funny that if I have a child he might be... ]]>Fri, 11 May 2012 17:47:43 GMT
Don't forget you can sponsor me here, follow my route here, and be kept updated on Twitter.

Thanks
The Random Sam ]]>Thu, 10 May 2012 12:16:01 GMTJustTextGiving sponsoring me couldn't be easier!

100% of your text donation will go to It's ME! and there are no fees for this service. There's no cost to you for sending the text message and your free allowance/bundle won’t be deducted.

All you have to do is text TMMC01 and the amount you want to donate (£1, £2, £3, £4, £5, and £10) to 70070. It's as easy as that folks!

For example:



... ]]>Fri, 11 May 2012 14:13:18 GMTBBC news article reveals the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Education's concerns that "schools are being pushed into phonics by financial incentives"

A report, by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Education, says: "For cash-strapped schools the incentive to take advantage of the matched funding offered for phonics products and training will push them in the direction of synthetic phonics."

The report by the independent cross-party group of MPs goes on to say that "the message appear... ]]>Sat, 19 May 2012 00:03:44 GMT
Please make a donation to Dyslexia Action, the main charity I am supporting with my bicycle adventure.

You can also follow my progress on my blog. 

Thanks for watching!
Random Sam  ]]>Sat, 05 May 2012 04:49:13 GMT
Well, it seems like such a long time since my last blog so I’m sure there’s much to tell.

On the training front it continues to go well and have now rowed over 620,000 metres in 47 hours. I’ve shortened my distances considerably over the past two weeks to allow me to focus on some gym work to improve strength and core stability exercises. Sufficed to say, I have my good days and some bad ones too, but have remained motivated to train most evenings and weekends with the occasional night off to recover.

Its odd is some respect as although I really do like to keep fit, the gym has really taken over my life which is amazing and much unexpected. I never used to care much for weight training and cardio machines and would always run to keep in shape. The gym, whilst in the Army, used to be forced on me to a certain extent and was always seen as a place of hurt. Thanks to rowing, this has r... ]]>Fri, 11 May 2012 16:17:01 GMT
 

 











Tue, 15 May 2012 12:42:05 GMT
Share your thoughts on this?

You can read the article in full here. ]]>Fri, 18 May 2012 00:08:05 GMT
Please watch and support Dyslexia Action and the It's ME! Appeal here.

You can also visit my blog and follow my progress here.

Thank you!
Random Sam ]]>Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:28:53 GMT
Please support Dyslexia Action and the It's ME! Appeal here.

Visit my blog and follow my progress on The Random Way Home here.  ]]>Mon, 07 May 2012 18:22:47 GMT
Follow my travels here.  Please support Dyslexia Action here.

 

 


Please support Dyslexia Action and the It's ME! Appeal here.

Visit my blog and follow my progress here. ]]>Wed, 09 May 2012 14:58:57 GMTVirgin London Marathon in 2012!

As the world's biggest one-day annual fundraising event this is is a really important day for Dyslexia Action and It's ME! Appeal, enabling us to reach more children, young people, and often forgotten adults, with dyslexia who are in desperate need of support through the It's ME! Learning Fund.

I've only ever spectated but it is the most incredible atmosphere. You can'... ]]>Mon, 23 Apr 2012 08:45:08 GMThere.

To see where I am on the route you can follow my route map.

To donate to the charities that I am supporting visit my fundraising page. ]]>Thu, 10 May 2012 14:39:03 GMT
Training

Training for my challenge continues and the hours and distances are starting to rack up. I passed the half a million metre mark a few days ago, 527,475 metres to be exact which has taken just over 40 hours. When I think back to when my training first started way back in February it doesn’t sound a lot but for me it seems like it has taken over my whole life! I’m normally train after work, so I don’t get to the gym until about 6.30 pm, and will row between 30 to 120 minutes. I row at the Velocity gym in Farnborough so if you recognise me just say hi. I’ll normally weight train too just to vary my routine and keep it interesting. So far I’m injury free and hope it stays that way. That’s not to say I’m not in pain! For those of you that have tried rowing for more than 30 minutes on a Concept 2 rower will know that it’s no mean feat and it’s amazing how your body resp... ]]>Tue, 08 May 2012 23:54:14 GMT
Check out my Facebook page to see them.

If you want to make a donation visit my website. ]]>Wed, 09 May 2012 12:55:12 GMT
From 14th - 20th May 2011 is Adult learners week. Please tell us what your experience has been; do you think that it is too late once you have left school; what experience of adult education have you had and what would you recommend to others?

Find out more about Adult Learners Week here and more about Fri, 18 May 2012 00:15:59 GMT
Just a quick update on my training. I’m pleased to say all is going well and I completed my first training marathon on Saturday the 26th of April. Without doubt it was one of the toughest physical activities I’ve done in a long while and I’m now truly apprehensive about what lies ahead and how my body will cope with the stresses of 26 marathons in such a short space of time. I physically did struggle with the last 10,000 metres and put this down to glycogen debt, commonly known as hitting the wall. However, I completed it in 3 hours 34 minutes which is a respectable time.

That being said, I am now a seriously worried man, but, with the continued support being received through facebook, twitter and the steady stream of kind donations being made, will only serve to motivate and spur me on.

For now I will continue to train hard, work with the Dyslexia Action Centres around the country to help promote this event and generate other idea... ]]>Thu, 03 May 2012 14:56:29 GMTThu, 10 May 2012 16:51:28 GMT
I don’t think that experience made me stronger personally in any way. It simply worsened my self-confidence and set me back. I constantly compared myself to my friends and siblings and found it very hard to be me. After my mother witnessed the teacher humiliating me, I was whipped away from that school so fast my feet didn’t touch the ground, but by then I was so accustomed to disguising myself and strived so hard at being someone I wasn’t, I became completely lost for a time. It is exhausting being insecure, back then my only pleasure was role-playing, singing, dancing and being someone else. I had always dreamed of being a writer, ... ]]>Mon, 07 May 2012 23:19:39 GMT 
My wish is to have a brother or sister or a dog. I ask mummy for a dog every day of my whole life. We are going to move soon and mummy says we can now get a dog. So my wish is going to come true. Cool!! ]]>Tue, 15 May 2012 11:39:42 GMT
http://www.therandom.co.uk/the-random-way-home/
http://www.justgiving.com/therandomwayhome1

Random Sam ]]>Thu, 10 May 2012 13:55:02 GMT
Welcome to my first ever blog – how exciting!

May I start by saying how pleased I am to receive some very kind messages on facebook from soo many friends willing to support my challenge and the It’s ME appeal. It’s a great feeling and it never ceases to amaze me how positive people can be and how only too kind they are to offer support for this amazing charity and hidden disability.

I’m also now a fully fledged member of twitter, @millionmetreman, which is something very new and dare I say exciting. I appear to have a few followers already which is encouraging and will only help to further spread the word of my challenge. Thanks to Becky Marshall for coming up with the name. Feel free to follow me too.

My training is going well and I have already been rowing for what seems like an eternity. I started way back in February as soon as the idea came about, initially starting with short rows of 3 to 5 minutes at a ... ]]>Mon, 07 May 2012 21:28:40 GMT
I was so annoyed by this that I did some research and found that at the 2010 general election there were twice as many seats with 12 candidates than there were with 3 that there were over 71% of seats with more than 6 candidates.

The thought of having to chose the order of the names and then number them fills me with dread. I can imagine wondering if I got it right for weeks afterwards.

I have asked about this and I am simply told either that I don't need to fill them all in, but then I feel I am not worth as much as people who are not dyslexic or that I would be provided with someone to help me in the polling booth then I wonder do they know how many of us there are , how would they tell and why should I be forced to reveal I need help voting.

It also occurred to me that if we don't need to fill them all in why don't we just stay with first past the post? ]]>Fri, 06 Apr 2012 21:49:56 GMT
So Chapter 2 is here and its little insight into what my trip might be like as I go for a mini tour around Essex and Suffolk.

Enjoy....

Random Sam

http://www.therandom.co.uk/the-random-way-home/
http://www.justgiving.com/therandomwayhome1
]]>Thu, 10 May 2012 16:12:06 GMT I have worked in theatre, film, TV, radio, and computer generated games for over the last 12 years. I have accomplished quite a lot in this time but always seem to come to a stumbling block to move forward in my craft. I was first diagnosed with dyslexia in March 2009, prior to that I had gone through my life with not much academic ability, leaving school without any real qualifications. I have studied on four different courses throughout my life and only finishing one of those courses which was a one year drama scholarship in London. The problem I had stemmed from all the way back to my childhood, I could communicate fine orally but found real difficulty in putting my thoughts down on paper. Throughout my early life I’d spent most of my time struggling with the written work I needed to do and because I was quite articulate I was told I was lazy not trying hard enough. My frustration came more fr... ]]>Fri, 11 May 2012 13:40:18 GMT
After diagnosis I received more support (although was made to feel fairly useless by my bos... ]]>Tue, 08 May 2012 19:33:38 GMTIt's Me! Learning fund.

In this video I talk about my experiences and the reasons that I passionately support this campaign. ]]>Tue, 08 May 2012 16:25:50 GMT
I'm Sam, my friends (and perhaps worryingly family) call me Random Sam or just The Random. My video will explain it all but basically I am flying to New York at the beginning of May to start what I've called The Random Way Home. To start with this involves cycling solo across and then down North America. If I'm still fighting fit I hope to make it to Central America and then down the length of South America!

This won't be a race and with my love of photography I am hoping to take in some of the amazing sights America has to offer, but I am doing this for charity. Wed, 09 May 2012 17:33:27 GMTThu, 17 May 2012 14:31:17 GMTFri, 11 May 2012 15:52:16 GMTBramley Golf Club, I have been lucky enough to make three visits to the club, in Guildford.

My first visit was to their AGM back in October 2009, where I spoke to the members about dyslexia and the support we are able to provide as a result of donations. Janette was well aware of the struggles faced by those with dyslexia, as two family members have dyslexia, however she told me how suprised she had been at how little others knew about dyslexia and it's impact. Hopefully by attending and talking at Bramley we have improved awareness of this hidden disability to a few more people.

I was then lucky enough to go ba... ]]>Tue, 08 May 2012 15:12:00 GMT
My name is Danny Bartlett, I am running the London Marathon for Dyslexia Action this year and would very much appreciate all the support and donations I can get to ensure I get at least £1,500 for this amazing charity! I am myself dyslexic and know how valuable help can be to someone with a learning difficulty so please do give as much as you can :)

http://www.justgiving.com/Danny-Bartlett

Thank you :) ]]>Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:14:12 GMT
So this is my account of the trubles and joys of be Dyslexic within businesses.

From school I went to colleage..... not the easyest thing to do for me....(at this point my dyslexia was bad I had a reading and writing age of 10 and 11).
I kept with the family theme of Engineering, and went to a general engineering course.

After 2 years I failed! No big surprise there, but I did lern a lot, I found that things like advanced maths, Micro electronics and CAD where my strong points and Material propertties, European studdies where not!

So I decided to get a job as education was not for me.

I got my first full time job as a timber delivery driver.
Well not the most enspiring job but it payed the bills....
After about 6 months I was looking for a career and not a job.
At this point the old Transport Manager had left, so I was offered the job.... ]]>Sat, 12 May 2012 11:38:52 GMTPeople with dyslexia just have a problem with reading and spellingDo you agree or disagree? What does dyslexia mean for you? ]]>Fri, 18 May 2012 00:10:07 GMT
So naturally fund-raising goes hand in hand with these outlandish ideas! and I decided to support Dyslexia Action and the It’s ME! appeal as I thought I'd give back to a system that helped me.

Me and Dyslexia - Like it or loath it, I am dyslexic and that is that. Yes I hated school, books and learning. I have always found it difficult to fit and not look stupid all the time. That is until A levels, which was when my interest in engineering started to show. As you can probably have guessed I am a visual learner and so physical structures and logic makes total sense, where a... ]]>Wed, 09 May 2012 21:30:48 GMTSat, 05 May 2012 11:05:47 GMTSun, 15 Apr 2012 04:18:09 GMTWhat stories were you told as a child?  The whole of 2011 is also the BBC Year of Books.

BBC Radio 2's Chris Evans Breakfast Show today announced a Fri, 11 May 2012 19:18:25 GMTNational Storytelling Week and we want to know what favourite stories you were told as a child? Do you have fond memories of Wind in the Willows, or where you more partial to The Railway Children, or were you told made up stories of mythical creatures and secret goings on?

Please share favourite stories were told to you in your childhood. ]]>Fri, 11 May 2012 16:00:29 GMT I go to the Dyslexia Action twice a week, I’m taught by Trish. I found out I was dyslexic in year 5. To be honest at first I hated going to Dyslexia Action it was nothing against the teachers or the place I just didn’t see how going there would help me. I saw it as if I was being told I had to do work while all my friends were having fun. My mum, dad, teachers and family all told me it was for the best and now I think of it (although I hate to admit it) they were right.
Dyslexia, as far as I’m concerned, is taking longer to do some think whether that’s: spelling, reading or hand writing. But it’s NOT AN EXCUSE. Dyslexia is just another problem but you have to learn to overcome it. I know it will never go away, I hate the thought I will have it forever but over the years I have learnt it doesn’t stop me from doing anything. I know that’s super cheesy but it’s so true.
Trish has helped me so m... ]]>Wed, 09 May 2012 15:59:33 GMT
I meant to put this up last year but here it is, my video from the It's ME! Launch event.

Thanks to everyone who has posted here and shared their stories, watch my video and you'll understand how much this means to me.

Gavin ]]>Thu, 10 May 2012 17:16:26 GMT
It has taken me a while to come through the other side as it were, but I am gradually doing that. My frustration has often been that I had thoughts and developed ideas in my head, but I couldn't get them out. I didn't have the confidence and self-belief to do anything. That has changed. I have gained a Masters Degree, which was a lot of hard work, but when I went up to collect the Award I felt like raising my arms high just like a footballer scoring a goal.

I am still working through regrets and resetting myself, and a part of that is now work... ]]>Fri, 04 May 2012 14:49:15 GMT
Apparently this 'Blue Monday' is either to be the 3rd Monday after the New Year or the Last Monday of the last full week in January, although it is is the second one that actually, the saddest day of 2011 is next week!

Are you feeling the effects of the most depressing day of the year?  Are you sceptical of a day based on a seriously dubious equation that originated as an advertising gimick? Or do you have something to feel rubbish about today? Or perhaps you have something to be cheerful about this Monday?

Let's face the year ahead is going to be a tough one and like all things we can either embrace the misery or soldier on inspite of it.  I think that 2011 promises to actually be an exciting year for the It's ME! appeal.  We will face some challenges but we have made decisions that hopefully will help us meet those head on.  As of January... ]]>Thu, 17 May 2012 11:50:36 GMTLari Don has been commissioned by Barrington Stoke, who specialise in publishing books for dyslexic readers, to write a story specifically for girls. At present, most literature designed to help young people with dyslexia is aimed at boys as it was previously thought that they were three times more likely to be dyslexic than girls. However, new evidence shows girls are just more likely to cope better with dyslexia, meaning their symptoms can go unnoticed for years before they receive specialist tuition. Ms Don was tasked with writing a book to capture the imaginations of girls who struggle with reading, and she decided to tell the tale of an adventurous mythical heroine, the Sumerian goddess Inanna..

Currently literature for children with dyslexia is aimed at boys.  This is because previous it was thought that boys are three times more likely to be dyslexic than girls.

Yet new evidence shows that girls ju... ]]>Tue, 15 May 2012 14:38:45 GMTjust wanted to say that I was only asssed in my 30's when I started making odd mistakes at work.. i got though school, college and uni without knowing! BUT now that i do it all makes sence and i have since got my Masters ! I applied for the DSA and got Dragon v.10 - that speach to text softwear is amazing.
I'm also dispraxic too.

L ]]>Wed, 09 May 2012 13:16:06 GMTI was recently reading The saturdays' autobiography Our Story and a section of the book was so relevent to me and that was Mollie King being open about her dyslexia. In it she talks about how reading and revision took her 10 times longer than everyone else. Although I am not dyslexic I am dyspraxic but still can relate to many things which mollie talks about such has having a really rubbish short term memory. Mollie is proof that you shouldn't let a condition hold you back. I used to be lacking in confidence about telling people about my difficulties. Although as I've got older I've developed my own coping strategies my self esteem was really low. But reading how open mollie is has boosted my confidence endlessly and I feel able to open up to people a lot easier. Mollie is a real in... ]]>Tue, 08 May 2012 21:31:53 GMTTue, 10 Apr 2012 18:31:38 GMT My friends don't unstained dyslexia and I am the only one in my class who has dyslexia I wish I just had someone who i know who have it and worked like me.
I watched 'Don’t Call me Stupid' Kara Tointon show and i really enjoy it. It showed that there are people in the world just like me. And Kara is doing something she really wants to do it made me think I could do want a want to do. Thanks for giving me hope. :) ]]>Fri, 11 May 2012 00:42:09 GMT
You can probably tell by my spelling that I’m doing this on a word processing programme before submitting it!

I was diagnosed with dyslexia when I was 15, after struggling for years with my reading and spelling mainly which in turn affected my writing ability as I’d choose to use small words over big ones if I couldn’t spell them (I still do if even spell check doesn’t pick them up!).

My foreign languages teacher at school was the first person to suggest that I was dyslexic and as I told my English teacher she said ‘don’t be ridiculous, it would be a waste of money to have you tested,’ however my parents kicked up such a fuss I think the school felt they had to send me for a test! At that point my spelling age was that of an 8 year old (reading/writing weren’t much better!).

My dyslexia affects my everyday life as I am horrendously disorganised and l... ]]>Wed, 28 Mar 2012 01:20:31 GMT
Please note that this is not the view of Dyslexia Action and is just a statement for debate. ]]>Wed, 16 May 2012 14:32:11 GMT
I felt the same allot of damage was done.
Placed in a number of classes less standard to my intelligence disrupting me from my normal pattern and friends. The education was a repetition...See more

Dyslexia group - Copy and past link below:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_106864549382789&ap=1#!/home.php?sk=group_106864549382789&ap=1#!/kgleeson3 ]]>Fri, 11 May 2012 10:32:31 GMTFri, 11 May 2012 07:03:51 GMTWell Im lucky i dont know what that would feel like but i knewsomeone that did. In June 2010 i lost my partner at the age of 30 years old to suicide. Behind him he left our 3 year old son our beautiful life and a lot of broken hearts. You are probably wondering how does this fit in to Dyslexia? Well I'll tell you. Lee had always found reading and writting very difficult in school but it was just thought that he had learning difficulties and he spent most of his life in bottom classes. Everyoneknows that high school can be tough and for lee it was, he was only a little kid that couldnt read or write properly and eventally bullying started to take place. When you are being bullied... ]]>Thu, 10 May 2012 00:43:26 GMTWed, 09 May 2012 21:46:07 GMTFri, 11 May 2012 10:32:53 GMTI am Noelani I am 11 yrs old i have problems with my splleings and maths reading I live with my mum. No one eles has dlexk just me in family i don't why me. Oh yaer and I have problems with my numbers it my dvshin and all that stff. And i do stff with out thinking I have anger problems i don't get that much help in school i have lots , frends one them really colse to me but not saying name srroy. My grammyer not that good ever I am forgetfull I have poor memroy. Can eny one help me please.

]]>Tue, 08 May 2012 07:08:36 GMTMon, 07 May 2012 18:45:12 GMT
I'm 22 year old, in my second year of uni studying Human resouse management. I have always had a problem with reading, writing and spelling. I only found I was dyslexia when i started uni. Before hand I was making my way as a chef.

I'm mainly on hear to night as i'm stuck. I a have finance report due on 10th November, and I just need to do the Recommendation. However, I just can't do it right now as there is a long going on around me. The TV, Play station and lots of talking and just can't get down to do.
Any ideas?
Also I don't want to go up stairs as no table. ]]>Thu, 19 Apr 2012 02:23:27 GMTWed, 09 May 2012 01:26:46 GMTI found out I had dyslexia when I was 17, when I had to retake my English GCSE at college.
I think my story is a prime example, as I was always told through school I was lazy and to try harder.
With the support of my teachers at college and the funding while I was at Uni meant that I could follow my career dreams and now can't wait to start a new adventure in Marketing.

Don't let Dyslexia hold you back ]]>Tue, 08 May 2012 13:33:39 GMTFri, 11 May 2012 23:42:18 GMTMy nose is blunt and my ears are big .
My eyes are brown and my friends are like clowns.
Sometimes I'm dozy and sometimes i'm happy, and sometimes i'm sad and bad and mad.
I dont really care what wondders around me, I really just join with the fun you see.
When I am left out i do get bored, so then i go and do some more. ]]>Sat, 25 Feb 2012 08:45:14 GMTTue, 08 May 2012 04:53:20 GMTI am now 22 and because of going to college they put me in for a dyslexia test and it came out as i ... ]]>Wed, 09 May 2012 17:18:17 GMTFri, 11 May 2012 05:52:27 GMTTue, 08 May 2012 17:40:28 GMTMon, 07 May 2012 18:51:36 GMTMon, 14 May 2012 06:54:11 GMTFri, 11 May 2012 01:16:18 GMT
We finally decided to get them both assessed as they seemed to be struggling at school. I have at every parents evening suggested that they may be dyslexic and that dyslexia is in the family, but have never had much response. I never pushed for an assessment as I thought as teachers and this being their job they would recognise a problem.

The assessments took place the week before they broke up for the Summer holiday and immediately Ashley was assessed as severely dyslexic! As for Elouise I was told her test scores would be added up and I would get the report within 2 weeks. So I was unsure whether she was... ]]>Mon, 26 Mar 2012 21:57:22 GMT
I set up 'Chokolit' (how i spelt chocolate) at the age of 12 making chocolates for local delis, I became Sainsbury's, Waitrose and Selfridges youngest ever supplier and now after 6 years in buisness am the UK's most qualified chocolatier.

My chocolate is now in Mexico, America and Hungary as well as here in the UK.

Now only 18 I have prooved to myself and others around me that you can overcome dyslexia, it can be a gift not a hinderence. For example my chocolate ideas, edible chocolate box, edible champage flute and e... ]]>Fri, 11 May 2012 06:57:48 GMTThu, 10 May 2012 14:46:23 GMTWed, 28 Mar 2012 08:56:42 GMT
well done everyone! ]]>Tue, 28 Feb 2012 09:58:46 GMT
See you all next for the next one? ]]>Thu, 10 May 2012 15:56:05 GMT
From as young as I can remember at school, probably around 6 or 7 years of age I found numbers a problem. Basic maths were explained and explained to me but I just did not understand, teachers tried using cubes for me to count but it still made no sense to me. As I moved up to the Juniors it was the same; simple addition/division was impossible, fractions were another brick wall and the only thing I was able to learn was my times tables and that was only through a cassette tape my mum bought where they were sung to me.

Then came secondary school which brought new challenges and huge frustrations for me. Maths was now algebra, area and volume, triganomatry, more processes, formulas and worded maths problems which I just could not understand or comprehend. However, there was also now the challenge of Physics and Chemistry which ... ]]>Fri, 06 Apr 2012 07:34:09 GMTFri, 11 May 2012 18:37:12 GMT
It was such a wonderful event with kids, friends, parents and grandparents all turning out to take part.




I was the first person to be 'It' and I only managed to tag three people out of the 225, and one of those was my wife who I think let me tag her!

I'm President of Dyslexia Action and I've been dyslexic all my life. I always struggled at school so when the charity approached me and asked me to be President I jumped at chance to get involved and help other people with the condition.

There are lots of people with dyslexia, and it's not just children at school who struggle, there ... ]]>Fri, 11 May 2012 18:28:56 GMTWed, 09 May 2012 15:29:15 GMT
The week began with a shed-load of deliveries including t-shirts, bags, flyers, posters, drinks, stationery and pop-up signs! It was more than a little chaotic in the Fundraising Office, as we worked around the boxes. Then Wednesday came with the stuffing of goodie bags and packing up of event boxes, as well as the exciting news that Theo Paphitis will be a special guest at the It's ME! launch event in October!

The end of the week has been taken over with sending out Launch Event admittance cards, checking numbers registered for Hide and Seek (if all registered participants turn up we will have enough people to break the record - fingers crossed), among a million and one other tasks!

So if you can make it on Sunday for Hide and Seek, forgive us if we are still catching our breath from a hectic week If you can't be ther... ]]>Mon, 07 May 2012 18:38:47 GMT
Time for the next update.

So my brilliant colleagues Hannah and Kerry have created, developed and planned the Hide and Seek event for our It's ME! Appeal. This great event is about making sure that dyslexia, a 'hidden disability' does not remain a hidden cause. Its also about having a laugh and breaking the world record for the most people in a game of Hide and Seek!

But it has a serious side, you have to have a thorough registration process and keep to game regulations in order to be considered as a new World Record. Today we had our volunteer briefing and there is a lot to think about.

With a week and a bit to go, its so exciting. If you want to join in please do Register now to play Hide and Seek! - you will make Hannah's day, as she is now keeping a close eye... ]]>Mon, 05 Mar 2012 22:04:52 GMTFri, 11 May 2012 01:14:16 GMT
I am Sally Gardner the writer and this is My It's ME! video story.

Sally ]]>Thu, 10 May 2012 06:21:24 GMTSo until my next ramble, ta-ra! ]]>Fri, 11 May 2012 19:26:40 GMT
It's ok to have a go.

Reading was a scary thought,
big large books were rarely bought.
The words did jump and move around.
Frustration came and this I found.

Spelling words was just the same and
I always got unjustly blamed.
The letters moved inside my mind,
desperately looking for their line.
The words did jump and move around.
Sadness came and this I found.

The day arrived that I would know
The reason for all this woe.
Dyslexia was the name they gave.
My confidence was finally saved!

The words still jump and move around but I
have found green is the colour that sticks them down
Reading aloud is still so slow but now I know to have a go.
I will always need that spelling bee
but now I know it rhymes with tree.

So now you can see
D... ]]>Sat, 31 Mar 2012 01:52:42 GMT
This poem has been published in The Jumble Book anthology edited by Roger Stevens, which is printed on yellow paper, features many brilliant poets and raises money for Dyselxia Action. You can find out more about the show and my work in schoo... ]]>Fri, 11 May 2012 03:31:56 GMT
My family do not have much money, meaning when I was at school I did not get the extra help I needed, we could not afford for me to be assessed. I came from a council estate where there was always trouble, which I was frequently involved in.

I found it hard at school. I was the kid at the back of the class staring at the floor, messing around and disrupting the class; this meant that after a while I was seen as the bad kid. This meant the other pupils started to bully me; they found it funny as they knew I would always react to them. No one knew I had dyslexia and my grades were not good. I wish I had known about it early on because I might have done better at school. I finished school and went straight to work in a builder’s yard, but I found it was not for me. I then worked ... ]]>Wed, 09 May 2012 17:51:37 GMTMon, 30 Apr 2012 18:06:21 GMTHowever, to ensure that you have the opportunity to be heard on subjects and topics important to you please post below your ideas and suggestions for debate topics.

We will do our best to use as many of your ideas and suggestions as is possible and over the coming months the debating tool and poll is something that we will be developing.
]]>Sat, 12 May 2012 15:37:15 GMT
I've always tried to teach her as much as I can at home, trying to prepare her early to be a good student, and make learning easier on her than it was for me. But recently I have noticed her getting frustrated when I correct her on the order of things, like she knows what she sees and feels bad I'm telling her otherwise.

I want to learn more about Dyslexia, and gather any information that might help me to assist her in learning easier.

Any ... ]]>Tue, 08 May 2012 00:49:21 GMT
My friends helped me a lot, they helped me a lot more than I thought they would, when I first found out I didn't tell anyone because I thought they would laugh at me but they were very supportive.

Currently this year I am writing a novel, and my second book is about dyslexia I know I'm only 14 but Dyslexia is part of my life and I feel it's important for other people to accept it and complete all their goals in life even if they want to be a Writer, a Politician or an Actor; it is all possible with Dyslexia. Agatha Christie, Robin Williams, Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein and Jamie Oliver are all Dyslexic and if they can over come it so can we! ]]>Tue, 08 May 2012 05:27:46 GMTFri, 11 May 2012 01:10:43 GMTWed, 09 May 2012 18:46:34 GMT
Our daughter has just started school and while we do not think she is dyslexic we both know the importance of having good literacy skills. I Therefore think It's ME! is a fantastic way to increase support for people like my wife and the many thousands affected by dyslexia. ]]>Tue, 08 May 2012 14:55:36 GMT
My grandmother started noticing i was struggling alot with remember spelling getting words mixed up not being able to remember times tables. So she came into school and helped out. I had extra lessons all the way up too 4th year when my teacher thought i would not need it!

Still too this day when in class one in junior school I remember these books I was on each stage got harder. I would normally read too my mum or too my grandmother but this day I had to read too my dad, well.......... I could not say a few words one of the words being because so my dad wrote it down in my reading book to show the teacher the next day. My dads writting not being the best!!! i was... ]]>Wed, 09 May 2012 23:14:39 GMTTue, 08 May 2012 01:27:36 GMT
This has not stopped me from trying to do the best I can to have a normal life. I am happily married and climbed the lader in my career. I also hope to achive alot more in my time!

I find that I think alot more practically than the average person which is a good thing to me as I am in the mechanics trade.

I am really happy to find that there are alot of other people that are trying to help out dyslexic people!!!

Thanks it's ME!! ]]>Wed, 09 May 2012 23:29:55 GMT
Proud to be Dyslexic, Proud to think DIFFERENTLY, Proud to think more DYNAMICALLY!!!

I’m really keen on Dyslexia Action and think this site is such a great idea. As a parent I’m having to constantly address the impact my learning differences have in supporting my children and their education. It’s possibly one of the hardest issues I have to face. I’m not academic but need to support in an academic field.

I was delighted to hear that the one of the leading National Dyslexia groups re-classified dyslexia as a learning difference, not disability. We are not lesser because of thinking differently or taking in information in a different way. I have long been committed to the thought that as dyslexic’s we learn and use coping tools to counter our diffe... ]]>Thu, 10 May 2012 03:44:04 GMTTue, 08 May 2012 06:33:35 GMTI'm not dyslexic myself but so many people in my life are. My mum certainly is and many of my friends from school have now found out they are dyslexic at the same time their children were assessed.

They are all amazing people and each has gone on to be very succesful in their own way. Dyslexia should never hold you back from achieving as with the right support you can succeed in education and in life.

The world is a richer place thanks to the wonderful minds of dyslexic individuals.

]]>Thu, 10 May 2012 00:27:56 GMT
My experience in education hasn't been great, I've either been looked down up on as stupid or a waste of space, or seen as a "special case" and been patronized given the wrong advice and spat out of the education system.

Primary School:
I started primary school aged 4. In general I enjoyed my time in primary school. But between the ages of 5 and 7yrs old (which is when I think a child learns t... ]]>Thu, 26 Apr 2012 02:12:34 GMT
visit my website to see what I'm up to at the moment
]]>Thu, 17 May 2012 14:31:44 GMT
I even have to have Dyslexia lesson once a week in my school lunch hour with Pat & Jan who are great but it is expenisive my Mum and Dad say but worth it as well. I forget a lot of things wich makes my mum and Dad cross sometimes when i misplace things and get upset as well.

Kenny my Dad says you were quiet good at Rugby once, if you fancy a game some time give me a shout! ]]>Wed, 09 May 2012 06:03:46 GMTWed, 09 May 2012 01:52:10 GMTTue, 08 May 2012 05:26:48 GMTAlways forgets where she parked her car. ]]>Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:38:50 GMT
I always thought i was clever, I found Maths & Science easy, but i always underachieved at exams, and eventually gave up trying, and got myself a career in banking (note to to others: it's expensive being a bank cashier with dyslexia)

In my 30's I had an opportunity to rethink my life, and I applied to go to university & study Physics. I was accepted on the basis of my maths results, and my age (I had never done Physics at school..... too many 'word questions')

As a part of the Mature Student programme I was screened for dyslexia, and told that i probably was dy... ]]>Wed, 09 May 2012 06:55:37 GMTFri, 11 May 2012 18:45:25 GMT
I’m lucky my parents spotted my dyslexia early as I was born with hearing problems. I was given a lot of support in my early years to help me learn to manage my dyslexia. It was never a problem until I hit about 15 when I no longer wanted to be ‘different’. As a stubborn teenager I rarely told anyone I was dyslexic and few people guessed, but looking back I wish I’d been more open and used the benefits, such as the extra time I was offered, it would have made things much easier!

Now, at 31, I’m grateful to my dyslexia for making me an individual,... ]]>Sat, 07 Apr 2012 01:18:57 GMTWed, 09 May 2012 04:17:55 GMTSat, 12 May 2012 06:01:48 GMTWed, 09 May 2012 17:09:12 GMTThu, 10 May 2012 22:26:40 GMTSat, 03 Mar 2012 01:37:39 GMTWed, 09 May 2012 22:24:57 GMT
I have been very lucky that I have had supportive teachers, friends and family and have always been determined to achieve - or more determined to proof that I am not stupid! I have done well accedemically and have a top class honours degree in Human Biology and I have many years experience working in communications.

I am passionate about dyslexia as a cause and my message to others is that dyslexia need not and should not be a barrier to success but if you are struggling as the result of any sort of literacy difficulty there is no shame in asking for help and support. ]]>Fri, 11 May 2012 07:18:08 GMT