Dyslexic

There is something I need to share with you.  I am Dyslexic and proud of it. I have been pondering when to release this info about myself because there is a lack of understanding about Dyslexia. Perhaps my post can educate one person and help society change for the better.

What do I mean by being Dyslexic?  I have Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Dyscalculia. Let’s look at the differences.

Dyslexia – affects reading and comprehension.

Dysgraphia – affects handwriting, putting thoughts onto paper, and grammar skills.

Dyscalculia – affects the ability to understand a concept and do math.

What are the myths associated with being Dyslexic?

Having Dyslexia has nothing to do with intelligence. People who are Dyslexic have trouble decoding language when reading. There is no cure for Dyslexia because it is not a disease. It is a neurological condition causing the brain to have difficulty decoding language in written form, such as reading.

Children who are Dyslexic outgrow it. No they don’t. Dyslexic children become Dyslexic adults.

Why do people who are Dyslexic try to hide it?

Stigma. Being labeled with a lack of intelligence keeps a lot of Dyslexics living in the closet. I used to be one of them until I realized that people need to hear my story. This is the only way to change our society and help future generations of Dyslexic children and their parents.

How does being Dyslexic affect me?

Sometimes when I am talking, I struggle to find the correct word to use or pronouncing the word can be difficult. I love to read but some days it is hard to understand the context. The major struggle I face is Dysgraphia as this affects my writing skills. I wasn’t tested for it but I have it. Here’s why I know.

One day, I was researching Dysgraphia as I had never heard of it. After reading books and articles that described how it affects writing, I realized this was my issue in a nutshell!!

Dysgraphia affects my handwriting, organizing my thoughts on paper, and grammar and punctuation skills. Yet, I sit in front of the computer screen expressing myself in written communication because I can write well and I want my voice to be heard.

Am I afraid this revelation will hurt my writing career?

No. People have used, and will continue to use, my weaknesses against me. Unfortunately people can be cruel or close-minded.

As long as I provide an entertaining and well-edited novel for my readers, I will have a great career.

In Closing

I will be discussing Dyslexia in more detail and how it impacts my life in future blogs. In the meantime, I hope this post has given you a better understanding of being Dyslexic.