大象传媒

To find out more about Dyslexia Action听please go to:

Or write to: Dyslexia Action House,听10 High Street, Egham,听Surrey TW20 9EA.听
Or call: 01784 听222 324听

At the age of seven I was identified as dyslexic. Before that I can remember running after the car in tears when my dad dropped me at school each morning.

My journey to understand and manage my dyslexia started early but taking part in the 大象传媒 documentary 鈥楧on鈥檛 call me stupid鈥� in 2010 was an eye opener to how many aspects of my life were affected by my dyslexia. Difficulties in reading and writing meant that I hadn鈥檛 read a whole book since school and poor short term memory meant that learning lines was taking me hours longer than my acting colleagues. But I hadn鈥檛 realised that dyslexia had also had an impact on my personal organisation.

I often wonder what my life would be like if my dyslexia hadn鈥檛 been recognised at such a young age. 听Access to assessment and specialist support is not guaranteed for the 1 in 10 people in the UK who have dyslexia. This is why the work that Dyslexia Action does is so important; through their teaching centres and projects in communities across the UK they provide essential support to children, young people and adults with dyslexia and literacy difficulties.

Dyslexia Action is a national charity that takes action to change the lives of people with dyslexia and literacy difficulties.听听

Dyslexia is a hidden disability that affects approximately 10% of the population to varying degrees. It doesn鈥檛 affect intelligence but predominately causes difficulties with reading, writing and spelling. However, it is much more than just a difficulty with reading and can affect an individual in many other ways such as organisation, memory and / or mathematics.

Illiteracy is a huge issue that means reduced opportunities and life-long underachievement for those living with dyslexia and literacy difficulties but this also comes at the expense of our economy due to underemployment and unemployment.

Dyslexia Action is the largest dyslexia charity in the UK and has 40 years鈥� experience and knowledge of how best to help and support those affected by dyslexia and literacy difficulties.

The social impact of dyslexia is extensive. If you cannot learn to read, you cannot read to learn and everything we do at school and throughout life requires us to have the skills to be able to access written information. Above and beyond the difficulties and barriers dyslexia presents, is the damage that low self-esteem can have, which is life-long.

But with the correct help and support dyslexia and literacy difficulties need not be a barrier to education, employment and fulfilment. Dyslexia Action exists to ensure all those affected by such hidden disabilities get the help and support that they need.

As a charity, all money raised goes to ensuring we are able to continue our work, projects and to support learners through the Learning Fund.

Ben Lloyd Hunter was diagnosed with dyslexia when he was seven years old. At the age of six, Ben was still unable to read or write and found day-to-day life at school almost unbearable.听 Having suffered years of difficulties, Ben鈥檚 confidence and levels of self-esteem were at an all time low.听

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Ben said, 鈥淚 couldn't read, hardly.听 I couldn't write.听 I just didn't know what was happening. And I gave up on myself really.鈥�

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Ben鈥檚 mother, Ruth, witnessed her son become a shadow of a boy.听 Feeling helpless in the situation, it became a difficult time for the family.

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Ruth stated, 鈥淗e walked looking at the ground.听 He was a sad little boy.鈥�

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Fortunately, Ruth found Dyslexia Action and one of their specialist teachers transformed the life of her son and his prospects for the future.

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She said, 鈥淚t was fantastic to see the progress that Ben made.听 He has gone from strength to strength. She really did change his life.鈥澨�

Gavin Malcolm is a 34 year old, father of two who struggled through the first part of his education. His inability to read and write led to him being labeled as a child who was always causing trouble. Gradually Gavin became detached from classroom lessons completely.

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Gavin said, 鈥淭he teachers would say Gavin, you can do it, maybe next time. And I'd be like, help me. Please help me.鈥�

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Despite getting eight GCSE's, Gavin's funding for extra help ran out during his time at college, which made his educational life unmanageable again.

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He said, 鈥淚 just started smoking, hanging around with the wrong crowds.听 I was close to almost going to prison.鈥�

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Despite some setbacks, Gavin was greatly helped by his Dyslexia Action tutor, who helped him get his life and work prospects back on track. He has stayed in touch with her over the years.

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Gavin said, "It made me realise that anything's possible."