My dyslexic librarian – are certain jobs particularly suited to dyslexics or is their jobs for dyslexics?
Despite being a dyslexia specialist, even I was surprised when my local librarian told me she was dyslexic. As my mother said “I bet she left that off her application form”. Being dyslexic definitely makes me a better tutor; I imagine it makes her a more knowledgeable and sensitive librarian. I was just a little shocked, which made me realise that deep down I’m still a bit insecure about my own dyslexia. I personally know lots of teachers who are closet dyslexics, but dare we tell anyone?
Society seems to be content with the notion that the creativity of many dyslexics leads them to become successful artists, musicians, actors, designers and filmmakers. We also find it understandable that many seek fulfilment far from the world of books, a few becoming elite athletes, famous sports people or military heroes. With bullying rife, maybe we can all identify with fellow dyslexic Mohammed Ali sometimes. However, not all children are destined for physical or artistic excellence.
Lots of people talk about dyslexia as a gift, but do many people honestly believe this? I think that one of the biggest difficulties facing dyslexics is nothing to do with reading, writing or memory, but instead low expectations. If the 2003 Tulip Financial Research findings are accurate that 40% of self-made millionaires are dyslexic, then low expectations may be ill-founded. The ability to see the big picture and come up with innovative solutions to problems has produced billionaires like Richard Branson and a string of powerful U.S. presidents.
If you have this dyslexic mind, do particular doors open and others clang shut? Maybe. Because of their lateral thinking and spatial awareness, one famous practice of architects actually prefers to employ dyslexics. Should we all be architects? My drawing skills aren’t going to feed my cat, let alone me.
Whilst most dyslexics find school challenging and often are happier later in life when they can pursue the things they are good at, there are always exceptions. Counter-intuitively, it’s possible to find famous dyslexic role models in heavily paper-based careers like the law or that require many years of arduous study, such as doctors.
If you imagine one of the few careers you’d never get dyslexics in would be writing, guess again! Whether you’re more interested in the critical acclaim of WB Yeats, or the wealth of Agatha Christie, I guess the lesson is not to write people off. With the right help in the right ways, dyslexia doesn’t have to stop you achieving your dreams, whatever they are, and it might even be a benefit!
Some food for thought: if the rumours of a possible cure for dyslexia become a reality, should we want it? Would the world be a better place without the achievements of Leonardo da Vinci, the films of Walt Disney, the stories of Hans Christian Anderson, the music of Lennon or Mozart, the art of Picasso, the buildings of Lord Rogers, the discoveries of Thomas Edison, the victory of Winston Churchill, or the genius of Albert Einstein?
Ghotit host from time to time guest blog posts about dyslexia.
The writers of these posts may be dyslexics, dyslexic family members, dyslexic tutors, teachers, assistive technology specialists or any other writer as long as the post provides quality information about dyslexia.
This hosted post by The Tutor Pages.
Originally this blog was posted in 2012 since then potentially employers started to look how a candidate look in the social network and that can be a real problem to many people with dyslexia.
A personal note: always try to be creative, think out of the box and look at Ghotit’s Software and Apps designed to help dyslexics.
