Although I had several problems at school I was not
diagnosed as being dyslexic until I was 17, by this time
I was attending a further education college. I am now
thirty six and although I accept that over 20 years ago
dyslexia was not commonly recognised, it is still a very
sore point with me that even today few education
authorities test for dyslexia. When or rather if
dyslexia is found, help to say the least, is variable to
non-existent.

Looking at our family history we can trace dyslexia
through my side of the family, with other family members
having a high level of difficulties with language and
written skills. This unfortunately serves to make the
feelings of lack of academic skills more pronounced. I
would think to myself "If I can't do this, then I must
be stupid?"

I don't remember much of early years at school, only
that playtime was my favourite period. While at junior
school I began to notice I couldn't keep up with the
rest of the class. The board was always turned over
before I had finished copying. I was several reading
levels below my class mates and poor reading skills
meant poor comprehension skills. When I was 10 and in my
last class at junior school my class teacher gave me
many individual reading lessons. This with home support
began to help develop my reading fluency.

Unfortunately on entering senior school I was still
behind in many areas. One of these being self confidence
this led to being bullied for a period. Fortunately, my
Grandfather taught me how to fight (an unusual thing to
teach a girl in the '70's), something I will be forever
grateful for.

I tried very hard for the first 2/3 years of senior
school. Only to find myself frequently criticised and
occasionally ridiculed by teachers. During my 3rd year I
remember wishing I could go and clean toilets rather
than go to school. I put little if any effort into
working for my CSE's, because by that stage I didn't
believe I was capable of achieving much anyway.

In spite of my attitude I gained 6 CSE's 4 at grade 2!
I went on to do nursery nursing and got my NNEB
certificate. People tend to say things like,
"Considering your problems you did well". I want to
shout that I've been short changed, I would have liked
to have done 'A' levels and trained to be a special
needs teacher. This being said I don't regret my life, I
have worked with children who have special needs. I hope
I have put my own experiences to good use, if only to
encourage these children that they ARE worthy of respect
from others and self!

Today I am at peace with myself, but it took many years.
I no longer doubt my intellect or feel the need for
approval from others. I still find it hard to follow
written instructions, but my word processor has opened
up a whole new world of making myself understood. I
hated school and found the experience humiliating, but
there is a plus, because my written skills are weak I've
learnt two new skills;

1 Speaking If you can't write it say it. I now do
public speaking on several topics.
2 Memory If you can't do dictation, then learn to
remember facts, this helps to pass exams.

I, like my father and probably his farther before him
have been blessed with a vivid imagination. I now have
the confidence to use this to try and get my children's
stories published. I know I may not succeed, but I can
hold my head up in the knowledge that I am not afraid to try.