Being a Renegade

Being a Renegade

So from being small children, we are forced subconsciously to conform and fit in, see this where the fun begins. Personally, I think there is a combination of nature and nurture the way we view others, especially people that are different.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Therefore when it comes to education and the corporate world, the minority’s (in our case Dyslexics) are seen as different or even worse not even regarded as being different. Now when I say not being regarded as different I mean that dyslexia is still not recognised as a condition (bonkers first noted in the 1890’s). That’s a fundamental problem when it comes to neurodiversity, it’s hidden, not seen and therefore not comprehensible.

If you struggled to draw or walk it’s pretty evident and accepted you may need a little help or more time to get a similar result to others that have zero “issues” let’s say.

So what happens if you’re dyslexic, like severely dyslexic and the local authorities or even state don’t get it, in fact totally ignore you have an issue.

Well, that’s sort of what I want to cover in my article this month, see there are thousands of people experiencing these misconceptions, these blinkered views of the world which overall for society is not where we should be, is it ?.

So instead of conforming someone needs to stand up and be counted, someone needs to become a renegade, to change perceptions, to raise awareness and take action. Otherwise, the cycle of injustice and wasted talent continues over and over again.

I have a great example of a renegade, in fact, she goes by the name of “The Dyslexic Renegade”, she’s about to complete her second book “The Hall”, which follows her first attempt at publishing a book aptly titled “Dyslexic Renegade”. Oh, what I forgot to mention she’s only just turned 12, yes that’s right 12 . Severely dyslexic, 12 and amazingly writes books. I interviewed her recently, she lives in NYC, so, unfortunately, we had to conduct an internet interview. What’s more, she interviewed me as well, confidently asking questions for me to answer, it was a great experience (if your interested search Duggystone Podcast on Itunes Ep 30 https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/ep-30-the-one-with-the-dyslexic-renegade/id1157013388?i=1000382907516&mt=2 )

She told me she wrote the book to help other dyslexics understand they are not alone, what I particularly liked was she also wanted non-dyslexics to know what it was like. Now that is pretty cool thing to do. I think I found someone on the same wavelength as me, doing a similar thing but on the other side of the pond.

She’s even narrated the book so that those that struggle to read can get the message, another example of how amazing this young lady is. Now I am not the first person she’s interviewed either, see she liked the highlander program and was aware the author “Karen Marie Moning”,

also narrated for the same charity. So at the end of her recording, she gave a shout out to her. The result she got to meet her when in town and conducted an interview, amazing don’t you think.

One of the big issue dyslexics experience is due to having a high IQ (generally dyslexics have an average or above average IQ when tested), this gives a mixed message to the uninformed, they can’t compute that someone who is clever (for want of a better word), is also dyslexic and struggles with language. So this young amazing lady, who is severely dyslexic has not been afforded that extra help needed by someone with her brain power. So being put in a mainstream school with little or no consideration, her dyslexic mind struggled. She must get her drive from at least her mum (if not both parents), as her mum was not going to take this lying down, like all parents we want to afford our children the best opportunity in life we can. So what to do when the education department in NYC didn’t  provide some basic educational needs? Well, a lawsuit. Taking them to court to get justice is not a lighthearted thing to consider, it’s time-consuming, exhausting and puts pressure on everyone. They won the initial hearing and our Renegade was giving education in a dyslexic focused school. That’s great, think how you’d feel the next academic year when you’re told that “you’re ok now” get back to mainstream school. This has become a yearly battle to maintain the education, She needs to flourish and grow. I scratched my head when I heard this.

I can only presume writing a book, publishing it, doing well in the new environment and starting to write a second book, has resulted in “Oh she’s ok now let’s save some education dollars”. I cannot think of another reason, see dyslexia is not a curable illness, it’s not an illness. I say it’s not even a disability, it’s just another form of neurodivergence, what’s normally anyway, there is no such thing.

We need more Renegades, more people that stand up and are counted, educating those that need educated and showing dyslexic’s across the world, you are amazing.

My constant message you’ll hear from me over and over again is let’s change the perception of dyslexia, not just for the dyslexic families to understand but the education system, non-dyslexics and the corporate world. Like most things that are misunderstood, minority groups and those that need that extra help with education, awareness is key.

My parting thought is if someone of only 12 can achieve so much with the bad hand she’s been dealt, how many other Renegades are there in the world and what together we can all achieve.

So what are my tips for this month’s article;

1.     Don’t settle for second best, challenge be a renegade
2.     Stand up for what you know is right
3.     Just because you’re dyslexic does not mean you can’t write a book (hey I wrote this article)
4.     Having the right education results in confidence and achievement (2nd book !)

Check out the Dyslexic Renegade out on twitter  @DyslexiaRocks

Till next month

International Dyslexic Superhero