Did you find the easter eggs on the cover of the last issue?
[Easter eggs in literature is a secret message or inside joke.]
Dyslexia, even the word itself sounds scary. Well, that’s how it was for me many years ago. I always wondered why I had a hard time reading in grade school and I never wanted to read aloud. I had no idea it was a disability that could actually be treated.
Like many of you I had heard the word dyslexia, but wasn’t completely sure what it meant. So let's start with the definition:
“Dyslexia is a condition that affects as many as 15 percent to 20 percent of the population, according to the International Dyslexia Association. (1) It’s a language-based learning disability that involves many different symptoms. While it can’t be cured, it can certainly be treated, and the type of treatment an individual receives depends on the kind of dyslexia they’re experiencing.”
That didn’t help me much either. I knew from my own experience it was a learning disability, what I didn’t know is there are different types of dyslexia.
My Story. by Greta Harless [Publisher]
It was my senior year in college when I was asked by one of my vocal coaches if I was dyslexic. I told him I had no idea, but it sure would explain a lot. While I didn’t have trouble with numbers and was actually very proficient in math reading and spelling were always a struggle. I would spell word phonetically which would have been fine if there was “spell check” while I was attending school. Instead I had to memorize everything. I would read passages over and over to make sure I could pronounce the words before being called on in class. School I could mostly prepare for, however it was at church where I would have terrible anxiety. I would not volunteer to read scripture aloud and was scared to death when asked. I would try to politely decline, at least until someone started and I could look up the next verse.
After being asked by my professor, I took a test and found out I was indeed dyslexic. The form of my dyslexia is called Surface Dyslexia, which is sometimes referred to as visual dyslexia because individuals with this condition have difficulty recognizing words by sight. It’s important to keep in mind, though, that dyslexia doesn’t usually involve a problem with vision or eyesight — it’s caused by a difference in the way a person’s brain recognizes letters, numbers, and words. It’s important to note that dyslexia can mimic problems with vision. Which is the reason I was not diagnosed in high school. I was told I had vision problems even after an eye test, because I would mix the letters. Lucky I would not ware the proscribed glasses which would have alter my vision.
So why all this on dyslexia? It is still one of the most undiagnosed disabilities and now has the month of October dedicated to bring awareness. Hence the reason for the fall issue having the 2 Easter eggs.
So if you have always had difficulty reading or mixing letters or words, or if you have children with this issue. Please don’t wait to be tested. The earlier you are diagnosed the quicker you can be treated.