# 2.1 Testimonials

The following are reflections of what living with dyslexia and/or obtaining support means:

> ‘Reading has nothing to do with intelligence. It’s just one way of getting information. The important thing is how a person processes that information, the kind of person we are, the contributions we make, and the kind of utility we have society.’

David Boies, Lawyer. Referred to by the New York Times as ‘the lawyer everyone wants’. Lawyer of the Year (National Law Journal); Anti-trust Lawyer of the Year (New York Bar Association); Commercial Litigator of the Year (Who’s Who).

> ‘Because of my dyslexia, my brain works differently, and I can see these patterns. I do have a gift that other people don’t have, and I will always stay ahead of the crowd and see more in an image than other people.’

Dr Beryl Benacerraf, Radiologist and Expert in Ultrasound of Pregnancy.

> ‘My hope is that there will be greater understanding about dyslexia, so that the very many people who could be outstanding physicians and other professionals will have a chance to show what they can do.’

Dr Stuart Yudofsky, Professor and Chairman of the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine; Chairman, Department of Psychiatry, The Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas.

> ‘I think dyslexia and the consequences of dyslexia explain my own success. From my failures, I’ve learned where I need help, such as in reading and maths. But I’ve also learned from my accomplishments what I’m better at than the linear thinkers.’

Jack Horner, Paleontologist. Jack turned his childhood passion for fossil-hunting into a career in paleontology.

> ‘… there are a large number of people out there like you. I see it in my children; they have faced up to their difficulties and have become successful as a result.’

Richard Rogers, Architect. Richard likes to employ dyslexic architects because of their ability to think spatially and laterally.

> ‘Find other ways of doing things. It can be a more successful route. Even in business I have never taken the interstate. I take the winding rural road instead and see opportunities other people don’t.’

Sir Jackie Stewart, Racing Car Driver.

> ‘I was dyslexic, I had no understanding of schoolwork whatsoever. I certainly would have failed IQ tests. And it was one of the reasons I left school when I was 15 years old. And if I – if I’m not interested in something, I don’t grasp it.’

Sir Richard Branson, who also says dyslexia is at least partially responsible for his success and people with the condition are likely to have ‘the skills of the future.’

> ‘Now I’m very open about my dyslexia. It’s part of who I am, and it’s made me who I am. If you want strategic thinking, come to me. If you want linear thinking, don’t come to me.’

Diane Swonk, Economist.

> ‘Any client of mine will tell you that if they have a complicated, difficult situation that they’re trying to work through, they’ll gladly take my occasional typos in my emails, for me as their lawyer to represent them and get them through that.’

Raphael Galvan, Lawyer.

## Activity 4 Your role models for success

Allow about 10 minutes

Write the names of two successful people that inspire you. What makes them successful? Compare this with your previous notes about what it means to be successful.

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Find out more about two famous people that have dyslexia (whether they were listed earlier in this section, or anybody else you know about), and see what you can find out about their journey.

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OpenLearn - Understanding dyslexia
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