We seem to always hear about the pathological side of dyslexia, the testing, diagnosis, treatment and search for a cure. But is there another, more positive side? Doesn't every cloud have a silver lining? Could the "silver lining" of dyslexia be found in the extraordinary talents and abilities that many with dyslexia demonstrate? Is there a little-known, generally hidden, positive aspect of dyslexia? Good questions, all. Read on... Dyslexia is a condition known most commonly for causing difficulties in reading, spelling and detailed manipulation of words and numbers. It is usually seen and thought of in a clinical sense, being treated as a pathological problem, a learning disability. You rarely hear about famous people with dyslexia. This somber image of learning disabilities and specialists struggling to diagnose it, treat dyslectics and find a cure is pervasive. So much so that the positive side of dyslexia is often overlooked, rarely considered. Positive side?!? To dyslexia?! Yes, that is correct. Dyslexia certainly has a positive side. And there ARE many notable people, famous people with dyslexia. You see, while dyslexia does create problems and difficulties in certain areas for children, students and adults, there IS another side to the coin. Dyslexic people frequently exhibit above-average abilities in physical co-ordination, empathy, graphic and spatial visualization. Many become famous for their abilities to "think outside of the box", be creative and achieve unique solutions to difficult problems. Many famous people with dyslexia are artistically gifted and achieve high success in artistic endeavors. Apparently dyslexia can really be a positive thing, a condition that gives certain advantages to those that have it. So much so that in some circles they speak of "The Gift of Dyslexia"! Some of the greatest barriers to success for dyslexics are the low self-esteem and lack of confidence that came from their bad experiences at school. Their difficulties with usual reading, spelling and associated studies, put them in a bad light. Our educational systems have long demanded proficiency in these areas. Students with difficulties in reading were once called lazy, inattentive or mentally deficient. Dyslexics were branded as "slow learners", sent to the foot of the class. Disdained, denigrated and dismissed from serious consideration. Some were put off, put down and brought down by the low prestige these problems brought. Others were diagnosed and helped to successfully deal with their dyslexia. Still others seem to have individually worked out ways to overcome the problems. By whatever means, many do overcame their difficulties, use their gifts, achieve great things and lead exemplary lives. There are thousands of examples of well-known dyslexic people who have achieved this and more. Their names appear on lists of famous people with dyslexia... Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia [Ref.: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_with_dyslexia ] publishes a list of 48 "notable people who have been diagnosed with dyslexia." The list includes Sir Richard Branson, entrepreneur, Cher, singer and actress, Tom Cruise, actor, Anderson Cooper, American journalist, Charles Schwab, founder of U.S. brokerage firm and Jackie Stewart, racing driver. There is another list of "Famous People with the Gift of Dyslexia" at dyslexia.com/qafame.htm. Included are Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Michael Faraday, Pierre Curie, Physicist (1903 Nobel Prize) and Werner Von Braun, Rocket Scientist. These lists of famous people with dyslexia are extensive and quite impressive. Many of the names found there jump out at you, instantly recognizable. After scanning such lists for a while, one starts to come around to a new realization; dyslexia must not be all bad. There IS a positive side to it. Many look at dyslexia as a curse. In many ways it is. But there is also another side to that coin. It can also be a blessing... Dyslexics (and their friends and families) should think about that. Then each dyslexic should make up his or her mind as to which side of that coin will they allow to dominate their lives. Will it be the curse? ...or the blessing? The problems? ...or the promise? Will they live in obscurity and failure? Or will they someday take THEIR places on future lists of "famous people with dyslexia"?! For additional info about dyslexia and famous people with dyslexia, follow the links below...
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