Dyslexia Bytes
Last year Dyslexia Scotland invited me to talk about becoming a blogger which they intended putting on their YouTube channel. I wanted this to look professional and asked my friend for advice as they work in the world of business. Little did I know this advice and experience would help me with a future invite from Dyslexia Bytes.
My friend had already helped me to market a product for my work to aid my dyslexia. We sat and talked once I had shown what this product could do. We also prepared notes and discussed what I should wear for a good first impression. Many other handy tips later! Practice everything I had just talked about, again and again. Also, print additional information for my audience.
Please note. Now added to my CV of failures. My work at the time was not interested in the proactive neurodiverse community. My friend, of course, told me well done. At least I had tried.
Martin Bloomfield
As my LinkedIn profile has been growing over the last few months, probably through boredom!! I received a message from Martin Bloomfield. He is building up a big profile on dyslexia and placing this on YouTube. It is called Dyslexia Bytes. He asked if we could talk to for ten minutes on Zoom about dyslexia? Why not I ask myself? Friends already know when talking about dyslexia I just can’t stop! It is like asking a vegan to talk about their diet. People roll their eyes and tell me they want the subject changed.
As this was more informal and on Zoom, I decided to set the scene. Babylon Five as my background and the “Dyslexics of the World Untie” t-shirt. Attempt one was like listening to the squirrel on hoodwinked drinking red bull. I could not make out a word Martin was saying. Attempt number two went more smoothly. I talked a lot about my dyslexia. It is a neurological glitch that works differently for everyone.
A great example of this is while at the education conference last year. I was sitting trying to sort out texts to a friend who is a fellow volunteer on messenger. Neither of us could make out a single word on our phones. Both phones set up differently. Trying to share jokes was interesting. What works for me might not work for someone else.
Dyspraxia
The subject of dyspraxia also arose. This is difficult to describe but I have been to see the doctor and have signs of it. Being fully diagnosed with dyspraxia is another expense as an adult. As a child, the diagnosis would be through the NHS. If you are going for an assessment as an adult try and get checked for dyspraxia also.
My attempt of trying to give directions is like watching a scene from the movie aeroplane. The plane ends up rolling into the airport terminal as my arms still flap about like a Loony Tune Cartoon. Left an Right? Getting lost is known as the scenic route. I have also found trying to judge distance and speed incredibly difficult. A life of public transport for me.
This so-called ten-minute chat turned out to be a lot longer. I couldn’t have done too badly as Martin invited me back to talk again about Dyslexia Scotland. The next time it will be four nations and how we are raising awareness in each nation. I have asked for the questions in advance to prepare and research. I know that Dyslexia Scotland will aid me with information.
If you would like to know more, please watch both Dyslexia Scotland and Dyslexia Bytes on YouTube as both are incredibly informative.
