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Dyslexia Awareness Week 2015: Day 5
Friday 9th October 2015:
Hello again or for the first time, welcome to my 5th day of introducing you to seven of my 2015 fabulous dyslexics!
Each dyslexia awareness week (starting last year) I intend to feature 7 of my favourite inspirational dyslexics from the past year: I ask them a set of questions (slightly adjusted depending on age and occupation) to which they provide the answers. My aim? Well it simply to inspire and raise awareness about us dyslexics and about dyslexia!
And so today brings me to my fifth local inspirational dyslexic: again my chosen person is full of talent, passion and is vocal in the face of injustice! It is my pleasure to introduce to you ….
Name: Ian Reynolds
Age (optional): 42
Business name:
Ian reynolds photography: wedding photography
i4images: commercial and press photography
Retouch and scan: image retouching/manipulation and film scanning
A brief description of your businesses: as above
Location: West Wolverhampton
When did you find out you were dyslexic?: Suspected at 19 not tested until 23 and then again at 24.
How did you feel when you found out you were dyslexic?: I felt very let down by the education system. But determined to learn and work through it, which I am still doing. I set myself some long term goals to achieve and completed them successfully but took my time about it, as I became to realise, it’s not possible to work at the pace of a non dyslexic person.
What difference has it made, if any, to your life since you found out you are dyslexic?: I have found over time to accept my shortfalls and try and work to my strengths, occasionally some perceive this as rube or lack of interest, I try to explain my shortfalls, if they are not interested, I do not waste time trying to convince those who are not willing to accept those shortfalls, it’s a waste of time and energy.
I find it almost impossible to fill in application forms or make a cv, getting help with access to work is the start of a long path to help correct these problems.
I have applied for jobs in the past and have no problem in saying I am dyslexic, I am also in the process of finding out if I have mild Asperger’s as well. I have most probably been discriminated against for mentioning these issues in application forms. But I again I apply the logic by natural selection, those not willing to accept these issues are probably going to be a headache anyway.
What advice would you offer to other dyslexics?: Things take longer, accept it, explore what your good at and work slowly at those areas you are not. You will make lots of mistakes, and you will fail, this is normal and very frustrating but try and learn from them and take things forwards.
If you find something hard leave it and come back to it later, when you’re mentally ready to deal with it, despite what others might say !!, or whether its convenient or not. That is not an excuse to become complacent or lazy, it’s just learning to manage how our mind works and does not work and when it’s at its best for certain tasks, this takes time but it will slot into place eventually.
What do you do to relax/hobbies?: I always to try to exercise it keeps the mind fresh, and helps with stress
At the moment, swimming and walking, due to family commitments I don’t have the time for other activates although I did practice taekwondo for 12 years, something I found invaluable and helped with dyslexic learning and confidence building.
Your website & business contact details:
www.ianreynoldsphotography.co.uk
www.i4images.com
www.retouchandscan.co.uk
Why not follow Ian on Twitter! @i4images
Anything you want to add?: Discovering you are dyslexia at any stage in life can be quite difficult to deal with and people often don’t understand, as it’s not physical but does affect everyday life. You will have skills others do not, embrace those and try not to dwell on those you do not. It will take time and you may well feel aggrieved for a considerable amount of time. Its all part of life’s journey so enjoy it as a new door opening rather than all the doors closing, and step into a new world that suits you and embrace it.
