By far, Dyslexia is the most downloaded topic on The Designer Health Net Talk Show website. At first glance you may think that a show about dyslexia being of such interest to people would be a little strange. I mean, why would a show about a reading disability be so popular?
But when you actually look at what dyslexia is and how many people it affects, then it becomes a little clearer. The National Institutes of Health have estimated that 15% of the population may be dyslexic. That number seems to be pretty consistent within the learning disability statistics reports I’ve seen.
Our show on dyslexia revolved around one child, Dylan. Dylan is a twelve year old boy from Maine who has faced dyslexia right in the eye and has met the challenges it offers daily. Dylan, with the help of a committed support system consisting of his mother, Beth and his remarkable teacher, Ms. McAvoy has proven dyslexia can be managed very well. When you listen to this show, you can hear the passion in Ms. McAvoy’s voice as she speaks about utilizing the Orton Gillingham method of teaching at the Masonic Learning Center for Children in Bangor, Maine. It is with this learning system that she was able to reach Dylan and many other children and adults challenged by dyslexia.
Nurse Connie Parr another amazing person joined me on the phone from Aurora, Illinois. Nurse Parr is a certified pediatric nurse practitioner who works in general pediatrics specializing in Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Nurse Parr’s contribution to the show leveled the playing field for those who find it hard to understand that having dyslexia is not a diagnosis of lack of intelligence. She quickly points out that those with dyslexia generally have average or above average intelligence and but for the fact they’re dyslexic, they would be excelling in whatever direction of study they choose.
Dylan, himself is an inspiration and just about the most adorable little boy I have ever seen. This little man could sell sand to the Middle East with those big eyes and that incredible little voice of his. Dylan was not about to feel sorry for himself because he had a learning disability. In fact, during our chat, I offered to him the surprise that I too, have been dyslexic my entire life and then, jokingly point out, “And look at me, I’m a talk show host!”
Dylan just gave me this inquisitive look, kind of like when you speak to a puppy and its head tilts off to one side! Dylan’s goals are a little loftier; as he explained that he was looking more in the direction of going to Maine Maritime Academy and becoming an engineer working aboard ships. Hmmm, not really a talk show host… but close!
