As students, they seem to be heading nowhere – fast. What makes them special in this world? They all have the same motto, “I don’t give up.” Did you know that many successful and famous people grew up with learning disabilities (LD) including Dyslexia, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD)? Talk with your child about some of these successful people whose interests he shares or whose accomplishments he may admire.
This will help him understand that he’s not alone with his struggles and will foster hope for his future goals. Note: These are only a few names from a list on SchwabLearning.org
Some of the artists or artisans include: Chuck Close, one of the nation’s most celebrated contemporary artists, Andrew Dornenberg, an award-winning chef, who says that cooking “saved” him, Tommy Hilfiger, an internationally-known fashion designer. Athletes include Billy Blanks, world-class martial artist, television and movie actor, Terry Bradshaw, former NFL quarterback, now host of Fox’s NFL pre-game show, who recently wrote a book in which he reveals that he has AD/HD, Scott Eyre, San Francisco Giants pitcher was diagnosed with AD/HD at the age of 30, Cammi Granato, a two-time Olympian in ice hockey and a U.S. National Women’s Team member since 1990, Chris Kaman, the center for the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers, Hank Kuehne, PGA star, who used golf as an escape from his troubles at school, Jackie Stewart, a racecar-driving champion who has been inducted into the Grand Prix Hall of Fame.
Many Business Leaders have been afflicted as well, such as Richard Branson, an enormously successful entrepreneur and founder of 150 enterprises that carry the Virgin name, John T. Chambers, CEO of Cisco Systems and Barbara Corcoran, founder of one of New York City’s largest residential real estate agencies, David Neeleman founder and CEO of Jet Blue Airways, Paul Orfalea, the founder and chairperson of Kinko’s, Charles Schwab, the founder, chairperson and CEO of the Charles Schwab Corporation, Diane Swonk, Senior Managing Director and Chief Economist for Chicago-based Mesirow Financial, one of the nation’s largest banks.
There are numerous entertainers and celebrities who have used their craft as an outlet from their learning disabilities including Tony Bennett, 2005 Kennedy Center honoree and recipient of 12 Grammy Awards, Orlando Bloom, the popular English actor who played Legolas in the film Lord of the Rings. Cher, Academy Award-winning actress, Patrick Dempsey who currently stars in the television medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, Woody Harrelson, Salma Hayek and Keira Knightly, the English film actress who starred in Pirates of the Caribbean, Jay Leno, Jamie Oliver, Edward James Olmos. Joe Pantoliano from The Sopranos.
Scientists, engineers and technology experts include engineer and inventor William “Bill” Hewlett, co-founder of the Hewlett-Packard Company, Dr. John Horner, a famous paleontologist who advised Steven Spielberg on films such as Jurassic Park, Bill Wilson, a fire investigator with a reputation for solving the unsolvable in car crash mysteries.
Look at the positives and don’t give up. If you have questions regarding dyslexia, please call me, Mary Converse at 661-297-6363.
