Dyslexia Is Our Superpower Podcast

"Have fun with education. Please have some fun with it and don't think if they (students) are having fun they aren't learning."-Rebecca Ginger   Click here to check out Becky's website for more information on the fun way of learning times tables.   

"Still go ahead. Don't let your dyslexia slow you down." -Adam Searle   Check out Adam's website here.  And his Facebook page here.  He is welcome to people reaching out via his website or FB. 

"I had so much shame built around this (dyslexia). Even as a teacher I was scared to tell my kindergarteners that I struggled too because I was worried what if they tell their parents and then their parents are going to know and then I'm going to get in trouble or they will find me out." -Jillian Kaster Click here to check out the awesome article Jillian wrote that we chat about in the podcast.  Click here for the Patreon Page

"My stance about dyslexia is that it is not a learning difficulty. It's not a learning disability, it's a teaching disability." -Julie Salisbury Here is the link to get in touch with Julie and share your dyslexic story. 

"You can't let people convince you that you are not smart, because you are very smart. You just learn a little bit differently." -Noelle    Help make Queen Andrea's house a reality. Noelle needs 10,000 votes. To support her is quick and easy. Go to this link, click on Support then create an account and follow the steps :-) 

Dyslexic and autistic 14 year old Kai and his mum Jo chat about all things dyslexia and entrepreneur.  Kai's website can be found here. I'm very excited to announce one of Kai's fidgets has been selected to be one of multiple items in our holiday box specifically for dyslexic superheros. 

"(Dyslexic Kid) you're the same as me. We may be different, but we have dyslexia that just makes us more unique." -12 year old Laylee Wishork

"For those out there that do have dyslexia or anything else just try your best and never give up." -14 year old Diezel Kupsch Click here for Diezel's website.

"What I'm not the best at doesn't take place of what I'm amazing at." -Zaida Jo, age 10 Check out Zaida Jo's short story: The Beautiful Brain of Zaida Jo I'm Zaida Jo and I am 10.9 years of age. I was born (or gifted as my mom says) with something called, Dyslexia! To me it's a big word that most know little about-but it's dyslexia awareness month, so with a little help putting my words on paper-I'm here to tell you about me, like a story of me-so kinda my own biography in a way. I knew I was different in kindergarten. I would look at books differently than the other kids-mostly, I stared at all the glorious pictures, I love pictures not only are they beautiful, but they tell a story. I often make up my own stories in my head about the pictures I see in books because words are scary. I hate books without pictures, but teachers love them for some reason. Sitting in class watching others read without struggle, and writing like they were born to do it feels so lonely. I tried to write like the rest but my pencil rarely does what my brain wants it to-so I would draw a lot. Not all teachers like for you to draw all the time, and sometimes I would get in trouble for it. So I would put my head down and cry. My parents found out I had dyslexia in kindergarten, but not much changed for me other than being pulled out of class more for extra help. I liked my speech therapist a lot, but she also gave candy and chocolate is the way to my heart! The other special help felt like more work-more work that I didn't understand. Words are mean sometimes, I look at them and they run away from my brain, scatter, and never look the same. Some really cool things about me that make me awesomely different is my imagination! I love art, set design, makeup, role play, preforming on stage(dance)-and I've been really great at these things for years! I pay a lot of attention to detail, so like if I'm dancing a solo-I like to dress full head to toe and express my full character. I did a solo a last year to the song: 'Unsteady' and I painted makeup that looked like dirt and ashes all over my face and body, and cut holes in my costume so the judges would understand the movement behind the song. My room is full of what my mom calls, "Zaida Jo's nest!" I collect amazon boxes and build houses for my dolls or towers, I also built a night stand out of a box. My dolls bed is a tin lunchbox wrapped in tissue paper, and don't get me started on all the home décor items I've made from art scraps I find here and there. I love creating stuff you use from things you would normally throw away. Sometimes my mom gets upset about her missing tape, and makeup-but only if it was the last of it and I didn't tell her, oops. My brother finds his stuff missing from time to time too-but, they usually figure out is was me and it was really important for my "nesting!" I also love a fun adventure-I'm not scared of much at all, and I've always been called fearless. My favorite color is pink, hot pink, nope-actually neon pink. The color makes my soul happy. I thoroughly enjoy any and every Disney movie-they're all magical to me. Except 'Dumbo' that one made me an emotional wreck, dear Disney: you're wrong for that one. I didn't watch it twice that's for sure! I also love talking to people and telling stories. Unless I'm in a learning environment then I'm in the zone and my brain is working super hard to process everything. That's when I get the serious look on my face-some people think I'm being stand off ish-but I'm really just trying to process what I need to know and my face just looks intense. In Third grade I transferred to a special school for kids like me. We all have the same struggles and different ones too. I have some really awesome friends there, and words aren't as scary now. I mean I'm sure I'll always not like them much-but I don't feel different at my school. I'm in fifth grade now, and I still love everything dance-something about the stage makes me feel free and Jordan my teacher understands dyslexia, and me. I feel comfortable with Jordan because he does the dance moves with me. I don't do well with too many steps and directions-I do so much better when I see things. I have learned to tune the music out and use my body for the steps-this ain't easy sister. Having noise in the background while a teacher is telling you multiple steps is cray cray on my beautiful dyslexic brain. But over time I figure it out. I joined Girl Scouts this year, and my troop is really supportive of my dyslexia and dysgraphia-plus we get to help others, and go on fun adventures so it's a win win for me. Some of the things I struggle with outside of the walls of Lakes and Bridges are definitely menus! So I rely on my mom or brother to read stuff to me-but sometimes this embarrasses me so I just order the same stuff. Words are everywhere-like everywhere and if you don't have dyslexia you really don't understand how much of a struggle it can be. I use talk to text on my devices at home and I can google faster than my 14 year old brother this way, haha. Writing is still a touchy thing for me, I'd rather draw-I'm good at that! Another thing I notice when I'm around other kids my age without dyslexia is they think I'm kinda slower or maybe I don't understand much-It can be intense at times and scary, or even sad. You just have to be proud of who you are, and I always think of the great friends I do have. They're the ones missing out on my magnificent self, and I think I'm a really good friend! I'm a happy kid most all the time. Dyslexia is just a part of me-but I think it makes me awesome! No one else in my family has it(that we know of), so it's like I'm the first. My doctor's adult daughter has it and he talks about it with me every time I visit him, his name is Dr. Beane-I like that about him. Basically everyone at my school has dyslexia, at least the kids do. So I'm always surrounded by people who (for the most part), understand me. I love to love. I really love hugs, my family, and friends. I always find ways around my dyslexia-there is so much beauty around. What I'm not the best at doesn't take place of what I'm amazing at. I truly think our world could be a better place if we all just listened more to each other even if it's a kid. Kids have a lot to say, and even if you're old you can still learn! So that's me, a bit about me at least! I hope it opened your eyes and heart about dyslexia. If you have a child that does not have dyslexia talk to them about it-it will help, I promise! Signing out: Zaida Jo Billups

"I would try to find different ways to work around your problems. Don't just try one way and then expect it work after trying hard. We like to think if you try hard you can do anything, but sometimes it doesn't work that way and you have to find a different way to do things to succeed." -15 year old Magnolia Rubinstein

"We've all been lied to. We've been told by school that we've got to get good at everything to live a successful life. You've got to be good at spelling, math, history, chemistry and that is a lie. Successful human beings don't get good at everything. They get good at something. They build their life around their strengths, interests, and talents and that's a path to thriving outside the lines." -Jonathan Mooney

Super D is back for another adventure. This time he visits a creature who he doesn't see eye to eye with and he gets into a bit of trouble. Luckily, fast thinking Sydney summons help. Find out what happens during this episode!

"My advice (for parents) is to really support your kids and have a relationship outside of their dyslexia so it's not all about education so that they really feel like an important person." -Amy Noel Amy's Youtube channel can be found here. 

Super D is back this time with his friend Avery. But when Avery needs Super D's help he's unable to fly to her house. Instead he has to send for her to come to him. Why is Super D unable to fly? How does Avery get to Super D? And why does Avery need Super D's help? All will be revealed...

"Know you (dyslexics) are intelligent--we just have different skills." -Lorena Hawkins 

Super D, the Dyslexic Superhero is back with a thrilling adventure. Georgina the troll is fed up from being teased for her size so she gets a potion from a friendly witch. Except it goes terribly wrong and only Georgina's legs shrink. Super D and his dyslexic friend Kinzie are called to see if they can reverse the magic. Will they be able to help Georgina in time for her to compete in the ferning championships?  The second part of our show is a conversation with author, inspirational speaker, and book writing coach Stephanie Jones. Stephanie was diagnosed with dyslexia as an adult and we learn what that was like.  To learn more about Stephanie visit her website here. Her two books are The Gratitude Challenge and The Giving Challenge. They are available on her website and Amazon. 

Super D is back with another adventure this time taking Gavin to a music festival. While there Gavin gets given an unusual opportunity, but will his self-doubt get in the way? For the second half of the episode Gibby chats with real life dyslexic superhero musician Ed Roman. As a very special honor Ed has given us permission to play Red Omen, his song about being dyslexic. He has also graciously given us access to watch the animated video version of Red Omen which can be found at https://gibbybooth.com/treasuring-your-dyslexic-superpowers-part-5-the-story-of-gavin/

The fourth episode in our series with Super D--the dyslexic superhero. While Jane is struggling with hours worth of homework Super D arrives desperately needing her help on a mission not even he knows much about. This episode also includes Gibby's chat with entrepreneur Jack Rolfe who shares his story and tells how dyslexia helped him find success and create a business. 

We meet Christine and her best friend Debbie. Christine wants to tell Debbie she's dyslexic so she can stop hiding it, but is worried her friend will think she's stupid and no longer want to spend time with her. In comes Super D, the dyslexic superhero to help Christine with her conundrum (difficult problem). We also talk with real life dyslexic superhero Jade Wheeler who shares her personal experience telling friends, classmates, and the whole school about her dyslexia. 

The second episode in our series with Super D--the dyslexic superhero. We dive into what it's like to doubt yourself when those around you are able to do school so easily and you can't. This episode also includes Gibby's chat with Bio-dynamic Craniosacral therapist Alexander Fenn about how he discovered his passion and how he's using his dyslexic superpowers to help people.   

Follow Ainsley as she meets Super D and learns about the first dyslexic brain.  Be sure to download the Marvelous Moments chart. Click here to do that.   

Follow Ainsley as she meets Super D and learns about the first dyslexic brain.  Be sure to download the Marvelous Moments chart. Click here to do that.   

"You know what you know and if you know something to be true you can't let other people dissuade you because they don't understand how your brain thinks. You just have to show them." -Gabrielle Feldman

"There will never be a better you than you. You cannot try to be like anyone else because you will always be coming up less than. There's always only been one real Elvis, one real Madonna, one real Michael Jackson--give me anybody else. But there's never been a YOU." -Maura Sweeney   Check out Maura's website here.

"Never be ashamed of what it is. The only reason dyslexia will ever be a problem in your life is if you don't tell people about it. Tell them about it as soon as you think you are, as soon as you are diagnosed tell people and start to wear it as your badge. It will always be who you are. Your decision is whether you try and hide it and hence hide who you really or you wear it brazenly like a badge; this is who I am and be proud of who you are and be proud of your dyslexia." -Jodie Adam, The Dyslexic Writer  Check out Jodie's website here. This will also bring you to the page to send him your own dyslexic story to be included in his upcoming book, The Freedom To Make Mistakes. 

"   Visit Artisha online here. Information on how to buy her book is there as well. 

"You are a badass person if you are dyslexic." "I see dyslexia as an answer after a lifelong quest to find what was 'wrong' with me, but now I see what was right with me." -Will Manzanares   To find Will online click here.  His book is called I Can't Read. 

"When my son was getting two hours of pull-out we moved to a small little town and when we first moved here he had tons of friends. But then a month or two later nobody was coming around anymore--he didn't have any friends. It's because kids viewed him as the special ed kid. So this past year we stopped the school intervention and did intervention privately at home and he now has friends. We have to look at how our children are being harmed and provide the appropriate intervention." "As an adult with dyslexia there's definitely a lot of shame around that. I've learned to embrace it, learn about it, and embrace the qualities that work for me as well as embrace the qualities that are more difficult." -Kellie Henkel   Some of the resources Kellie mentioned:  Rebecca Loveless: http://rebeccaloveless.com Gina Cooke: https://linguisteducatorexchange.com/lexinars/ Pete Bowers :http://www.wordworkskingston.com/WordWorks/Home.html David Berg: http://www.makingmathreal.org Emily O'Conner: http://www.advantagemathclinic.com/my-story  

The app uses a smartphone's camera to turn text into a dyslexia friendly format, which is customizable based on each person's needs. 

"(My) college essay was about a gift of difference. I looked at it as because I'm different I do things differently. And when it comes to thinking about  problems or talking with people about options and what's possible I had a much more vast understanding about what's possible because I wasn't pigeon holed into this one way of thinking. I was given freedom to use my brain, explore and use it to my advantage." -Ben Martynec

"Dyslexia is an experience, not an excuse." -Shyla Maung   This episode is sponsored by our friends at Simple Words Books. Find the books on Amazon and check them out their website here.    

"If you have dyslexia it's like you've been chosen to go to Hogwarts. You've been chosen to understand deep work at the age of 5,6,7,8,9,10 years old. Things aren't going to come easy to you. What a great lesson." -Lisa Wood Shapiro  Lisa can be found online at her website.    This episode is sponsored by our friends at Simple Words Books. Find the books on Amazon and check them out their website here. 

"You have a special way of seeing the world that other people don't have and that the world needs. Go look for your special way of seeing it." -Heather Roan Robbins    Check out Heather's website here.     

"I couldn't wait for school to finish to start my life. That's how I felt."  "Knowing that school ends and there is a whole world out there is a bit of a life line. It's quite easy to feel really frustrated with the school system as it's a system that all kids of all abilities have to travel through and when you have vastly different abilities it's maybe not the right system for all kids." -Tom McLaughlin  

"It might take you twice as long to do something but that dedication over time will make you a stronger person." "When a wall gets put up in front of me, I just keep pushing on it until it falls over." -Paul Sawyer

"My advice for parents (of dyslexic children) is to learn how your kid think." -Elizabeth McCormick

"There's nothing to be ashamed of (being dyslexic). It's by no means degrading. It just means you may need a little bit of extra help and there's nothing wrong with that." -Myles Moye   *Anatomy Correction: When Myles said dendrites he meant synaptic terminals :-)

"Even though sometimes we don't get something which is so easy for other people there are also times when we do get things which are really hard for other people. Hold onto those times. I think we've really loaded the education system against children who have the difficulties characteristic of dyslexia, but it is such a tiny aspect of what's important in life. The fact that I spell like an 11 year old, who really cares?  -Alice Frendo Check out Alice's website, Dyslexic Logic here. 

"Dyslexia is a gift to have." -Shane Herman   Check out Let's Get Booking here. 

"It's very important that every individual sees in some way he or she is special." -Phillip Schultz   Check out the Writer's Studio here. 

"Failing is a part of learning. Failing is a part of success." -Lori Pachera   Check out Caleb's Clubhouse here. 

He then tells us a bit about his adventures and why it was so important for him to write a book about it.  "Anyone at school now that is suffering with dyslexia you can get past it. Don't let them bring you down. Some of the people who tried to bring me down are out there today doing nothing as a living and I've achieved something. And I would love other people in my position to do the same." -John Gordon To purchase John's book click here.   Check out his Facebook page here. 

"I always found that after I got diagnosed with a learning difference it really helped for me to read up on it and really understand the difference." -Siena Castellon    Check out Siena's website, Quantum Leap Mentoring here.  Get more details about Neurodiversity Celebration Week here.

"The first thing you have to do is believe the (dyslexic) child is teachable." -Lois Letchford   Check out Lois's website here.  Her book is called Reversed. 

"I believe that everyone has a beautiful hidden intelligence and we have to help them find it." -Enid Webb   Check out Enid's website here. 

"Dyslexia is not a problem. It's just a different way of being. Everybody is different." -Lauren McCrostie

"If I had gotten help before hand I probably wouldn't have ended up in prison, because I would have understand what I had (dyslexia)." -Jason Cook   Check out Jason's website here. 

"As a parent, trust your gut and know when something in your heart of hearts doesn't feel right." -Ashley Roberts    Visit Ashley's blog here. 

"Reading as a measure of intelligence is a cultural phenomena. So this idea that there is something wrong with your child because they can't read is culturally dictated and nothing to do with their intelligence. So let go of that as a measure and think about all the strengths." -Krista Gauthier