I’ve been a journalist for 20 years – but I kept my dyslexia a secret

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Journalism is a career based on words and collating information, both of which I can find a struggle, says Rich James

I was once told by a university professor to not bother applying for a journalism course because I’d have absolutely no chance of getting in, let alone making it in the industry, due toBeing a journalist is the only career I ever wanted; it remains a vocation rather than a job. It also seemed, with my awful handwriting and endless misspelt words, a rather far-flung fantasy when I was at school.

Writer Flora Gill, whose father, critic AA Gill, famously had to narrate his articles due to his dyslexia, added: “I’m not sure I’ve ‘overcome’ my dyslexia as much as realised it’s not something I need to be ashamed of. I used to think people would laugh at me or judge me if they saw me struggling to spell words a child could manage. But I think hiding it is the worst thing you can do.”

“Four out of five successful dyslexics will say they are successful because of their dyslexia, and it’s really important to tell people that you’re dyslexic and lean in to your strengths because they honestly will take you far in life.” It also probably helped me at school and university when doing coursework and essays. I was very fortunate to be screenedat quite a young age, mainly because my mother was a teacher and was quick to notice the signs. I was therefore granted extra time in exams and other helpful tools. Whether that very fortunate support gave me extra confidence, I don’t know exactly, but I do know I didn’t end up applying for that journalism course and instead carved out my career on my own..

 

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