The Dyspraxia Community
'Hope In Darkness'
concluded
with the words, ‘In darkness there is always light, there is always hope’. I
like to think in our most difficult of times there is always at least one
person willing to listen, wanting to understand. Since being diagnosed with
Dyspraxia at the age of eighteen I have received overwhelming support from
family, friends and the community. In this article I hope to show there is
someone there to help, because they helped me.
The Foundations
‘Dyspraxia
Foundation UK’ is an amazing charity, helping improve the lives of those with
Dyspraxia but also provide support to loved ones. I cannot thank them enough
for the guidance and encouragement they have given me.
‘Dyspraxia
Foundation UK’ is only one example. There has been an increase in the number of
charities around the globe who are attempting to break the silences and taboos
over our condition. Their work has been extremely important, for instance
gaining media coverage for Dyspraxia from news and radio channels to television
series such as Tree Fu Tom, a BBC series with a hero with Dyspraxia and special
powers.
The Supporters
I
have also turned to supporters in the past, those who attempt to educate others
about Dyspraxia through their body of work. This can come in many forms from
websites, textbook guides and picturebooks hoping to challenge the stereotypes
and myths often associated with learning conditions such as our own.
There
are many examples of excellent examples, including:
›
Adele
Devine’s Literary For Visual Learners,
which is a guide offering approaches to teaching reading, writing and
communication skills that support visual learners and those with specific
learning conditions. Adele Devine is a special needs teacher at a school for
young people with severe learning difficulties and Autism in Surrey.
›
Jane
Binnion’s You’re So Clumsy Charley,
which is a cartoon-style book following the daily challenges of Charley, a
young boy with Dyspraxia. The author Jane Binnion, who herself has been
diagnosed with Dyspraxia, notes ‘The book is about dyspraxia...but we chose not
to name it in the story because this book is for every child that is
different.’
I
have often found myself reading such guides to provide me with additional
strategies to overcome any obstacles my Dyspraxia poses. When I was revising
for my university English Literature examinations I found it challenging to
retain critical theory and textual quotes. I followed the advice of using
visual aids to help enhance my memory skills, for instance creating colourful revision
posters.
The Fighters
I
am pleased to say I have been extremely inspired by those individuals with
Dyspraxia who achieve their dreams and ambitions in spite of their specific
learning conditions. They and their loves one are true fighters.
Some
of these fighters, like me, have set up writing blogs and pages to share their
own experiences of Dyspraxia. The following are links to some of their
brilliant pages:
›
Mikey’s
Wish – Verbal Dyspraxia Awareness
›
Natalie
Williams’ The Blog With (More Than) One
Post
›
Rosie’s
Thinking Out Of The Box
This
is only a short list, and there are hundreds of other incredible individuals
proving they can be fantastic as well as having Dyspraxia. Dyspraxia does not
have to define them. Together we are not fighting this battle alone, but we are
united as a strong community.
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| The Dyspraxia Community...Copyright © 2016- Dyspraxia Foundation UK. All rights reserved. |
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The intention of this article is to show there are many people who are willing to support, listen and inspire others going through dark times. The foundations, the supporters and the fighters have helped me tremendously and prove ‘The Dyspraxia Community’ is made up of wonderful individuals.
