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Dyslexia!
What you need to know
October is �dyslexia awareness �month!
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bad
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Dyslexia is a condition �where people have �difficulty reading words
Dyslexia is �very common:
it affects up to 20% of people
So, in a class of 25 students, 5 of us could have dyslexia
People with dyslexia might
Dyslexia makes �learning to read harder, but
not impossible
With extra help, people who have dyslexia can learn to read well
Dyslexia has nothing to do with how smart you are
People with dyslexia are�as smart as everyone else
People with dyslexia �can do amazing things!
Here are some amazing people with dyslexia:
Tie Domi�Former NHL player
Dyslexia and Tie
Tie was strong and loved sports. But school wasn't always easy for him. He made friends with kids who were really good at school. They helped him learn new things, and Tie helped them too, especially if someone was being mean on the playground. He always stood up for his friends.�
Why he's inspiring
Tie played in more than 1,000 hockey games and became one of the strongest and most respected players in the league. He even wrote a book about his life! Tie’s story shows that if you try your best, don’t give up, and work with others, you can do amazing things.
Keira Knightley�Actress
Dyslexia and Keira�Keira found out she had dyslexia when she was 6 years old. Reading was hard for her, but she didn’t give up. With support from her family, she worked hard to improve and follow her dream to become an actor.��Why she's inspiring�Keira became a famous actress and won many awards. She starred in movies like Pirates of the Caribbean and The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. She has also acted on stage and on TV. Keira’s story shows that with hard work and support, you can do anything you set your mind to.
Richard Branson�Entrepreneur and founder of Virgin Group
Dyslexia and Richard�Richard had a hard time in school and didn’t know he had dyslexia until he was older. Reading and writing were tough for him, but he was very creative, loved to learn, and had lots of great ideas.
Why he's inspiring�
Richard worked hard and had big ideas. His business started with a small music shop, and then grew into a big company that now includes music, airlines, and space travel. His story shows that if you believe in yourself, use your imagination, and work hard, you can make your dreams come true.
Phil Hanley�Comedian and author
Dyslexia and Phil�Phil grew up in Oshawa, Ontario. When he was little, he had trouble reading and writing, and school was hard for him. But Phil found out he was really good at making people laugh!
Why he's inspiring�Phil used his funny talent to build a great career. He tells jokes on stages all over North America and has been on TV shows like Comedy Central. He also wrote a book! Phil talks about his dyslexia in his jokes, using humor to share his �story and help others understand. Phil shows that being yourself is a superpower, and that challenges can help you become successful.
Mel B�Singer, performer, and television personality
Dyslexia and Mel�Mel B, who is Scary Spice in the Spice Girls music group, has dyslexia. Reading and writing were hard for her, and it made her feel nervous sometimes. But she didn’t let that stop her from doing what she loves!
Why she's inspiring�Mel became a famous singer with the Spice Girls. She inspired lots of people with her messages about being confident and strong. She also been a judge on TV shows like America’s Got Talent. Mel shows that when you believe in yourself and are proud of who you are, you can do amazing things!
Steven Spielberg�Director and filmmaker
Dyslexia and Steven�Steven found out he had dyslexia later in life. When he was a kid, reading was hard for him, and school was tough. Sometimes, he felt alone and like no one understood him.
Why he's inspiring�Steven grew up to be a famous movie maker. He made great movies like E.T., Jurassic Park, and Indiana Jones. He talks about his dyslexia and how telling stories helped him express himself. Steven’s story shows that even if school is hard, you can still find your special talents and do wonderful things.
Dallas Soonias�Athlete, writer, and filmmaker
Dyslexia and Dallas�Dallas grew up in Saskatoon and is a proud member of the Chippewas of Nawash. When he was a kid, he struggled with dyslexia. In grade six, he couldn’t even read what he wrote, which made him and his teacher feel confused and frustrated. But even with those hard times, Dallas became a successful writer and movie maker!
Why he's inspiring�Dallas was the first Indigenous man to play volleyball for Canada’s national team, and he played for many years! Now, he talks about sports on TV, including the 2024 Paris Olympics. He also made a short movie that was shown at a special film festival. Dallas’s story shows that if you keep trying and use your creativity, you can do great things!
Annie Brocoli�Performer, singer, and children's entertainer
Dyslexia and Annie�Annie Brocoli’s real name is Annie Grenier. She is a French Canadian artist who doesn’t mind telling people about her dyslexia. When she was a kid, reading and writing were hard, but she never gave up on being creative!
Why she's inspiring�Annie created the fun character Annie Brocoli and became very famous in Quebec with her TV shows, songs, and movies for kids. She shows that with imagination, never giving up, and believing in yourself, you can use what makes you special to do amazing things!
Steve Bégin�Former NHL player
Dyslexia and Steve�Steve grew up in Quebec and had a hard time in school because of dyslexia. He knows how it feels to have trouble with learning and talks to students because he understands what they’re going through.
Why he's inspiring�Steve played more than 500 games in the NHL with teams like the Montreal Canadiens and Dallas Stars. People respect him because he worked really hard and never gave up. Now, he visits schools to talk about dyslexia and shares three important tips: set goals every day, keep trying, and be brave. We love that Steve uses his story to help kids believe in themselves!
Name�(profession / what they do)
Dyslexia and (Name)�(write a few sentences about how dyslexia impacted this person).
Why they are inspiring�(what is it about this person that you find inspiring? What have they achieved, what challenges did they face? What can we learn from them?
What can you do to help?
My story
I found out I had dyslexia in grade
I am good at
I find it helpful when
Listening to others, math, art, sports etc.
I have have extra time for tests, People are patient and kind, I can use a computer for writing
My story