Demigods!

My friend has both Dyslexia and ADHD. Is he a Demigod by any chance?

Today a question on Quora inspired me to write this post. The question was: "My friend has both Dyslexia and ADHD. Is he a Demigod by any chance?" This question made me think that how Percy Jackson's story is weaved (character created by novelist Rick Riordan), he is having dyslexia and ADHD and his struggles and victories.  The way this child is shown fighting  against all odds, but owing to his scared gifts and support angels he was constantly guarded by, he achieved extraordinary.

In real life too, I consider each of these individuals who are blessed with Dyslexia/ ADHD are not less then such 'Demigods'. The initial years struggles which as a child they face in school: daily embarrassment of incomplete assignments, not getting the project material what teacher asked for, fear of getting turn to read aloud in the class, humiliation of getting most spellings wrong, all the Sisyphean efforts to achieve a small reading or writing assignment only to find out how it lacked in many aspects; might be lacking in structure, spelling errors, or was illegible! Name calling, bullying, being ridiculed... At home; worrying and sometimes frustrated parents... Inspite of all this, my 'Demigod' knows how to wonder on small marvel of nature, knows to entertain self, so what if it is pure daydreaming... he/she is empathic to others though he has not always received empathy that he needs, caring in his own way... when left carefree and nurtutred with a non judgemental environment their creativity blossom.

Though it may also happen, some of them turn bitter due to all the hardships they suffer each day. That is where the support angels play the positive role. Angel can be a teacher, friend and parents. Parent has major role here.  Angels recognise the talent this child has, how he is able to draw analogies, how he comes up with the aspects which generally people wouldn't think, their empathy, their creativity , out of the box thinking, creative problem solving, interpersonal skills,  all this when it comes to practicle world. Angel's encouragement and support help the child maintaining their self-esteem and bloom fully.

If they get right support and tools for learning and dealing with life aspects, surely they show-up as something beyond ordinary. Once the initial somewhat thorny journey is taken with right support and zeal, the talent in real life blooms. The initial journey struggle can be minimised with right support and help.  

The skills they lack can be acquired but the potential and the creative abilities they possess cannot be cultivated. 

I am saying this not only because we keep reading about all the famous dyslexics but based on my personal experiences with my clients. I see each of the client that I coach showing up such marvellous out of the box thinking. Only one thing they need to believe is that they are blessed! It is loss of the society if they fail to bloom...

click here to see the working model demonstrated by the child)

One such example is an eight year old boy rejected from various schools which fail to teach him and fail to recognise his talent. See the picture on the right, which shows a working model of a spacecraft he created all by himself. This he created as part of the exercise we do during the Dyslexia Correction Program that I provide. I am sure you will agree, it is pity on the school who rejected such beyond the ordinary talent. Why should he be deprived from the joy of learning! He has his angel in his mom and dad who believe in his abilities and are supporting him with utmost care and love. I am sure he will pass the test and achieve something exclusive in life just like a 'Demigod'.

Another example, a child who was once told not to take up extended subjects and not to take up computers though he was interested in computers and science. Today he has secured admission in one of the top 10 technology university in Computer science in US and that too with handsome scholarship. Not a mean feat by any standards! His relentless belief in his abilities and his consistent use of his tools and techniques,  steadfast support form his angle (his parents, specially his mom) that helped him nurture his learning. Set him on path to conquer his dreams. This boy is so dedicated and consistent learner, though he finished Dyslexia & Math Mastery program with in 2016, and completed all the followup work diligently, even them before his key exams he used come to refresh his tools and work on the issues that he is facing. 

Similarly, in my initial days I provided dysgraphia and dyslexia correction program to a 12 year old girl. Mom was taking her for occupational therapy since she was 5 year old, she was prescribed to work on poor motor skills by strengthening her weak hand muscles and that was reason assumed for his illegible handwriting. The paradox was the girl was a phenomenal artist. She  fondly gifted me one of her freehand pencil sketch on completion of the program (see the picture above). How can one fail to notice that act of such fine sketching art indeed need finer motor skills? Needless to say in all these years her handwriting remained as is but confidence and self-esteem was defiantly affected. After this program when she went to school her teacher asked, 'what you did?', 'how your handwriting became so clear?' Thankfully, after the program she was much motivated with the positive changes she felt and her new found abilities. Today, this girl is doing extremely well and represents her college in many events and seminar. 

Important is to BELIEVE in oneself, gain and maintain confidence and NOT listen to naysayers be it school or anyone in the society...  

https://qr.ae/TWTsbQ - Link to the Quora question.