Ignorance often leads to failure

Dyslexia is a syndrome of many and varied reading and non-reading symptoms affecting over 40 million American children and adults. Many with dyslexia and related learning and attention disorders realize quite early that they are not like their peers. Their learning and coordination or klutzy difficulties often lead to impaired self-esteem, ridicule and even bullying. They often feel dumb, depressed — isolated. As a result, one can sadly wonder just how many gifted and creative dyslexics have been blocked from fulfilling their genetic destinies and potential. All too often, learning-disabled children grow up to be underemployed adults, shunted into routine, dead-end occupations for life. Some have difficulties maintaining families and raising children properly. Many drift into drugs and alcohol — even crime. Their loss and cost to society is incalculable. And tragically, this staggering loss was, and is, preventable!

How to succeed: with/without trying

Since dyslexia is often a self-compensating disorder that can often be overcome with time, effort and understanding, it is crucial to provide dyslexics with success stories of well known individuals so that they don’t give up — and indeed persevere. Thus, for example, there have been many dyslexics that have made tremendous contributions to mankind. They include famous entertainers, designers, architects, writers, athletes, jurists, physicians, scientists, political and business leaders.

These successful dyslexics learned to overcome or sidestep their hidden and frustrating barriers, permitting them to accomplish their dreams and desires. In fact, at times their disorder was found to be a catalyst for success — forcing them to develop and utilize hidden talents. Often, their most crucial “life-saving”characteristics were determination and perseverance as well as a desperate need to prove that they were not as dumb as they inwardly felt. As a result, they never gave up no matter how difficult the task before them seemed. Their successful lives, despite dyslexia, shows us that “compensatory miracles” can be accomplished so long as dyslexics are encouraged by loving parents as well as caring teachers and “healers” to believe in themselves.

An inspiring sample of some self-compensated famous and successful dyslexics follows. But just remember—for every famous or well-known dyslexic, there are thousands and thousands more who have made it, despite their disorder. Sadly, there are millions that have not — that could have!

Because many famous so-called dyslexics (i.e., Einstein, Edison, Da Vinci, etc.) were apparently reported by error, wishful thinking or incomplete data, I thought it worthwhile to include here only a few self-acknowledged individuals with this disorder — and only one likely candidate.

However, it is important to note that my inner-ear or CVS theory of dyslexia could easily explain the valid existence of all the reported successful dyslexics — even those that appear unsubstantiated or even false, i.e., Einstein, Edison, Da Vinci, etc. For those interested, hundreds of others have been noted but require further validation.

Further Reading:

• Dyslexia My Life: Information and Advice on Dyslexia and Learning Disabilities By a Dyslexic
• The Legend of the Dull-Witted Child Who Grew Up to Be a Genius

The Power of Unpredictability

Because of all the non-dyslexic variables determining success or even failure, no expert is significantly able to predict the future of individuals — even those showing early talent, and especially those dyslexics appearing “retarded” or just plain “lazy or stupid.”

Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso became a famous, trendsetting art icon despite, and no doubt because of, his apparent dyslexia. He was born in Malag Spain in 1881. Reported to have failed parochial school education because of reading and related academic difficulties, he was eventually encouraged by his father, an art teacher, to further develop his obvious innate artistic talent. Over the course of his career he developed a unique sense of beauty and style. Pablo painted things as he saw or really felt them — out of order, deformed or tilted. His paintings demonstrated the power of “dyslexic” imagination as well as raw or primary emotion and creativity within the human psyche. Some of his famous works include: The Young Ladies of Avigon, Old Man with Guitar, and Guernica.

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise grew up and succeeded despite poverty, frequent relocations, inadequate schooling and dyslexia. No doubt he was saved by his gifted acting ability as well as his dogged determination to overcome and thrive, come what may.

Richard Branson

Richard Branson, founder and chairman of London-based Virgin Group, didn’t breeze through school. In fact, school was something of a nightmare for him. His scores on standardized tests were dismal, initially pointing to a similar future. Despite the difficulties and challenges posed by his acknowledged dyslexia, his gifted interpersonal and business talents drove him to succeed.

Many other CEO’s have also acknowledged their dyslexia, including Bill Gates, Charles Schwab, etc.

Athletes with Dyslexia or LD

Famous Athletes like Olympians Bruce Jenner and Greg Louganis as well as auto racing star Jackie Stewart are self-acknowledged dyslexics.

Although Dr. Levinson demonstrated dyslexia to be caused by an inner-ear (CV) dysfunction that most often affects reading and writing coordination as well as related sensory-motor skills, it is crucial to understand that this impairment is function-specific. Thus, for example, Bruce Jenner admitted he couldn’t read and write straight — but these motor coordination impairments weren’t tested in the Olympics. He could have even had a dyscoordinated stuttering and articulation speech impairment, which he didn’t have, and still have been an Olympic champion.

The same holds for other dyslexic athletes who are gifted in certain motor skills while demonstrating impairment in others. You don’t have to be a complete klutz to be dyslexic. And the vast majority are not — as also evidenced by the following athletes reported to be dyslexic or LD:

• Henry Winkler, Actor
• Steven Spielberg, Director
• Mohammed Ali, World Heavyweight Campion Boxer
• Ann Bancroft, Actress
• Duncan Goodhew, Arctic Explorer
• Magic Johnson
• Bob May, Golfer
• Diamond Dallas Page, World Wrestling Champion
• Steve Redrave, Olympic Gold Medalist (rowing)
• Nolan Ryan, Pitcher for the Texas Rangers

Gifted and Famous, Despite Dyslexia — Invaluable Insights

Medical Treatment Enhances vs. Diminishes Gifted Functioning

Dr. Levinson has examined and treated many famous dyslexics in his practice. Their success is invariably inspiring, even before treatment. And most often, medical therapy significantly enhances their genius while eliminating or minimizing dyslexic functioning — invariably improving self-esteem. Contrary to misguided fears, successful medical and related non-medical treatments do not hamper creativity. Just the opposite. This observation debunks another commonly held fallacy or fantasy — that dyslexics are more creative than non-dyslexics and so are blessed by their disorder. Believe it or not, while adulated by millions, a majority of famous dyslexics invariably feel dumb and/or ugly — merely considering themselves impostors. They often feel like actors fooling the crowd into believing they’re competent or “not dumb.”

Interestingly, there are dyslexic artists with dysgraphia who can only draw calligraphy; doctors who can’t read, spell and/or write well; lawyers who can’t calculate; even mathematicians who can’t mentally add, subtract and multiply; musicians unable to read music; athletes who are clumsy and accident prone in non-gifted areas; and even dyslexia experts who fail to understand dyslexia.

The study of gifted dyslexics, past and present, reveals crucial insights often scientifically overlooked and/or misunderstood:

• The part of the brain responsible for causing dyslexia (impaired CV functioning) is different from the brain structure responsible for gifted and compensated functioning (the cerebral cortex or thinking brain; even higher cerebellar locations).
• A dysfunction in one part of the brain (i.e., dyslexia) may trigger compensatory functioning in another area of the brain.
• Gifted functioning is most often genetic and thus may be triggered vs. created by compensatory mechanisms. In other words, dyslexia doesn’t determine creativity and genius. It may, however, stimulate its presence via compensatory mechanisms.
• The tremendous differences in function vs. dysfunction within gifted (and non-gifted) dyslexics highlights the dyslexic rule for all: Dyslexia is a syndrome of many and varied reading and non-reading symptoms — many of which may be compensated for over time. Some dyslexics may read well but write, spell and calculate poorly. All combinations exist — which is why it is fallacious to define dyslexia as only a severe reading disorder.
• In fact, there are dyslexic artists who can only draw landscapes whereas others can only do portraits, etc. The list of functioning vs. dysfunctioning combinations and permutations is as endless as it is fascinating. This insight clearly refutes the tendency to try and define or portray this complex and multidimensional disorder by simple straight lines and scores.

Upon final analysis and reflection, might Chagall have been as dyslexic as his world famous artistic creations and expressions suggest? Or was he merely able to capture and artistically utilize the dyslexic or dream-like mechanisms and symbols within us all — thereby resulting in universal acclaim.

Learn More About Adult Dyslexia ➤