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The Power of Learning Disabilities
INSIGHTS
Insight #2: If you have a learning disability, or know someone who does, look for the amazing ability!
TIPS
Tip #1: If you have a learning disability, KNOW that you are in the company of Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Beethoven, Agatha Christie, Tom Cruise, Whoopie Goldberg, and Robin Williams.Tip #2: Being in the company of some of the most creative people, comes with a big responsibility. LEARN from the past.
Tip #3: If you think you might have a learning disability, but you are not sure, FIND OUT. Either your educational on-campus Health Services, or your general Health Care provider will help you to find out if you have a learning disability. You can begin by going to the Student Services office or Health Services office of your higher educational institution. You need to explore your disability to better recognize your amazing ability.
Tip #4: Even though you might consider it challenging to attend a college or university, UNDERSTAND that the higher educational system will support you to accomplish your goal in getting a degree. This support ranges from providing free laptops/computers/printers to you, allowing you to take tests in a more relaxed setting, or providing you with more time to complete tests. You might also qualify for financial assistance.
Tip #5: Having an amazing creative gift comes with a price. FIND the unique gift behind your disability and BE AWARE of the price and the challenges that you are facing. The list below might help you gain some important insights.
| Disabilities/Challenges | Abilities | |
| Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) |
Dyslexia, ADD, ED spelling, writing right to left in mirror image, incomplete projects, distracted social issues secret private life |
painter, sculptor, scientist, botanist, inventor, mathematician, architect, engineer, anatomist, musician, writer innovative multitasking intense curiosity loved to observe nature vegetarian deep respect for life |
| Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) |
ADD |
observational skills being able to make astonishing connections discoveries in astrology, astronomy, math, physics, technology, philosophy considered "father of modern physics" and "father of science". |
| Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) |
ED |
composer and pianist ability to feel into the heights and depths of human emotions ability to transfer emotions into music sense of humor awareness of his great artistic gift awareness of his artistic destiny awareness of despair philosopher "forced to become a philosopher already in my twenty-eighth year, - oh it is not easy, and for the artist much more difficult than for anyone else."* |
| Hans Christian Anderson (1805-1875) |
ED, Dyslexia highly emotional fears, hysterical attacks, effeminate unattractive epileptic fits physical and emotional abuse alcoholic mother backward, unwilling pupil, homely |
world-famous author of fairy tales internationally renowned and treasured artist |
| Thomas Edison (1847-1931) |
ADD persistent questioning self-centered behavior scrambled thoughts non-conformist easily distracted larger than average head broad forehead |
innovative experimental curious inventor businessman prolific projects often occurring simultaneously (1093 patents) ability to focus on multitude of tasks simultaneously |
| Orville Wright (1867-1948) |
ADD mischievous behavior class absences did not graduate |
inquisitive & curious mind scientific experiments inventions own printing business with Wilbur aeronautic accomplishments |
| Winston Churchill (1874-1965) |
Dyslexia, ADD, ED bored quickly mild depression seasonal affective disorder syndrome did not achieve much academically failed courses numerous times refused to study Latin and Greek poor work and lack of effort restless high energy level meddling difficult to discern priorities or to stick with them "He is here, there, and everywhere.." * frail in health accident prone naughty, bumptious, difficult to manage as a child |
British Prime Minister author, politician, inventor,, innovator, leader self-learner, intellectual curiosity excellent management style "....a gifted child who was therefore difficult." * |
| Albert Einstein (1879-1955) |
ADD clashes with authority resented school regimen resented rote learning shy child very little skill for anything as a child preferred to learn on his own preferred travelling instead of preparing for exam, failed exam in general knowledge |
physicist great sense of curiosity independent, critical thinker played violin passion for music studied physics on his own "The finest emotion of which we are capable is the mystic emotion. Herein lies the germ of all art and all true science." |
| Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) |
Dyslexia reversed up/down, front/back questioned authority bad student class absences |
painter, sculptor, ceramicist, stage-designer, cofounder of cubism innovative visual perspective unique perceptual ability |
| Agatha Christie (1890-1976) |
Dyslexia "I, myself, was always recognized...as the 'slow one' in the family. It was quite true, and I knew it and accepted it. Writing and spelling were always terribly difficult for me. My letters were without originality. I was ...an extraordinarily bad speller and have remained so until this day." * shyness stage fright |
best-selling novelist, crime and detective novels, short stories, plays interest in music, dance, singing original writing ideas strong interest in reading and love for books ability to break up, analyze, and re-assemble objects from a multitude of innovative viewpoints Putting the pieces together in a greater and inventive context leaves the reader engaged and the murderer in her novels as the most unlikely suspect. pottery, artifacts (married archeologist) |
| Harry Belafonte (1927-present) |
Dyslexia "I was filled with discontent...couldn’t focus in the classroom... teachers were just really frustrated with my distraction ...
left school one after the other there was always a celebration that I was out of the school...
teachers were
just overcome with my distractedness. (Laughter)...What it was was that it was an extreme case of dyslexia, and I could not really keep words in focus. They skipped and inverted and all the problems that we faced — nobody knew what that was, except that measured against my appearance I did not seem to be living up to my potential. I wasn’t living up to what my native intelligence, as they call it, appeared to be, as opposed to the failure of my academic pursuit." |
Actor, producer, singer, music composer and arranger. He was the first recording artist to have a million-selling album and broke down racial barriers as TV's first Black producer and the first Black performer to win an Emmy. He's also known for his longtime and passionate commitment to civil and human rights issues. Belafonte was a confidant of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and raised money to release imprisoned civil rights protesters. He chronicles his journey in the inspiring memoir, My Song. |
| Cher | Dyslexia dreadful school experience dropped out of school at 16 |
award-winning actress singer, songwriter director, author, entertainer |
| Whoopie Goldberg | Dyslexia dreadful school experience dropped out of school at 16 |
actress entertainer |
| Tom Cruise | Dyslexia mother had dyslexia |
actor |
| Michael Phelps | ADD/ADHD surplus energy medication behavior modification in school |
Gold medal Olympic champion in swimming |
| * Sources of all quotes are listed at the end of our Learning Disability Book. | ||
| Return to Home Page | Continue to Tips # 6 to Tip #10 | |
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What's the Deal with Learning Disability
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