Achievers Despite Learning Challenges.

Imagine being unable to learn your ABC until the age of nine, not being able to read until the age of twelve, and remaining a slow reader throughout your life. Would you believe that a President of the United States had these characteristics?

Every child is special. Every child has his/her own personality. Each child tries to endeavour and focus best on their lives. Every child has a dream that is dear to his or her heart. Unfortunate we as adults, parents, educators and the larger society lack the patience and knowledge to understand and assist the child achieve this dream.

It is clear that each of these children as well as the thousands of children classified as underachieving have their individual seeds of great achievement in them. Gold cannot shine without being treated and polished. Same goes for our special children. They need our understanding, support and care. Then they can blossom and achieve their dreams.

Thomas Edison
As a child, Thomas Edison was hyperactive and had a learning disability. His mother was offended with the treatment he was receiving at school as a result, and she decided pulled him out. At age 14 he contracted scarlet fever, which caused the loss of hearing in one ear and a severe diminishment in the other; he was almost deaf.

He is one of the greatest inventors ever. Few of his inventions are the Light Bulb, Phonograph and Motion Picture Camera.

Richard Branson
Entrepreneur, billionaire, and “The only person in the world to have built eight billion-dollar companies from scratch in eight different countries.” Richard Branson is a model for success, he is dyslexic. Branson’s teachers simply labelled him as lazy or “not very clever.”

Justin Timberlake
In a 2008, singer, songwriter, and actor Justin Timberlake revealed that he has both Attention Deficit Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Despite battling his obsessive thoughts, he has had an incredibly successful career in the entertainment industry, even winning nine Grammy Awards and four Emmy Awards.

Whoopi Goldgerg
Actress, writer, and producer Whoopi Goldberg was actually called “dumb” while growing up due to her dyslexia. With leading roles in movies like Sister Act, The Colour Purple, and Jumping Jack Flash, and being one of the only ten people to win an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award; she has certainly proven her critics wrong.

Every child is special. Every child has his/her own personality. Each child tries to endeavour and focus best on their lives. Every child has a dream that is dear to his or her heart. Unfortunatly, we as adults, parents, educators and the larger society lack the patience and knowledge to understand and assist the child achieve this dream.

Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson had dyslexia and struggled with reading his entire life. Instead of being overcome by his disability, Wilson used determination and self-discipline to not only survive in school, but to excel.

Eventually, he became a professor at Princeton University, an author of a popular acclaimed book on George Washington, the governor of New Jersey, and the 28th President of the United States.

Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa
Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa, radio and television on-air personality had Dyslexia. He had reading and writing difficulties. Everything he wrote was a mirror image of what he intended. I.K. attended King's College, Lagos and studied Economics at the University of Lagos where he got his start in the television industry.

He is known for his work with Rhythm 93.7 FM, but he is also a presenter on MNet's Studio 53, and is best known as the presenter of Big Brother Africa.

One day, I believe they too will discover their abilities, achieve their dreams and proudly wear their own coats of many colours as trailblazers, IT specialists, creative artists, entrepreneurs and outstanding members of the larger human society.