Xtraordinary People

Our News

The News section of the website aims to provide an area where relevant articles that are about, or have impact on, issues regarding Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD and Dyscalculia).

Other News

Party with Xtraordinary People where even Einstein was a guest....

Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families sent a video message of support as he was unable to join us in person and Xtraordinary People would like to take this opportunity to thank him for the message. Click here to view the message

On 11th October 2007 we held our awareness and fundraising event at the Science Museum in London. It was a truly amazing evening with almost 300 guests from all walks of life; dyslexic entrepreneurs, leading lights in the business world, politicians and celebrities from stage, screen and the music business.

As guests arrived they were faced with a stunning reminder of the contribution dyslexics have made to the world we know today. The Making of the Modern World Gallery is a fabulous room filled with fascinating exhibits and inventions; among them were the telephone (Alexander Graham Bell), the motor car (Henry Ford), the aeroplane (the Wright brothers) and the electric light (Thomas Edison). ALL were dyslexic. Character actors brought these historical figures to life and guest were shown upstairs to the Flight Gallery for dinner by the likes of Einstein - quite a suprise for some!

And it made us all think, after all, trying to imagine what life would be like without these incredible people and their inventions is almost impossible.

Our wonderful compere for the evening was Kate Humble and she welcomed everybody to the event. Kate Griggs then made an impassioned speech about the whole issue of dyslexia not being recognised or given the right support and this was complimented by a short film.

The film followed the story of Daniel, a pupil at a mainstream London school who, with the help of specialist teaching, made the leap from a frustrated (and sometimes disruptive) lad who struggled with reading and maths to a boy with real ambition and a genuine enthusiasm for learning.

Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families sent a video message of support as he was unable to join us in person and Xtraordinary People would like to take this opportunity to thank him for the message. Click here to view the video message from Ed Balls

As guest went to tuck into their meal, 1 in 10 of them found they had a trowel and hand fork instead of the usual cutlery! These were quickly replaced but not before the thought had dawned that this is what it is like not to be given the right tools for the job. We know there are hundreds of teachers out there still wanting the specialist teaching that simply isn't currently available to them.

So now our launch has happened, there is a job to do. Thousands of children in this country are still not getting the specialist support they need. Help us to change this.

Are you one of the many dyslexic entrepreneurs this country has produced? Or are you someone who just feels passionate about this issue? If so, we would love your support in whatever way you feel able to give it so please get in touch. Please click on 'support us' and sign our petition or get in touch with us via e-mail.

In the meantime, there is a lot in the media about the education system at the moment so do send us your thoughts about this. And if you happen to be listening to the radio, just remember, the science behind it was dreamed up by James Clerk Maxwell and yes, he was a dyslexic too!

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