As we mark the end of #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek, we are honoured to share Emily's story and her journey with dyslexia 🧡
A collection of stories brought together by our incredible DEI community Enable, which leads disability matters across Wavemaker, we would like to thank every Wavemaker who has shared their personal perspective with Neurodiversity, direct or indirect, and how it has shaped their lives for the better.
Emily Barry, Wavemaker UK's People Experience Manager, shares her story 👇
"I grew up in a clever family; a father who has three degrees, two masters and is currently completing a PHD, my siblings all went to top universities to study classic subjects like law, and other relatives are successful scientists. You get the picture. All super high-achieving academic people. Then they had me. Talk about being the odd one out.
"The kid who never got her spelling right and struggled at school, so she became the class clown and rebelled. As a teenager, I realised I did not understand things in the same way as others. To hide my struggles, I stopped paying attention, became lazy and gave up (I am so sorry to my parents).
"It was not until I was 24 that my boss picked up that I might have dyslexia, as I sometimes struggle to pronounce words correctly. If I ever get your name wrong, I am so sorry. Please know I am trying.
"When the test came back with a 96% dyslexia positive score (my highest score on a test to date), it was a lightbulb moment, I finally understood, and could start putting things in place to help me navigate the world.
"By understanding that my brain works a bit differently, I can tailor my approach to how I learn, and I am not afraid to ask questions. My best friend is Grammarly and I am lucky to have a fantastic friend who acts as my part-time unpaid English teacher, who always takes the time to explain something I don't understand.
"My dad recently said to me, "Emily, out of everyone in our family, you are the most intelligent. You understand how your brain works and always find an Emily way to understand." Thanks, dad, I'll take that.
If anyone reading this struggles with dyslexia, know the world was made for all of us to think differently and add different views. We're all meant to be here. Otherwise, it would not be fascinating."
