I stumbled across this school reports from the Easter break, 65 years ago. It felt very fitting to hear that I was “very backward” in spelling and reading – as I get set to launch my audiobook next week! In case you can’t read the handwriting, here are a few highlights: Classics: “Very keen, but handicapped by a bad memory. Some progress.” Mathematics: “The first half of the term saw a great improvement in his work, but once he began to get onto really new processes his keenness declined, and his standard dropped.” French: “A slight improvement this term but his work is still below standard.” English: “He is still very backward in this subject, especially in spelling and reading - constant practice in the latter is necessary.” Drawing: “If he took a little care he could be good.” Going through school with undiagnosed dyslexia wasn’t at all fun, but I’m glad I didn’t let it squash my big ideas. I hope this inspires anyone out there who might be struggling at school right now. Just remember there’s a whole lot more to life out there, and one day you’ll be able to look back on these reports and smile.
A couple of years ago I was luckily to visit the JFK Library near Boston MA. I recall that JFK had a very mediocre grade for public speaking on one of his report cards accompanied by a typical statement from his Teacher of must try harder or something similar. I have never considered report cards as records of attainment but a record of where the school has failed a pupil. What other profession is permitted to record their failure in the delivery of product without accountability? Surely the fault can lie in both camps?
They never understand me in school either so I concentrated on sports and it all worked out in the end, never finished college but did well with people and did well in the business👍🇧🇸
Amazing, a 1959 school report and you've still got it. Your parents were excellent at retaining important records. It's good that you can look back at that report and revel in your tremendous achievements now. Shame you didn't meet the teacher who wrote those comments again, in later years, so you can compare notes about who's been most successful, them or you. You're right about lack of diagnosis in those days. In my job I advocated for someone who in my view was dyslexic.When I expressed this view to their Social Worker the response was 'There's no record from his school that he ever was dyslexic. So he's not' I wanted to say that 'Who did the diagnosing in the 1960s? No one. Children were not assessed then. So my client slipped through that net.' But it wasn't worth the disagreement with her. There are many gifted and talented people with dyslexia who just needed reasonable adjustmentsto be made for them at school and work. You confounded your critic and you inspire so many people to follow their dreams and know that they have talents.
You made it and then some :-)
I'm pretty sure I have some form of ADHD, I am certain I have dyslexia and could possibly have dyspraxia too. I was deemed lazy by both my mother and school - and yet here I am about to buy my own business and am currently earning a 6 figure salary in the public sector. I have learnt SO much from working and living - and suspect I learnt very little from school
Society puts labels, definitions and acronyms to describe anything that might be different about a person but in the end each and everyone of us are woven with our own unique DNA and everyone of us are capable to achieve as long we can find our passion and have a desire to do it.
Struggled with dyslexia all through school, went to specialist school, got a job and now look back on it as a wonderful super power. Was ashamed of it, now proud.
I suffered from bacterial meningitis when I was five years old, which left me with some learning disabilities. I had some great teachers along the way, who would help me overcome some obstacles as well. As a grown-up I had great mentors who understood my challenges, and then again, some employers, who did not understand, are willing to work with some of my disabilities, however that has never stopped me from moving on and up.
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3moFascinating