(This article was scheduled for publication on the Sunday
Tribune at the start of June before the online magazine was by all
accounts discontinued)
A few people know I was registered
with Diabetes in August 2011, which is a story for another day over
the impact it caused over both my health and my lifestyle, but what
is less known is the fact I am also Dyspraxic.
While Diabetes I feel over the last
few years has gained the awareness it deserves, less is know about
both Dyspraxic and its close cousin Dyslexia.
In my case, I first got registered
as suffering from it all the back in 2000, and it has to be said when
I got told this at university, my reaction to was like ‘What?’
and it took years for certain members of my own family to accept
this, let alone understand it.
After university, although I have
seen the occasional project be mentioned which is perfect for people
with dyslexia and dyspraxia, today’s feature on dyslexiapoetry
which is described as a platform for dyslexic poets and artists is
the first I have seen that directly covers this topic.
Helen Kay, a dear friend of my
Podcast series ‘Spoken Label’ describes the history of this
further by starting “In 2018 Dyslexia Poetry Imagination (DPI) was
formed by a group of people living with or working with dyslexia.
DPI aimed to raise awareness of the importance of creativity to
develop confidence and create a positive link with dyslexia.
Research has found that on balance dyslexic people are more creative
with an ability to think differently. “
“In 2018-2019 the DPI team
organised an exhibition of artwork, video poems, needlework and
poetry by neuro-atypical creators, which was toured to different
venues. (fb page Dyslexia and Poetry).” She carries on explaining
bringing back my own memories of the said exhibition at Manchester
Central Libary which was simply a wonderful experience “Based on
the success of the tour, DPI has also run live poetry evenings and a
college-based competition and has taken part in a range of dyslexia
and dyspraxia-based events. The project, which aims to attract at all
stages of their writing has been supported throughout by
award-winning poet, Mark Pajak. One of the founder members of DPI,
Helen Kay, has supported dyslexic learners for 20 years and has
written a pamphlet of poems about her experiences entitled This Lexia
& Other Languages (v.press). “
“The group is particularly keen to
encourage and support neuro-divergent adults and to celebrate their
creative strengths. Often people feel supported and encouraged to
create while in education, but there is less support for adults,
especially when it comes to developing skills outside those required
to survive within the work place.” She discusses next which
mirrored the problems I had with a ex employer I worked for some
years before “Many older adults have not had any support and even
remain unaware that they are dyslexic. Many have experienced stress,
humiliation and discrimination both in education and outside of it. “
“In March 2021, despite the
constraint of the pandemic, the DPI members were thrilled to launch
its own website, dyslexiapoetry.co.uk. “ She brings the story up to
date “Designed by martynbristow.co.uk, the aim of the site is to
showcase dyslexic poets and to share their achievements. The site
will post one poem a month plus photos and profiles of artists and
other creators. The site is particularly interested in capturing
poems which reflect the diverse experiences of dyslexia dyspraxia and
other co-occurring neuro-atypical conditions. “
“DPI would love to hear from
anyone who would like to be involved and/or wants to share their
experiences. “ She concludes “Poems, flash fiction artwork images
and details of other similar projects. Please contact us via the
website or directly to hekay1958@gmail.com
or via Dyslexia and Poetry on facebook. We look forward to
contributions, constructive feedback, sharing of experiences and
other projects that raise awareness and ideas of how to develop the
project. “
Their website which I recommend you
check out is: dyslexiapoetry.co.uk
