---
title: Mental Health Awareness Week - Dyslexia and Me
description: PinPoint Media Managing Director Oliver Bruce talks about his experience with dyslexia and how it doesn't need to be a barrier to success.
---

[Insights](https://blog.pinpoint-media.global/insights)

# [Mental Health Awareness Week - Dyslexia and Me](https://blog.pinpoint-media.global/insights/mental-health-awareness-week-dyslexia-and-me)

 Written by [Oliver Bruce](https://blog.pinpoint-media.global/insights/author/oliver-bruce) | May 12, 2021 8:00:00 AM

## Dyslexia and Me

Mental health, a subject that only a handful of years ago was discussed little, is now more than ever before at the forefront of people’s minds. 

With 1 in 4 people suffering from a mental illness, the likelihood is that you - or someone you know - was, or is suffering with 1 of the over 200 classified forms of mental illness.

As someone who has Dyslexia, I genuinely believe that this need not be a barrier to an individual’s success. Henry Ford of Ford Motor Company, Richard Branson of Virgin Group and David Neeleman of JetBlue all have/had Dyslexia and are all considered leaders and innovators in their respective industries.

I believe having Dyslexia to be a gift. This, however, is contrary to a YouGov poll which suggest only 3% of those with Dyslexia see it as a positive. As someone who attended 6 different schools, ultimately leaving with only 1 GCSE (in Art), I understand how education is one of the first, and most significant, barriers anyone with Dyslexia will face. 

It’s a well-known fact that those with Dyslexia look for alternate ways of approaching subjects, challenges and fundamentally life itself. It’s this outside the box thinking that I believe enables Dyslexic Entrepreneurs and individuals to truly innovate and revolutionise industries.

Those with Dyslexia all have different strengths and weaknesses, but importantly, Dyslexia doesn’t affect one’s IQ. For me, I get hugely excited when interviewing a candidate or speaking with a colleague who has been diagnosed with Dyslexia, as I know that individual will be looking at an alternate approach to everything they undertake, which will no doubt be different to the way my team or I may undertake the same task.

Dyslexia should be looked upon as a positive; something with potential and an exciting opportunity for the individual and also for those around them!

Do you know or work with a Dyslexic or have Dyslexia yourself? If so, I would love to know how you find it. Use the button below to get in touch.

 

## Source files:

[https://www.triadmentalhealth.org/what-is-mental-illness/](https://www.triadmentalhealth.org/what-is-mental-illness/)   
[https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/research-and-evaluation/mental-health-statistics/](https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/research-and-evaluation/mental-health-statistics/)   
[https://www.businessinsider.com/business-titans-who-overcame-dyslexia-2013-10?r=US&IR=T#bill-samuels-jr-14](https://www.businessinsider.com/business-titans-who-overcame-dyslexia-2013-10?r=US&IR=T#bill-samuels-jr-14)   
[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/dyslexia-richard-branson-potential-intelligence-genius-advantage-virgin-a7710676.html](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/dyslexia-richard-branson-potential-intelligence-genius-advantage-virgin-a7710676.html)

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