i was diagnosed with dyslexia in 1993 at university, since then I gained an HND in 1995
and then a degree in 2002, this was a real challenge for me. In 2010, I qualified as a nurse
and got a job working for the NHS. Staff on the ward treated me really bad, I was bullied and
harassed , they would laugh at my spelling and comment about my reading to slow,and
humliate me infront of patients and reletives. this had an impact on my confidence, people
need to be educated in the workplace...
People also need to be reported under you whistle blowing policy for bullying and abuse!! you have a recognised learning disability and they are laughing at you, this is not acceptable at any level especially by those in a "caring" profession that should know better. If you don't stand up for yourself no one else will and they will continue to do the same to others with the same or similar problems.
Are they aware of your dyslexia? if not maybe you should consider telling them, that may help them understand things from your point of view.
I also work in a caring profession and I am totally supported along with other dyslexics in my work, we all have different issues to contend with but a little understanding of the problem by staff really does help. I hasten to add, it will never be perfect, you will always get the odd one or two that will just never understand.
Good luck for the future.
Ian
Hi Ian thanx for ur encourgment, it really helps to know that Im not alone . I stood up for myself and reported what was happening but the bulliyng got worse and I left the job due to depression, ive taken time out to decide what to do with my nursing career, i think this websit is a life saver for me as i felt that i was on my own, thanks .
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Jackie I am sorry to hear about your experience. Just to give you reassurance that here you have found a welcoming environment that has an understanding of the difficulties and challenges you face. Sharing your experience may make others more confident to not to put up with negative atmospheres though it is probably best to go through the correct channels at work rather than challenging individuals as that would be very stressful. I hope this reply is helpful.
Hi thanx for ur encourgment . I stood up for myself and reported what was happening but the bulliyng got worse and I left the job due to depression, ive taken time out to decide what to do with my nursing career, i think this websit is a life saver for me as i felt that i was on my own, thanks .
Please ignore these people - you are probably far better than they are at lots of things. It must be really hard not to take it to heart. My husband is in his forties and still struggles with the low self esteem of being called stupid and slow. Yet he is really good at sports and helping people. Try and think of all the things you are good at. I agree though that workplaces and schools need to be more understanding and helpful.
Good luck
Hi Rich 72 thanx for ur encourgment, it really helps to know that Im not alone . I stood up for myself and reported what was happening but the bulliyng got worse and I left the job due to depression, ive taken time out to decide what to do with my nursing career, i think this websit is a life saver for me as i felt that i was on my own, thanks .
I to am dyslexic but I am fortunate it does not really effect my reading. However, my spelling and writing (including the way writen as well as neatness etc) -especially when under stress or tired can be badly affected.
last year on a phased return to work after a long bout of depression and anxiety one of the managers in front of the whole office had a go at me for my spelling on a database document. Already feeling very vunerable this really knocked me for 6. Even worse nobody including my line manager said anything at the time. I ended up sobbing and shaking as I felt so denergrated & belittled even so my line manager let me go in my car alone to do visits. The duty of care under Health and safety and under the DDA seem to mean nothing to them which is ironic as I work for Trading Standards. after three months of this type of behaviour I could take no more.
A lot of people think dyslexics are slow witted but this is just not the case- there are countless examples to prove otherwise.
You are one -to qualify as a nurse is great achievement in its own right and to do so with dyslexia only reinforces this achievement.
Hi Southglos thanx for ur encourgment, it really helps to know that Im not alone . I stood up for myself and reported what was happening but the bulliyng got worse and I left the job due to depression, ive taken time out to decide what to do with my nursing career, i think this websit is a life saver for me as i felt that i was on my own, thanks .
The only time people are aware of dyslexia is when it becomes personal to them! I was a teacher for 30 years & always wanted to go on a course about it however, for reasons beyond me, I was always denied a place on the few courses that were on offer. I am now retired & my nephew's little girl has been 'diagnosed' with dyslexia. No-one in her school is aware of dyslexia, so I went on some e-learning courses to learn how to help her. The Head of her school has allowed me to go in to support her as a volunteer! Meanwhile she gets half hour support with her reading-usually from an LSA that has no or little knowledge of dyslexia, her teacher has no knowledge of it! A Head I know of doesn't even believe that dyslexia exists!!!. I also went to a meeting about dyslexia run by a dyslexia group & was both surprised & dismayed to hear that they believed dyslexia was being well met in schools!!! In the real world teachers are so busy & stressed that dyslexia is the last thing on their list & it's usually only the SENco that has any real knowledge of dyslexia. Teachers believe it's just a problem with reading or spelling, but there are so many other issues that may arise like poor working memory, low self esteem bullying etc.
People working within dyslexia should realise that they are not shouting loud enough for both those children & adults who have to endure so many problems in their lives
I agree - I did teacher training years ago and dyslexia wasn't even mentioned. However my son struggled at school so badly we have withdrawn him and are educating him at home, so I have learnt a lot through experience. Apparently our LA doesn't think dyslexia exists either. It's not fair that so many bright students are left struggling. Well done for helping with your relative. Lots of confidence building and encouragement can really help them to find something they are good at.
I have just started a job as a assistant in a primary school - the teachers are struggling to understand why some pupils don't 'get' reading, and yet they do nothing different to help. They just do more and more of the same, boring things, which do little for self esteem. Anyway I am determined to try to improve the profile of dyslexia at least in this one school - but it will have to be very gently as I know I will come against resistance to change.
Good luck - and I agree that this is a brilliant forum as it helps to find other people with similar problems.
Hi All-This has been a very interesting discussion.I too am in the caring profession and am saddened to think Health or any other caring environment can treat Jackie67 as they did.As a nurse you will have a vast amount of knowledge and experience don`t let those narrow minded few ruin your career.I am new to the word Dyslexia but as jentopt says it`s now personal.Our Son at 17 has been diagnosed.We are in the mine field of trying to support our Son to help him while going through the complaints procedure of both primary and secondary schools.Any advice would be appreciated.
They are in a caring profesion so they need to be caring and compashionate, whatever your needs are, people oftern behave differently to things they can see (for example if you didn't have an arm or couldn't walk) I think people need to wise up about dyslexia and the different forms it takes as people have different levels of it.
I hope you find happiness in any job that you chose to go to.
You're right people can be cruel. So often we don't think for the feelings of one another.
My brother has dyslexia and has been bullied a lot of his life, by many near and dear even. Why we can't accept people for what they are is something I still have to understand.
Hats off to your HND & degree! More than I could say that I've got!
A year ago my brother & both took the LASD treatment which is relatively new to the UK, after having been done in Australia for 25years. The difference it has made is amazing! It has alway worried my family about work for my brother but now he is able to handle situations so much better, as well as massive improvements in his understanding, writing, reading, and lots more. I would seriously recommend you have a look at their website lasdbrighteningfuturescentr... and have a chat either to someone who has done it (email them & they'll put you in touch with someone) or to one of their team.
P.S. My brothers confidence is so much higher too now, isn't that something that you'd benefit from too?
Hiya, so sorry to read this. Makes me so angry, I was diagnosed with dyslexia in 2007 and qualified as a children's nurse in 2011. I was belittled by my mentor in front of staff and patients. This later caused a break down and in 2014 I left the profession, every day is a struggle and wish there was more I could have done. I did make a complaint, but management didn't believe that it was happening. More needs to be done...
Can I be re tested ?
How can I reduce my difficulties? Can anyone help?
lot my lob because I have dyslexia
Fed Up, What Next Step Can I Take?