Climbing together: a family’s journey through dyslexia and the virtual everest challenge
Wednesday 27 May 2026
Many children with dyslexia describe school, revision and work as a constant uphill struggle, alongside a significant mental health impact: 59% of dyslexic children report being bullied or teased, and 70% say it makes them feel bad about themselves. These challenges often continue into adulthood, with 97% of dyslexic adults reporting mental health issues at work and 33% taking time off because of it.
We believe this can change. We are calling for more inclusive, dyslexia-friendly classrooms and workplaces, and we continue to train educators and employers to provide better support. As part of this, we are inviting people to take part in a Virtual Everest Challenge to raise awareness and support.
One family taking part shared their personal story. Their son James recently started high school, which proved to be a very difficult transition. After seeking support, the family received an independent assessment confirming that James is dyslexic. Although the diagnosis initially felt daunting, they chose to see it as the beginning of a shared journey rather than a setback.
A huge thank you from all of us at the BDA to James for sharing his story and being part of the challenge. Your determination and positivity are inspiring.
“We chose to take part in the virtual Everest Challenge because our family recently started climbing a massive mountain of our own.
This past September, our son James started high school. It was an incredibly tough transition, and it quickly became clear that something wasn’t quite right. After seeking answers, we received an independent assessment confirming that James is dyslexic.
Receiving a diagnosis like this can feel daunting, but as a family, we’ve chosen to view it as a journey. We have embarked on this path together, leaning into each other, and vow to climb this metaphorical mountain as a team.
To bring this challenge to life, James is channelling his incredible resilience into his passion. He is using his mountain bike racing and weekend rides with friends to log the elevation and help us conquer the virtual height of Everest. Every steep hill he pedals up in real life represents another step forward in his journey with dyslexia.
We aren't just climbing to the finish line; we're climbing to prove that with the right support, passion, and family by your side, no peak is insurmountable.”