#DAW24 - Your Story - Hazel Ellis

Where does your dyslexia story begin?

My school days were pretty bad. I would bunk off school more than attend. I spent a lot of time in the local shopping centre hanging about! I was classified as clever but naughty, a chatter box, a clown etc. This was in the 1980s in an inner London borough all girl’s comprehensive that had no expectations of any of us girls.

I went onto college, got top marks in a childcare course became a very successful nanny, and loved this job for 17 years. I decided to retrain, went to night college initially and then attended an access to health course and decided I wanted to be a speech and language therapist.

When were you diagnosed?

I was diagnosed in my final year at City University London, as a mature student aged 30 years old. I was taking a BSc in clinical communication studies to become a speech and language therapist. Another student told me all about her dyslexia assessment and that, combined with the knowledge that the assessments I was learning about I would not pass, I decided I would go and see. The diagnosis was one of relief, but because I was diagnosed in my final year, I didn’t receive any support at all, I just had to work harder than all the other students.

I went on to a very successful career as a speech and language therapist, eventually becoming a manager of a small team for the NHS and working in a private practice.

Unexpected twist or turn.

I didn’t initially specialise in dyslexia, although my first jobs were in mainstream schools and many children had dyslexia. But that seemed to me to be too easy as I felt I knew all about dyslexia having lived it.

I came back to dyslexia when I moved to Spain. I work in the international schools mostly with children with dyslexia. I love what I do, I love to help and the kids I work with are amazing, and they deserve the support and knowledge I aim to bring.

Dyslexic strengths

I have an enquiring mind, always analysing, researching, looking for a reason behind things. I am very practical and a good troubleshooter. My own difficulties have led me to explain things to people in simple terms, non-jargon and with practical applications and solutions.

Challenges

Many, and each phase of my life highlights different areas of difficulty. I have a bit of everything dyslexia wise.

Currently I am trying to learn Spanish and dyslexia is making this a huge challenge.

What would you say to inspire others?

If I can do all this, so can you. I didn’t have support as a child, no diagnosis, from a rough and poor part of London, had no expectations of me at all, but I have succeeded with hard work and a positive spirit.