My Dyslexia Story: Paul Sorrell

Early struggles with language

Ever since I was little, I struggled with reading, writing, spelling and even speaking. Words often felt like they slipped through my fingers, refusing to make sense no matter how hard I tried. I was in speech therapy until I was ten, but it was around the age of fourteen, almost thirty years ago, that it really became clear just how much I was struggling. It was halfway through secondary school when my teachers first noticed that I was having serious difficulties with reading, writing, and spelling.

Despite these challenges, I shone in creative subjects like art, music and cooking, things that allowed me to express myself in ways words never could. But even then, I felt a sense of frustration and limitation because I couldn’t fully share what I was thinking and feeling. Back then, support for students with dyslexia was practically non-existent. At my school, if you were struggling, you were placed in a special needs class and left to fend for yourself, with little guidance or understanding of what you actually needed to thrive. It often felt isolating, like I was trapped in a world where my mind worked differently, but no one really knew how to help me navigate it. 

Challenges and resilience

Dyslexia has shaped my life in ways both challenging and profoundly rewarding. On the one hand, it made school a daily struggle. Every written assignment, every test, every spelling quiz felt like climbing a mountain with no footholds. I constantly wrestled with self-doubt, frustration, and the feeling that I was falling behind my peers, despite my creativity and intelligence. Navigating a school environment that offered little support only magnified those feelings. Combine that with the turbulence of teenage hormones, and it was easy to feel overwhelmed, even invisible.

Yet dyslexia also gifted me unique strengths. It forced me to think differently, to approach problems creatively, and to see the world through a lens that others might overlook. I became highly observant, imaginative, and capable of expressing ideas in ways that didn’t rely on conventional words. Art, music and cooking became my languages, my ways of communicating when language itself failed me. 

The power of encouragement

It was in that difficult, often isolating environment, that I received one of the most valuable pieces of advice I’ve ever been given. A teacher, let’s call him Mr. B, noticed my struggle and said: “Just start writing. Let your subconscious thoughts flow. It doesn’t matter what you write, it doesn’t even need to make sense, just write and give your thoughts an outlet”.

I took his advice, even though writing was still incredibly hard. I allowed myself to write without judgment, to release my thoughts freely. That simple act of permission changed everything. For the first time, I felt that my mind, with all its difficulties and differences, had a voice. Dyslexia had made some things harder, yes, but it had also taught me resilience, creativity, and the power of finding alternative ways to express myself. That lesson has stayed with me ever since: sometimes, the best way forward isn’t to fight against the challenges, but to find the paths that let your unique mind shine. 

Strengths and success

I’ve never had formal support for my dyslexia, but over the years, I learned to navigate it in my own way. Instead of dwelling on the areas I found difficult, I naturally gravitated toward creative pursuits and places where my imagination could take centre stage. Through art, storytelling, and inventive problem-solving, I discovered that creativity offered me both freedom and confidence. It became more than just an outlet; it grew into a true strength, a tool that allowed me to thrive despite the obstacles dyslexia placed in my path.

In 2025, a journey that began more than three decades earlier finally reached a long-awaited milestone with the international release of my debut novel, Wintershelm, proudly brought to life by Pegasus Publishers. What started as a flicker of imagination in my teenage years, scribbled down in fragments and half-formed ideas, gradually grew into something far greater than I could have imagined back then. Through countless drafts, setbacks, and bursts of inspiration, that small spark evolved into a fully realised world and story.

The publication of Wintershelm is more than just a book on a shelf; it is a testament to perseverance, creativity, and the belief that, even with challenges like dyslexia, stories can find their voice. For me, it represents the culmination of years of dedication, patience, and passion, and at the same time, it opens the door to an exciting new chapter in my lifelong journey as a storyteller. 

My advice for others with dyslexia

My advice would be this: don’t view your diagnosis as a limitation, see it instead as a window into how your mind works. Dyslexia may make certain tasks more difficult, but it also brings with it a unique set of strengths. Many dyslexics are highly creative, exceptional problem-solvers, and able to see connections or perspectives that others might miss. These qualities are powerful, and when you embrace them, they can become incredible assets.

Remember, there is no single right way to learn or to achieve success. Everyone’s path looks different, and your journey is about finding the approach that works best for you. Once you do, you’ll find that dyslexia doesn’t hold you back, it simply means you’re wired to think differently, and that difference can be a real advantage.