#MyDyslexiaStory: Lisa Daniels
Wednesday 30 October 2024
Hello, my name is Lisa, I’m a girl mum of one, I’m a black female neurodivergent individual and a qualified adult nurse for six years; now working as a community staff nurse in health visiting (CSN).
My dyslexia strengths are my creativity, high levels of motivation, and persistence. But my challenges are time management -number one! Meeting deadlines, low self-confidence, and mostly resistance to change.
My journey with dyslexia whilst studying nursing can only be described as a rollercoaster ride , tackling the stigma of being dyslexic and not asking for help, resulted in failing my first year in Kingston university and starting all over again in Hertfordshire University and this time I had to step off the course to re do two modules in my second year before entering final year, all while I still was afraid to speak up to my teachers and family as a black female; in my community dyslexia was never embraced, it was seen as a negative or a problem.
Silently dealing with dyslexia and still not speaking up to ask for help, as I thought it would make me less than a normal nurse, which I now know is sooo untrue.
Now qualified for six years as a black female nurse working on the busy gastroenterology ward was hectic; not to mention when being in charge of the day or night shift, it was stressful but rewarding too.
Breaking through my imposter syndrome years later after questioning my ability, I just stop one day and spoke out to myself… You too, can nurse with dyslexia and still deliver excellent care to patients !!
Now I enjoy my role as a neurodivergent registered nurse in London
We are all different and that’s a positive thing, Dyslexia is not a limitation I would tell my community.