We know that getting a diagnosis of dyslexia or learning disability can be scary, particularly early on when you don’t yet know what it all means. We hope these stories may help alleviate some of your angst and give you hope. We are not saying that it will come without hard work—but, it will come. Success starts here!
If you'd like to share your success story with others, please email us at dyslexiahelp@umich.edu.
Success Stories
Elementary School - Benjamin
After Benjamin came to our Center for therapy, he learned to better manage his dyslexia by writing stories and reading to his little sister.
Read Benjamin's story
Middle School - Alison
Though this student has dyslexia, she is an avid reader, an outstanding verbal communicator, and a highly creative thinker.
Read Alison's story
Middle School - Sarah
This dyslexic young girl has a flair for theater, singing, and helping others, and believes "if you’re dyslexic, you have a gift. You just have to find it."
Read Sarah's story
High School - Anonymous
The following was written by a very ambitious, highly motivated individual who wishes to remain anonymous.
Read Anonymous's story
High School - Hannah
This straight-A student and former client at our Center did not let dyslexia stand in the way of her educational goals.
Read Hannah's story
College - Carrie
Despite not receiving help until her high school years, one of our former clients at our Center fought through her struggles in school because of her dyslexia.
Read Carrie's story
College - Chris
One of our former clients at the Center learned the value of work ethic due to his dyslexia.
Read Chris's story.jpg)
College - Melissa
Melissa has always loved science, attending NASA’s Space Camp and Pilot Camp, but when it came to reading the textbooks, she struggled.
Read Melissa's story
College - Michelle
Despite having struggled with a learning disability all of her life, Michelle was able to succeed in school with the help of supportive parents and tutors.
Read Michelle's story
Adult - Marta
A young woman discusses her dyslexia and how it has not stopped her from writing.
Read Marta's story
CEOs with Dyslexia
Did you know that many of the world’s most successful CEOs turned their learning disabilities into learning opportunities?
Read and watch these CEOs's stories
Famous Authors with Dyslexia
These famous authors all battled dyslexia but went on to create some of the world's best literary works.
Read these authors's stories
Ansel Adams
Imagine you were asked to leave schools because you were dyslexic. That’s what Ansel Adams went through when he was young.
Read Ansel Adams's story
Malcolm Alexander
This renowned sculptor encourages fellow dyslexics to "find their gift and persevere."
Read Malcolm Alexander's story
Muhammad Ali
This successful boxer developed a reading program inspired by his struggles with dyslexia.
Read Muhammad Ali's story
David Arquette
This Dancing with the Stars performer and acclaimed actor used to fear public speaking due to dyslexia—but not anymore!
Read David Arquette's story
Marilyn Bartlett
It took Dr. Marilyn Bartlett until adulthood to realize she had a learning disability.
Read Marilyn Bartlett's story
Alice Beard
A now successful author from Kalamazoo, Michigan reflects on her struggles in school and how she overcame them.
Read Alice Beard's story
Michael Bennet
Despite all his success as a senator from Colorado, Michael Bennet failed the second grade.
Read Michael Bennet's story
Billy Blanks
The famed Taebo expert discovered his dyslexia late in life, but is still a successful body-shaping sensation.
Read Billy Blanks's story
Orlando Bloom
Orlando Bloom talks with Access Hollywood about his dyslexia and how it affected his education and his acting career.
Read Orlando Bloom's story
David Boies
David Boies has been involved in many high-profile lawsuits in the United States, but he struggles with reading and has a very limited vocabulary. How is he a successful lawyer with those struggles?
Read David Boies's story
Jeremy Bonderman
Jeremy Bonderman’s Major League Baseball career almost didn’t exist because of his dyslexia.
Read Jeremy Bonderman's story
Sonya Bridges
Former teacher Sonya Bridges is using the lessons she learned from battling with her own dyslexia to help fight against the illiteracy that plagues society today.
Read Sonya Bridges's story
Erin Brockovich
Erin Brockovich overcame dyslexia to become the lawyer who won a $333 million class-action lawsuit—the largest of its kind in U.S. history.
Read Erin Brockovich's story
John Chambers
It took a couple of large setbacks for John Chambers to realize that he could overcome anything.
Read John Chambers's story
Cher
It may be hard to believe that one of the most famous entertainers ever was a high school dropout.
Read Cher's story
Chuck Close
The famous photorealist painter had to overcome many hardships in his life, but not without learning the value of perseverance.
Read Chuck Close's story
Anderson Cooper
Anderson Cooper is a well-known journalist and TV personality on CNN, but he struggled with dyslexia at a young age.
Read Anderson Cooper's story
Collin Corkum
A 95-year-old former teacher talks about how he continues to help dyslexics succeed.
Read Collin Corkum's story
Toby Cosgrove
Both a CEO and a doctor, Dr. Toby Cosgrove presides over the prestigious Cleveland Clinic and was once a cardiac surgeon. However, he struggled mightily in college because of his dyslexia.
Read Toby Cosgrove's story
Rebekah Cox
The designer and developer of Quora battled dyslexia, but overcame it when she discovered her love for programming.
Read Rebekah Cox's story
Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise felt held back by his dyslexia, but hard work and determination led him to become an extremely successful actor.
Read Tom Cruise's story
Ron Davis
This successful engineer discusses how his struggles with dyslexia allowed him to notice his creativity.
Read Ron Davis's story
Patrick Dempsey
Though "Dr. McDreamy" has had a successful on-screen career in the TV series Grey’s Anatomy, Patrick Dempsey’s childhood wasn’t nearly as easy.
Read Patrick Dempsey's story
Tom Dickson
The man behind the development of the Will it Blend? video series and some of the world's most powerful home blenders reveals that he battles dyslexia.
Read Tom Dickson's story
Fred Epstein
Despite struggling with learning disabilities, Fred Epstein became one of the most innovative neurosurgeons in the pediatric field.
Read Fred Epstein's story
Fannie Flagg
Ever since she was six years old, Fannie Flagg had wanted to be a writer, but her dyslexia delayed that career.
Read Fannie Flagg's story
Ben Foss
The invention of the Intel Reader was inspired by its creator's dyslexia.
Read Ben Foss's story
Nina G.
Usually, it's not polite to laugh at someone with a learning disability. But in the case of Nina G., she wants you to laugh.
Read Nina G.'s story
GabyGaby
Dutch multimedia artist GabyGaby shares his all-positive attitude about his dyslexia.
Read GabyGaby's story
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg talks career, education, and dyslexia.
Read Whoopi Goldberg's story
Frank Gore
This San Francisco 49ers running back has struggled with dyslexia, but has still gone on to become a professional football player.
Read Frank Gore's story
Alex Green
This Green Bay Packers player discovered he was dyslexic through exploring his talents on the football field.
Read Alex Green's story
Carol Greider
For a woman who has made a breakthrough in DNA and cancer research and won a Nobel Prize, it’s hard to imagine that she was barely accepted to graduate school.
Read Carol Greider's story
Lillian Harris
Nine-year-old Lillian Harris used to approach speaking aloud in school with alarm and dread, but upon learning she has dyslexia, her confidence in school has grown dramatically.
Read Lillian Harris' story
Salma Hayek
Learning a second language isn’t an easy task, but for Mexican-born actress Salma Hayek, it wasn’t impossible, even with her learning disability.
Read Salma Hayek's story
Tommy Hilfiger
This renowned fashion designer's dyslexia was actually a contributing factor to his success.
Read Tommy Hilfiger's story
Anthony Hopkins
How was Anthony Hopkins able to win an Oscar, two Emmys, and the Cecil B. DeMille Award for Lifetime Achievement? He credits his dyslexia for his interest in acting.
Read Anthony Hopkins's story
Jack Horner
Despite his dyslexia causing him to fail out of college several times, Jack Horner still went on to win a MacArthur Fellowship for his contributions to the field of science.
Read Jack Horner's story
Emma Jefferies
Creative thinker Emma Jefferies has caught our attention with her buzzworthy set of videos about living with dyslexia.
Read Emma Jefferies's story
Bruce Jenner
Bruce Jenner, the 1976 Olympic Gold Medal Decathlon champion, says he believes his dyslexia is the reason he won the Games.
Read Bruce Jenner's story
Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson may be most famous for his project in public awareness to help combat HIV. But there was another disability Johnson struggled with in his youth — dyslexia.
Read Magic Johnson's story
Dean Kamen
Not many people know who invented the Segway, the futuristic-looking individual transportation vehicle, but now you do.
Read Dean Kamen's story
Ingvar Kamprad
Ever wonder how IKEA came up with unique Swedish names for all of its furniture? It was from its founder, Ingvar Kamprad, who is dyslexic.
Read Ingvar Kamprad's story
Keira Knightley
Did you know actress Keira Knightley originally got into acting because of her learning disability?
Read Keira Knightley's story
Chris Koehl
Former So You Think You Can Dance participant Chris Koehl opens up about his learning disability.
Read Chris Koehl's story
Jillian Levy
Many scholars studying dyslexia have gone through extensive schooling to become experts in the field, but for one member of the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD), it was her experience that taught her what she knows.
Read Jillian Levy's story
Greg Louganis
Even one of the world’s greatest divers ever has overcome some setbacks.
Read Greg Louganis's story
Alex Malchow
This father-son duo have written a bestselling story about having the courage to overcome hardship—and it was all inspired by a learning disability.
Read Alex Malchow's story
Dannel Malloy
This famous politician did not let his school struggles or his dyslexia slow him down.
Read Dannel Malloy's story
Jacob Meders
One thing that didn’t stop artist Jacob Meders from living his dream was his dyslexia.
Read Jacob Meders's story
Alyssa Milano
Alyssa Milano has had her share of success, despite being dyslexic.
Read Alyssa Milano's story
Patricia Polacco
Dyslexic author/illustrator and Michigan native Patricia Polacco talks about her work.
Read Patricia Polacco's story
Princess Victoria
Swedish Crown Princess Victoria was bullied because of her struggles with reading and writing. She now speaks up for dyslexic children.
Read Princess Victoria's story
Robert Rauschenberg
Robert Rauschenberg’s dyslexia helped him create art—art that uses words.
Read Robert Rauschenberg's story
Rex Ryan
The New York Jets coach embraces his dyslexia and encourages fellow dyslexics to do the same.
Read Rex Ryan's story
Lauren Santaniello
This dyslexic college student has published her first novel—and more are to come.
Read Lauren Santaniello's story
Mark Schlereth
Not being able to read until he was in middle school didn’t stop Mark Schlereth from becoming a successful NFL player.
Read Mark Schlereth's story
Philip Schultz
This Pulitzer Prize winning poet overcame dyslexia by inventing a new way to read.
Read Philip Schultz's story
Charles Schwab
Charles Schwab, the 67th richest man in America and one of the world’s most influential and esteemed businessmen, credits his success to his dyslexia.
Read Charles Schwab's story
Steven Spielberg
One of the world's most famous directors has struggled with dyslexia all his life. Yet, he still went on to create some of film's best masterpieces.
Read Steven Spielberg's story
Gris Suarez
This artistic woman's success story was written by Major Chris Heatherly of the United States Army.
Read Gris Suarez's story
Tim Tebow
The former Denver Broncos quarterback gives talks about his dyslexia and reads "Green Eggs and Ham" aloud.
Read Tim Tebow's story
Bella Thorne
Hear a young actress discuss her character's—as well as her own—life with dyslexia.
Read Bella Thorne's story
Vince Vaughn
For Vince Vaughn, making people laugh has never been hard. But not all things in life have come easy for the famous funnyman.
Read Vince Vaughn's story
Florence Welch
Successful musician Florence Welch found her passion in singing, in part, because of her dyslexia.
Read Florence Welch's story
Chef Marco Pierre White
A kitchen guru, this chef and former mentor to Gordon Ramsay discusses his experience with dyslexia.
Read Chef Marco Pierre White's story
Woodrow Wilson
Imagine that you didn't learn to read until you were twelve—and yet you went on to become the President of the United States.
Read Woodrow Wilson's story
Henry Winkler
Read about how the man who played The Fonz co-wrote 17 children's books inspired by his own struggles with dyslexia.
Read Henry Winkler's story
Joe Wright
Joe Wright went from being called "stupid" in school to directing movies based on some of the most complex literature in the world.
Read Joe Wright's story
Other Inspirational Stories
Steve Jobs
The late founder of the Apple Company shares his wisdom on how to achieve success in life.
Read Steve Jobs's story
J.K. Rowling
While not dyslexic herself, the famous author has been giving substantial gifts to Dyslexia Action for several years.
Read J.K. Rowling's story
