Dyslexia Awareness Week - Danielle Darke

Danielle Darke is a Recruitment Manager in our London office. For this year's Dyslexia Awareness Week, she shares with you her experience.

"I was diagnosed with dyslexia in my last year of primary school. I often find that it becomes worse under pressure and have vivid memories of my English teacher making me read to the class aloud and then subsequently re-read the paragraphs he asked me to read after he realised that I had subconsciously re-written some of the sentences… although I would then often debate how my version sounded much better…

It’s a constant battle of skipping ahead when reading and proof-reading my emails to ensure they actually make sense. There are always particular words that I get muddled or stuck with, one being associate which is quite unfortunate for my job role! My brain also tends to run at 100 miles per hour and I have often had friends and close family tell me that they cannot keep up with my brain when it’s having a moment.

That being said and after building some confidence I have never been ashamed or let my dyslexia hold me back. The highest grades I achieved during my GCSEs were English Literature and Language, as despite the occasional need to decrypt my text messages and email correspondence, I actually really enjoyed creative writing and one of my favourite things to do when I get half an hour of down time is crosswords. This seems ironic and challenging for someone with a brain like mine.

The main way I manage the dyslexia in my daily life and at work is through practice, creating lists and using the tools I have available such as spell check and Co-Pilot. I am also super grateful to colleagues and management who allow me to feel comfortable enough to cross check and proof read any correspondence of great significance. And unsurprisingly, my preferred communication style is verbal which is fortunate as a recruiter.

My defining moment with dyslexia was when a learning support member of staff at my school placed a wooden alphabet in front of me at 14. I don’t think this had the desired effect she was looking as it incited immediate feelings of anger and frustration. However i will forever be grateful for that moment as it gave me the confidence to go and prove just how little she had understood me. You are not stupid or incapable, neither do you lack attention to detail. It just means your brain works differently and you need take the time to understand how and what works best for you.

My advice to others, whilst easier said than done, is not to feel shame or lack of confidence around your abilities. Albert Einstein said 'if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree it will spend its whole life thinking it is stupid'. Albert Einstein also showed symptoms of dyslexia in his work.

It is great to work in a supportive firm and environment in which I can be myself, without judgment or stigma."