I was diagnosed at age 31 as severely dyslexic, dyscalculic, and dyspraxic—the “3 D’s.” To this day, I still can’t spell those words correctly. What does it mean to be dyslexic? It can feel like a million-dollar question. At times, it’s frustrating; other times, it’s amazing.
My Story
I was diagnosed as a mature student halfway through my MSc program. Three years earlier, I had completed a BA (Hons) with a 2:1, completely unaware of my dyslexia. During my MSc, one of my lecturers showed my work to his wife, a schoolteacher. She suspected dyslexia, and I was sent for an assessment at the university’s center. It turned out she was right.
At first, I had no idea what dyslexia really was. I started reading, got support, and learned what it means for me. I’m still learning. Dyslexia is unique to each individual, and no two people experience it the same way.
Early Signs
When I was 15, we had to decide our next step in education. I chose a catering college. The school required an application form, which I filled out and submitted for review. In the meantime, I attended an open day at the college, spoke with the lecturers, and applied directly there. Four days later, I was accepted.
A couple of weeks after that, my year head came into our form class with my application, which was riddled with spelling errors. In front of everyone, he ridiculed me, saying I’d never get into college or amount to anything because of my poor spelling and handwriting. He made me stand up while he did this. When he finally asked what I was going to do, I calmly told him I’d already been accepted and would be leaving school in a month. The room fell silent. It was a satisfying moment for me.
Even then, I knew I saw the world differently. I rarely followed the “expected path” of the neurotypical world, but I never understood why. In the 1970s and 1980s, no one made the connection.
Life as a Chef
After leaving school at 15, I spent 16 years as a chef. My goals were to cook, travel, and later, party. I did all of that and thoroughly enjoyed it. In my opinion, the catering industry is filled with neurodiverse individuals, with neurotypical people playing a supporting role. Creative minds thrive in what many see as “organized chaos.”
Over time, I realized I was working alongside university-educated people, and I knew I had just as much intelligence—if not more—than some of them. It took me another five years to build up the confidence (and sheer stubbornness) to return to education.
Returning to Education
I completed an adult return-to-education course and then earned a BA (Hons) 2:1. Next came my MSc, which was fast-paced and had a heavy workload. During my BA, I had friends who helped proofread my work, but the MSc was more solitary. My dyslexia became obvious to one of my lecturers, leading to my formal diagnosis.
A Mix of Emotions
Receiving the diagnosis at 31 was a whirlwind of feelings:
- Relief: Finally, there was a reason for my lifelong spelling struggles.
- Anger: Why hadn’t anyone caught this at school?
- Uncertainty: What do I do with this new information?
I could only act on the third question. I dove into learning about dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dyspraxia, which was eye-opening. Suddenly, so many aspects of my life made sense—like why I couldn’t coordinate my bike brakes until I was nine (I used to jump off at speed and let it crash). Yet I’d been riding horses since I was two, which also requires coordination. It was a puzzle of contradictions.
Finding Strength in the 3 D’s
The more I learned about my “3 D’s,” the better I understood what worked for me. I explored IT support packages to help me write a 25,000-word document. I revisited English grammar rules. I realized that not everyone can think in 3D images, anticipate issues in projects, or visualize how 2D plans translate into the real world. But I can—and that’s a powerful skill, especially in project management.
Reading The Gift of Dyslexia by Ron Davis showed me that although these conditions have downsides, they also come with unique advantages. Identifying your personal strengths and leveraging them can be a game-changer.
Embracing the Diagnosis
Was it easy? No. Worthwhile journeys rarely are. Yes, I had moments of tears and frustration, but not doing anything was never an option. My stubbornness served me well.
Ultimately, a late-life diagnosis turned my world upside down. It provided answers, reasons, and also made me question why I wasn’t identified earlier. I felt defeated, sorry for myself, and determined all at once. But it flipped a switch, helping me realize:
I am the 3 D’s. It’s not something “done to me.” It’s part of who I am and always will be. I just need to understand it, work with it, and use these gifts to live my best life.
Do I still encounter people who point out my bad spelling? Of course. But my response is simple: “I’m dyslexic. Get over it.” That usually ends the conversation quickly.