Gavin and Seanna
Tuesday, 20 March, 2012 - 11:13
Gavin has “The Knowledge” and is making sure his daughter does too! “Dyslexia isn’t just about learning, its a part of everything I do. In our society if you can’t read, you can’t thrive.
When I was fourteen I was lucky enough to be part of a project that was funded by Hackney Council and I used to go to Dyslexia Action once per week for support. But the funding ran out once I started college. It was at this point that I lost my way. I knew I wasn’t stupid; I knew I wasn’t a low life; I loved education but education didn’t love me; it just didn’t soak in for some reason.
I did lots of jobs earning minimum wage but it was when my daughter Seanna was born that I had a wake up call. My uncle is a cabbie and he said to me: ‘Gavin you can do anything you put your mind to’. He encouraged me to do ‘The Knowledge’ to become a London cabbie. This was not something that I thought I could do because of having to pass exams; so I put it off.
My mum never let me give up and in the end I got back in touch with Dyslexia Action. Margaret and Maggie [Dyslexia Action specialist teachers] remembered me and Margaret assessed me and worked with me to make sure I got the support I needed to get me through ‘The Knowledge’.
It took me longer to get there but my way of learning has now clicked in my head and I have found my gift. Last year I completed my exams and I officially achieved ‘The Knowledge’ in October 2010. I now have a London Cab.
I’m just trying to make something of myself. I deserve the same opportunities as anyone else. I had the ability to go to uni but for me this was never possible. With dyslexia you’re in a cloud and without good support you will go down the pan.
I have found my way; I am a successful man and I am happy.” Gavin
“If my dad got a low score when he was studying for The Knowledge he would get really down and really annoyed. I used to tell him don’t give up, you can do it. I’m real proud of my dad.” Seanna (aged 13)
“At parents’ evening when Seanna was seven they told us that her reading age was very low. I knew she was dyslexic but it took until she was ten before she got the right help. I took information into the school from Dyslexia Action and have fought to get the funding for Seanna. Her Statement now pays for one lesson per week at Dyslexia Action, which is great but I want her to have more; at least two lessons per week.” Gavin
“For me dyslexia is like I know what I want to say but I can’t write it down. I can see a word in my head and remember exactly what letters are in it but I just can’t say what that word is.
When I used to write I used to find it hard as I could never spell the words I wanted to use, but now I am able to use what I am learning at Dyslexia Action to use any word I want. The support at Dyslexia Action is helping me to understand how I learn and I am growing in confidence. It is so good to come somewhere where they get me.” Seanna
When I was fourteen I was lucky enough to be part of a project that was funded by Hackney Council and I used to go to Dyslexia Action once per week for support. But the funding ran out once I started college. It was at this point that I lost my way. I knew I wasn’t stupid; I knew I wasn’t a low life; I loved education but education didn’t love me; it just didn’t soak in for some reason.
I did lots of jobs earning minimum wage but it was when my daughter Seanna was born that I had a wake up call. My uncle is a cabbie and he said to me: ‘Gavin you can do anything you put your mind to’. He encouraged me to do ‘The Knowledge’ to become a London cabbie. This was not something that I thought I could do because of having to pass exams; so I put it off.
My mum never let me give up and in the end I got back in touch with Dyslexia Action. Margaret and Maggie [Dyslexia Action specialist teachers] remembered me and Margaret assessed me and worked with me to make sure I got the support I needed to get me through ‘The Knowledge’.
It took me longer to get there but my way of learning has now clicked in my head and I have found my gift. Last year I completed my exams and I officially achieved ‘The Knowledge’ in October 2010. I now have a London Cab.
I’m just trying to make something of myself. I deserve the same opportunities as anyone else. I had the ability to go to uni but for me this was never possible. With dyslexia you’re in a cloud and without good support you will go down the pan.
I have found my way; I am a successful man and I am happy.” Gavin
“If my dad got a low score when he was studying for The Knowledge he would get really down and really annoyed. I used to tell him don’t give up, you can do it. I’m real proud of my dad.” Seanna (aged 13)
“At parents’ evening when Seanna was seven they told us that her reading age was very low. I knew she was dyslexic but it took until she was ten before she got the right help. I took information into the school from Dyslexia Action and have fought to get the funding for Seanna. Her Statement now pays for one lesson per week at Dyslexia Action, which is great but I want her to have more; at least two lessons per week.” Gavin
“For me dyslexia is like I know what I want to say but I can’t write it down. I can see a word in my head and remember exactly what letters are in it but I just can’t say what that word is.
When I used to write I used to find it hard as I could never spell the words I wanted to use, but now I am able to use what I am learning at Dyslexia Action to use any word I want. The support at Dyslexia Action is helping me to understand how I learn and I am growing in confidence. It is so good to come somewhere where they get me.” Seanna
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