Desperation to Inspiration In Thirty Minutes Flat!
By Peter Simmons

Hi my name is Peter. I'm no success guru, in fact i've never written an article on this subject before, ever! So why am i writing it now you ask? To tell you of something that truly inspired me and i hope will inspire you too.

Steve and i have been best friends for about twenty years now. Like most people we've had our ups and downs over the years and despite moving to different areas we've still kept in touch. In fact i really like that about our friendship, no matter what happens we'll always keep in touch and support each other.

We're not really the kind of best friends that contact each other every day or even every other day. On average its probably about every two to three weeks. I suppose like most people we have tried to weave our way through life with what we have. Neither of us setting the world alight when we left school with only minor school qualifications and not really being good at anything in particular. Steve had always considered himself impaired in some way. He discovered he was dyslexic sometime later and led a dyslexic life. He didnt read or write unless forced and this ultimately had a huge impact on his life. He didnt learn much and he didnt know what was going on in the world because he didnt watch the news, read newspapers, books or sign up for any courses. Worst of all, he increasingly suffered from a lack of self-confidence that affected everything he did or thought about doing negatively. I noticed it more and more and it really got me down to see him like that.

I tried to encourage him telling him he could do anything he wanted and giving examples of people who had achieved in their lives often against what seemed to be huge obstacles. It wasnt having much effect he just saw the negative.

One day i saw one of those tv ads for a tv programme that was just about to start. The programme was apparently going to be investigating a new treatment for dyslexia sufferers. He might find it interesting i thought and sent him a phone text message, "channel 3 now". I watched the thirty minute programme. Although it was still early in their research trials, their results were positive. I wondered if he had seen it and found it interesting. I didnt hear from him, so made a mental note to ask him what he thought of it next time we spoke and thought no more about it.

The tv programme had showed that so far in the trials, if sufferers did a series of eye and body coordination exercises daily, they significantly improved their learning abilities, reading and writing. This in-turn had a profound effect on their self-confidence and daily lives. They didnt consider themselves impaired or different anymore, they became new people and people saw that dramatic change in them instantly.

A few days later he phoned me. Something had changed in his voice, he sounded charged with excitement. As i sat stunned he explained that his whole life had changed. Everything that the dyslexia sufferers in the tv programme had suffered he had also suffered. Feelings of being worthless, stupid, confused, lacking in concentration, severe frustration, lack of confidence. He identified with these people of all ages who felt the same as he did, he wasnt the only one suffering with it. He wasnt alone anymore. I remained stunned as he continued to talk and eventually he became conscious of the fact he hadnt stopped talking. I told him to carry on because it was good to hear him talking so positively and confidently. He'd also just landed a new job as a care support worker which involves helping and supporting others with some kind of difficulty in their homes. I couldnt believe the transformation i was witnessing.

A few days later i spoke to him again by phone and was relieved to find that it hadnt been a dream, it was real and he was still the new Steve. He was still positive and motivated. He'd even started to read a book, something he hadnt done before.

At the time i write this article, Steve has sent off for more information on the trials and the oversubscribed course they are beginning to offer. He hasnt yet received any information or taken any courses, yet he feels as if he's benefitted because he's been doing some of the simple daily exercises he saw being done by the sufferers on the programme.

Steve, you inspired me!

I hope by writing this article it will inspire others to change their lives for the better too, whether you suffer with dyslexia or not. Always be on the lookout for that spark of opportunity that could change your life or someone close to you forever.

Good luck!
© 2002 Peter Simmons