by Stephen Boyle

Introduction

As I reflect on my time navigating the world as a dyslexic individual, I realise that my journey has been one of resilience, adaptation, and transformation. From a long career in critical care nursing, then into NHS management and now driving change, my dyslexia has shaped my path in many, often unexpected ways.

Embracing my dyslexia

Once I understood it, dyslexia stopped being a limitation for me. In fact it’s offered me a unique way of processing information. Similar to how a skilled nurse assesses patients holistically, dyslexic thinking allows me to take a step back and see the bigger picture. I have learned to embrace my neurodivergent strengths.

My dyslexic mind sparks in areas such as creativity, problem-solving, and lateral thinking.

Using my Strengths

Where I started out, in critical care nursing, I honed my ability to think on my feet, adapt to emergencies, and communicate effectively. What I’ve discovered is is that Dyslexia has given me resilience – being able to quickly bounce back from setbacks and find alternative solutions. As an NHS manager, I used the skills that came from my dyslexia to be very effective in areas such as strategic planning, team collaboration, and innovation.

In many ways, dyslexic thinking has fuelled my ambition for delivering positive change.

Diversity drives Innovation

In much the same way as I advocate for patients, I’ve learned the importance of advocating for myself. I highlight my need for more time for reading. I’m an early adopter and avid user of digital tools for writing, and I actively build and improve supportive environments to work within.

In my current role where I am responsible for driving change, I champion digital solutions that enhance patient care. I work closely with interdisciplinary teams, appreciating and getting the most from each member’s unique perspective, to collaboratively deliver great solutions.

In my case, dyslexia is the unique lens through which I view the world. I celebrate diversity because I recognise that it is our differences that drive innovation.

My journey. 

My dyslexic journey isn’t just about me but it has helped to focus my goal – about creating a more inclusive healthcare system. My personal experience has helped me to advocate for accessible technology and promote digital literacy among nurses. [Note: long live the accessibility toolbar – which allows me to set page background colours so text doesn’t jump around – see link to reciteme below].

All of my (dyslexic) experience, where I am now, working together with my team and with colleagues in the health system, is focused on shaping a future-proofed, digitally enabled nursing workforce – one that delivers resilient, patient-centred care.

Some useful resources

Here is some information that I’ve found useful about understanding dyslexia, supports that are available and some valuable tools that can enable you to do the brilliant things that you can because of your dyslexia.

British Dyslexia Association (bdadyslexia.org.uk)

Dyslexia – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

https://reciteme.com/resource-hub/