Outcomes
In spite of dyslexia, these persons often have many strengths and gifts. They are quite creative, artistic, have high levels of empathy, and many other talents. While the underlying problems are often considered lifelong, once the dyslexic student has been successfully remediated, he/she can be extremely successful in college, vocational school, business and in most careers.
Famous Persons with Dyslexia and/or AD/HD
Artists & Artisans
Tommy Hilfiger is an internationally-known fashion designer.
Athletes
Bruce Jenner, 1976 gold medalist in the Olympic decathlon, is described as the “World’s Greatest Athlete.”
Greg Louganis received an Olympic gold medal in diving in the 184 and 1988 games.
Hank Kuehne, PGA star, used golf as an escape from his troubles at school.
Chris Kaman is the center for the NDA’s Los Angeles Clippers.
Business Leaders
Charles Schwab is founder, chairperson, and CEO of the Charles Schwab Corporation, the largest brokerage firm in the U. S.
Paul Orfalea is the founder and chairperson of Kinko’s, an international, billion-dollar copy service company.
Community Advocates and Activists
Valli Kugler, Miss Tennessee 2002, who set up a summer camp for children with learning disabilities when she was a student at the University of Tennessee.
Dexter Scott King, son of civil right leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is President and CEO of The King Center in Atlanta, GA. His memoir, Growing Up King, was published in 2003.
Scientists
Dr. John (Jack) Horner is a famous paleontologist, or dinosaur expert, who advised Steven Spielberg on films such as Jurassic Park.
Writers and Media Professionals
Stephen J. Cannell is a successful novelist and an Emmy Award-winning TV writer and producer who has created or co-created over 40 different shows.
Victor Villasenor is a Mexican-American author who has written 9 novels, 65 short stories, and a critically–acclaimed screenplay.
Fannie Flagg is a writer and actor who is most famous for her novel Fried Green Tomatoes which was later produced as a movie.
Explorers
Ann Bancroft, an honoree in the National Women’s Hall of Fame, was the first woman to travel to the North Pole and lead an all-woman dog-sled team to the South Pole.