British MP opens up about dyslexia after being criticised for spelling errors on social media

I want to say something about living with acute dyslexia because Twitter can be a pretty unforgiving place for people with unseen challenges.

Every day I get picked up on something I write. Mostly it’s kindly or humorous which is appreciated.

Sometimes it’s sneering or brutal

— Peter Kyle MP (@peterkyle) October 27, 2019

The MP who says he has reading and comprehension issues said he recently faced criticism after spelling border as ‘boarder’.

The 49-year-old explained in the Tweet that his learning ability felt as if his eyes were not connected to his brain. He also said that sometimes words are just shapes.”However much I try to engage my brain, the connection just isn’t there. I can see the shape but it simply has no meaning,” he added.

Dyslexia is a learning disability involving difficulty in reading due to a problem in identifying speech sounds and how they relate to words and sounds.

What’s it like? Imagine a car where the gearbox (my eyes) isn’t connected properly to the engine (brain).

Sometimes words are just shapes. However much I try to engage my brain, the connection just isn’t there. I can see the shape but it simply has no meaning.

Frustrating, huh

— Peter Kyle MP (@peterkyle) October 27, 2019

The MP, who has a degree and PhD from the University of Sussex, recalled an embarrassing moment in school when he was made to read Shakespeare aloud in class. He also said that he now uses cream paper while giving speeches- a technique which is recognised as a method to help people with dyslexia read.

After the post was widely shared and liked, fellow MP Harriet Harman and Yvette Cooper were among those who praised him for sharing his challenges. Take a look at some of the reactions to the thread:

Thank you, that is one of the best descriptions of dyslexia I have read. Normally, we get an expert’s version, which is OK but it is different for every one.
Keep up the good work.

— Kel. (@Kel70824886) October 28, 2019

A fabulous thread. My husband is dyslexic, and had a rough time at school. Teachers used to call him thick, and refused to put him through for any exams. I am educated to university level, but I wouldn’t change him for the world! ❤

— Lisa Pearce #VoteLabour (@tynecat67) October 28, 2019

Well done that man

Beautiful thread, Peter, and you’re a beautiful soul.

— Alison Moyet (@AlisonMoyet) October 28, 2019

Hope you can leave this behind you now. At 61 and a retired teacher I still read my messages/letters/emails/etc out aloud trying to check my written English and hopefully to pick up any spelling errors! See it, say it, hear it! 😏
— Rose Jones Esq. 🕷️ (@Airhead2) October 27, 2019

Humbling to read this, Peter. Thank you.

— Marvellous Mavis McMinty Esq. (@MMcminty) October 28, 2019

Thank you for being so open and honest Peter, this makes a big difference to folk!

— Callum O’Dwyer (@callumjodwyer) October 27, 2019

Some of our greatest achievers have been dyslexic. I have never once spotted any typos in your tweets. Instead, I have seen thoughtful, inspirational and powerful comments. Don’t give any of these pedants a second thought, Peter. Stay strong.

— Roy Bailey (@DrRoyBailey) October 27, 2019

What a fabulous thread!

— Steve Rees (@steverees01) October 27, 2019