Hopelands

	Imagine trying to read if this is what you saw when you looked at a word!

It never ceases to amaze me how people can devote their lives to the most arcane subjects. Dyslexia is a problem that affects some people, making it hard for them to learn to read and write. It is not to be confused with all those idiots who can't be bothered to learn the rules of grammar and spelling, who can't distinguish between "there", "their" and "they're" but who always manage to spell "dyslexia" correctly!

The true dyslexic commonly confuses 'p' and 'd' or 'b' and 'd', and may even find that the words "dance" on the page or run together, or lines blur into one another. Children with this problem are often condemned as dunces or stupid, but help is available.

The lady who runs Hopelands has spent the last couple of decades providing training and advice to dyslexics and their parents. Some of it as simple as the clever little gizmo that helps a child hold its pen or pencil correctly, some is extremely sophisticated educational or psychological techniques to help a dyslexic cope with his problem.

Unfortunately it seems that Hopelands is no longer functioning, but I am retaining the film as a reminder that help is available, whether you are dyslexic yourself or the parent of a child with that problem. There are various charities which provide the same sorts of services, all around the world.