Mark and Nadine's journey | National Dyslexia Awareness Week 2023

This #NationalDyslexiaAwarenessWeek we've spoken to Nadine Baldwin, Apprentice Emergency Medical Technician and Mark Stead, Education Manager about their experience with dyslexia and working with the Trust.

Nadine:

What challenges have you faced with your role in EEAST due to your Dyslexia?

Various different ways, from what some may seem as a normal day to day task, using an iPad for patient report forms. I take my time to ensure all information that's put in is correct and always get another colleague to cross check my spellings. 

 

What support have you been provided to overcome any challenges you have faced?

My management team have been supportive, giving me advise of how to do my written work by given my drafts which have been highlighted to make it easier for myself to read.

I also have a LOM whom is also dyslexic and I know that should I come across difficulties I know that they are there to support my needs also. 

 

If you had to tell people one thing about Dyslexia what would it be? 

Dyslexia is nothing to be afraid of, everybody has different learning needs and people with diagnosed/ non diagnosed dyslexia process information differently from others. Not all dyslexia is the same. 

 

Mark

What challenges have you faced with your role in EEAST due to your Dyslexia?

In my role a lot of my daily tasks and activities revolve around communicating through writing. I have always been a poor speller and sometimes find it difficult and more time consuming to plan and express my thoughts in writing. My memory for names has always been a challenge and it takes me a while to recall the name of someone I’ve recently met or who I don’t work with regularly.

 

What support have you been provided to overcome any challenges you have faced?

Over the years I’ve found coping strategies that work well for me. The use of technology has helped me overcome most challenges posed by Dyslexia. Microsoft Office has assistive tools which have been a massive help. I use the Read Aloud function which reads back what I have written and helps me correct any errors before I press send. I try to stay organised and plan extra time in my work schedule, allotting more time for tasks that I know will take longer for me to complete. When I need to concentrate, I will try and make sure I’m working in a quite space away from other distractions. I still havent developed a good strategy that helps my recall of names, but feel that’s just part of who I am.

 

If you had to tell people one thing about Dyslexia, what would it be?

Each person with Dyslexia experiences it in ways that are individual to them. If you have Dyslexia don’t be afraid to speak to your colleagues and manager about what works best for you.