DIAGNOSED with dyslexia in her 20s, the now Sunshine Coast author and personal development strategist Yogita Ridgley has learnt to embrace her true self.
Writing ‘Finding Me, Myself and I’ was a journey that led Yogita down a path of self-discovery.
However, it wasn’t always easy. From a young age, Yogita knew she was different – at least, she was told she was.
When she was just 6 years old, Yogita was given an English test where she had to spell 20 words. “I did not get one word right,” she said.
“My teacher asked me to stand in front of the class so she could teach other children a lesson. I was called stupid, lazy, dumb and an embarrassment to the class.
“I stood there shaking, tears rolling down my cheeks, wishing to be invisible. I was not stupid, not lazy, I’m definitely not dumb. I am dyslexic.”
Yogita found her passion in educating people about what life is like living with dyslexia and helping others find their authentic selves, no matter what challenges they face.
Her first published book ‘Finding Me, Myself and I’ is made up of journal entries Yogita compiled while travelling the world.
For someone who has dreamed about writing a book for as long as she can remember, this was a monumental achievement.
“Having a published book means that anyone is capable of doing anything. It doesn’t matter how big your challenge; you can still become something amazing,” Yogita said.
“I invested in my personal development to shift my self-esteem from not existing to self-belief and confidence, learned to accept that I am dyslexic and embraced my dyslexic powers and learned to manage my dyslexic weakness.
“Now it is my life’s purpose to bringing awareness to dyslexia so people understand this condition, its weaknesses and its strengths.”
Yogita has advice for others who are dyslexic.
Step one – get tested if:
– you struggle with spelling, reading, writing.
– your child is struggling with spelling, reading, writing.
– you are a teacher and your student is struggling with spelling, reading, writing.
Step two – know you are not alone.
Step three – work on your self-esteem and self-belief/confidence.
Yogita said it had been scientifically proven that dyslexic brains were wired to process information differently.
“For those with dyslexia their brain has an incredibly difficult time doing what’s called phonetic decoding, so they struggle with reading (connecting the sounds), writing (connecting the letters) and grammar.
“People with dyslexia see the world differently because they are capable of seeing the big picture, to think outside the square, and to create and connect with empathy,” Yogita said.
“Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, Walt Disney, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Chris Robshaw, Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Steven Spielberg and Richard Branson are a few of the world’s dyslexic people who have used their dyslexic powers and abilities to do amazing things in the world.
“Dyslexic weaknesses are reading, writing and spelling. It is a struggle we live with daily.
“Dyslexic powers are creativity, innovation, futurist, problem solver, out-of-the-box thinker, storyteller, leadership qualities, strategist and empathy. We can’t read the language, but we can read people.
“Imagination is the key to everything. Dyslexia is your superpower. Stop living in shame and step into your superpower,” Yogita said.
Yogita’s book can be purchased in a print format or as an e-book via her website at
www.travelingwithmemyselfandi.com/shop
