'How I learned to beat dyslexia' COLLEGE HAILS 'AMAZING' PROGRESS AS BARRY, 51, IS HALFWAY THROUGH GCSE MATHS COURSE

Barry Ball, aged 51, only found out he suffered from dyslexia after his son was diagnosed with the same condition. Now armed with that information, he has re-launched his education...

From:
    Coventry Evening Telegraph (England)
Date:
    February 21, 2003

Byline: DAYLE CRUTCHLOW

A MAN who only found out he suffered from dyslexia after his son was diagnosed with the same condition, is set for exam success after launching himself into a series of adult learning courses at Bedworth College.

Barry Ball, aged 51, of Nuneaton, works as a vehicle tester for Warwickshire County Council.

He had struggled to cope with figures and words for his whole life before he realised what was holding him back.

Now Barry can now complete all his MOT certificate paperwork with no problems - and even his confidence in social situations has improved.

Barry explained: "I left school with no qualifications because, at the time, dyslexia was not recognised as a learning difficulty and this meant I had extremely low self- confidence.

"When my son was diagnosed with dyslexia, I was asked if I would like to be assessed, too, and once I discovered I had the same problem, I was asked to attend a 10-week course run by the Dyslexia Institute.

"From then on, I have enjoyed every minute of my learning, which has included completing basic maths and English at level two, and I am now halfway through my GSCE maths course at Bedworth College."

Mr Ball added: "I think the biggest thing for me was to admit that I needed learning support as once I was past that stage, I have managed to make a significant difference in my work and social life.

"My employers at the county council have been extremely understanding and supportive and since entering the world of adult learning, I have been on additional training courses to become a first-aid officer and a fire warden."

Barry's tutor at Bedworth College, Jenny Marshall, said: "Barry's development has been amazing, considering when he first joined us he had difficulty reading, writing and applying numbers to everyday situations.

"He has now been attending courses at the college's different sites for five years and was our Adult Learner of the Year in 2001."

"Along the way, his confidence in social situations has steadily improved.

"Because of his considerable progress and unfaltering enthusiasm, Barry will now be sitting his GCSE maths exam in June and everyone here at the college is rooting for him to succeed."

dayle.crutchlow@mrn.co.uk

CAPTION(S):

IT ALL ADDS UP: Barry Ball is calculating success through adult learning, with help from Bedworth College tutor Jenny Marshall

COPYRIGHT 2003 Coventry Newpapers.