LD Blog

During my adolescence (in the previous millenium, of course), I volunteered to help with the tasks of the pit crew for an amateur sports car racing team. I also read magazines such as Road & Track and Car & Driver, learning about sports cars, racing, and the professionals who raced sports cars. Among other stars (Sterling Moss, Caroll Shelby, Jim Hall, Bruce McLaren, Bob Bondurant, Alain Prost, and Graham Hill) there was a driver named John Young (”Jackie”) Stewart. In a few years my attention drifted from racing to other matters (e.g., a young woman named Pat and teaching kids with disabilities, to name two distractions), but I remember that Jackie Stewart was a very successful driver as well as an advocate for greater safety in racing.

My memories of Sir Stewart—he was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1972—were jogged when I wrote the entry on celebrity dyslexia yesterday. I spent a little time following up on Sir. Stewart’s work on dyslexia, and I was overwhelmed. It appears that Sir Stewart has approached the task of championing services for individuals with dyslexia with the same determination that he showed on the track. For example, he has been very visible in the press coverage of a university initiative. Here is just a little sampling of what I found:

• From the Scottish government—Dyslexia Scotland charity launched: A new charity, Dyslexia Scotland, is launched today with the aim of helping thousands of people with dyslexia across the country. It will combine the expertise of two leading charities, the Scottish Dyslexia Trust and Dyslexia in Scotland, and have Sir Jackie Stewart as President and Sir Peter Burt as chairman of the Board.
• From the Scottish government—New project to improve teaching of children with dyslexia: A pioneering new project at the University of Aberdeen will train new teachers in how best to help children with dyslexia and other learning difficulties, it was announced today. The project will create a new Chair of Inclusive Studies at the University and is the result of discussions between the First Minister, Sir Jackie Stewart, President of Dyslexia Scotland and University Principal and Vice-Chancellor Prof Duncan Rice.
• From the University of Aberdeen—First Minister to announce major funding award to support children with dyslexia: Scotland’s First Minister Jack McConnell will [announce funding for a project]…. The First Minister will be joined by former Formula One World Champion, Sir Jackie Stewart, and the Principal of the University of Aberdeen, Professor C Duncan Rice.
• From the BBC—Dyslexia fight goes into top gear: The charity’s [Scottish Dyslexia Trust and Dyslexia in Scotland] president, former F1 champion Sir Jackie Stewart, said he thought he was “thick” at school before discovering he was dyslexic.
• From the BBC—New dyslexia role speeding ahead: Motor racing legend Jackie Stewart has visited Aberdeen University at the launch of Scotland’s first professorship in dyslexia.
• From the Scotsman—Sir Jackie Stewart hails university dyslexia post: SIR Jackie Stewart, the motor racing legend, launched a world first for Scotland yesterday with the setting up of a professorship in dyslexia and other learning disabilities.
• From the Herald—University to train teachers in dealing with dyslexia: SCOTLAND’S first university professorship in dyslexia has been created to train teachers on how to educate children with learning difficulties. Sir Jackie Stewart, the former Formula One champion driver and himself dyslexic, was instrumental in setting up the post at one of Scotland’s oldest universities.
• From Dyslexia Adults Link—Formula One Ace Jackie Stewart Attacks Slur on Dyslexic Drivers: Some of the country’s most prominent dyslexics, including Sir Jackie Stewart, the former world racing champion, have reacted furiously to research claiming the condition makes them dangerous drivers.

The coverage Sir Stewart’s participation brought to this event shows actual benefits that can accrue from dyslexia among celebrities. Media’s attraction to celebrities makes it worthwhile to capitalize on their difficulties. Although I have reservations about the motivational value of pointing to famous individuals with dyslexia, Sir Stewart’s contributions here are clear and very valuable.