LD Blog

Many individuals who have Learning Disabilities have risen to high levels of achievement. In a strong article for the Chicago Tribune, Kath Bergen tells the tale of several people who, though they may not be the news headliners often featured in such articles, have achieved very well in their work. Here’s Mr. Bergen’s lead:

Soft-spoken and conservatively dressed, Bill Jacobs owns eight car dealerships that did $400 million in sales last year. As a child, he couldn’t swim freestyle or tie his shoes.

Chicago economist Diane Swonk, blessed with chiseled cheekbones and an ultraquick mind, is a TV darling, appearing 105 times in the past year. As a student, multiple-choice tests gave her headaches and blurred her vision. “It looked like the letters were dancing on the page,” she recalled.

Restaurateur Jerry Kleiner, who has an uncanny knack for spotting the next hot neighborhood, recently opened his latest chic eatery, Carnivale, to rave reviews. But as a high school student, he said, “I was lost. I was really lost. If someone had said, `Do your homework or you’ll be shot and killed,’ I still couldn’t have done it.”

Over time Kleiner found his path, as did Swonk and Jacobs and countless other high-profile business people who have learning disabilities, whether attention-deficit (hyperactivity) disorder, dyslexia, some elements of each, or other learning differences.

Ms. Bergen does not depend solely on these cases to illustrate the fact that individuals with LD can accomplish great things. She refers to people in not-so-renowned areas; understandably, many come from the the world of business because Ms. Bergin’s beat is business, but also she draws examples from other disciplines such as the ministry and journalism. Although some of the cases that Ms. Bergin uses are based on potentially inaccurrate self-diagnoses, there are enough cases (and good comments Sally Shaywitz) to make a strong argument for the potential of many individuals with LD to contribute to our society in valuable ways.

It’s articles such as this one that can be used beneficially to encourage students with disabilities. To be sure, high-profile high achievers with LD deservce recognition and can serve as role models. That there are many individuals with LD who have achieved well but who do not have the celebrity of, say, Greg Louganis offers a compelling illustration the benefits of persistence and making good use of the skills, abilities, and knowledge one has.

Link to Ms. Bergin’s article. Links to previous posts in this series: a golfer, Sir Jack Stewart, a pre-med student….

Thanks to Janet Lerner for the tip.