“Dyslexic and Proud” – Sam Rapp, The Dyslexic Poet

Dyslexia has many facets. It can co-occur with difficulties such as dyspraxia and dyscalculia. There are many negative perceptions about those with dyslexia. Words and phrases like “lazy”, “stupid” and “won’t amount to much” are often said to dyslexic children and adults.

These words are all things that have been said to me. I perform as Sam Rapp – The Dyslexic Poet. I am dyslexic, dyspraxic and have dyscalculia. Lucky me, I have all three!

I have been a writer since the age of seven and always had stories in my head, but I struggled at primary school with writing and maths.

My frustrations manifested themselves as challenging behaviour. This led me to daily visits to the headteacher’s office, but instead of telling me off, he talked to me and explained things in a manner that I could follow and understand.

So, eventually I started to comprehend some of the most complex subjects. I have fond memories of him, and as a result primary school was my only positive experience of education.

Secondary school was a big challenge. I was placed in the bottom class, so at the age of 12, I was labelled as “stupid”, and that’s where things started to go wrong. I recall being in an English lesson where the teacher would go around the class asking us to spell out words. I struggled and would sometimes hide in the toilets until the class was over.

I left school with no qualifications and became homeless at 18 after my parents divorced. I was unemployed, with no money. I didn’t have much hope for a future at that time. I just had my stories and attended a writer’s group. I think we could only leave if we told a story. I loved that.

I am also published by the British Dyslexia Association, and a regular contributor to BBC Radio Kent where I have read my poetry and one of my plays toured in Gibraltar in 2018, some of which was shown on Gibraltar TV.

My poetry relays my experiences of being dyslexic with comedy and serious undertones. For example, my poem “We are the Amazing Dyslexics” is about the positives of being neuro-diverse.

“We are the amazing dyslexics, we are funny, we are witty we have no apology or pity.” It goes onto say, “We can achieve greatness from kissing the sun and walking on the moon.”

My poem called “My Journey with Dyslexia” is about my experiences at school where I would daydream, writing stories in my head. “Riding a rainbow coloured whale, but had to stop and land as the teacher was waving her hand.”

I have written some comical poems about spelling, grammar and maths. One is called “I don’t do maths”, and the other “I can spell”.

With the success of my one woman show called “The Amazing Dyslexic Poetry Show” at the Faversham Fringe Festival in 2018, I decided to take my show to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2019.

“The Amazing Dyslexic Poetry Show” This is a show that inspires you to live your dreams. It raises awareness, about dyslexia and that this is not a barrier to believing in yourself. This show has a powerful message, exploring positivity, some negativity centred around various experiences, with humour to entertain about hidden disabilities.

My show was very well received and obtained a mention by Broadway Baby, one of the top reviewers for the festival on their Twitter page.

After many years of feeling that I was “useless, stupid and won’t amount to much” and wanting Daniel Craig to rescue me in his perfectly ironed tuxedo and bow tie. I have found my feet with positive messages about disability/neurodiversity.

If I read slower, if I use a finger to guide me when I read text, if my words are jumbled and I say things back to front or have to spell words out. This is just who I am, a dyslexic woman!

I am dyslexic,

I do not have to apologise for this.

Yes.

This is just me!