How Technology Has Closed The Gap In My Dyslexia Over 60 Years

Life with dyslexia has truly been transformed with the advent of technology, and I say this with a touch of humor as I have reached the age of 60. The positive impact on my life and how others perceive me has been nothing short of a game-changer, thanks to the wonders of modern technology. Let's take a lighthearted look at why spelling, navigation, and communication are so essential and how technology has made a difference.

Firstly, let's ponder the importance of spelling, navigating, and communicating. Imagine the predicament if one couldn't spell correctly or struggled to find their way or express complex thoughts understandably. It could lead to some hilarious situations and interesting reactions from others, including humility, right?

Back in the day, before spell check became my best friend, the worst directive possible was to “go to the dictionary and find it.” If I knew how to spell it, I could find it. My grades were rollercoaster rides. I'd get an "A" for content but then be brought back to reality with a "C" after the spelling errors were deducted. There was this one professor at university who couldn't help but chuckle when he saw my paper, knowing who I was and my infamous spelling mishaps. Little did he know that his chuckles couldn't hold me back.

Speaking of universities, they had their doubts about me, too! They said I'd never graduate from a four-year college or university due to my not-so-impressive performance on entry exams. Oh boy, did I prove them wrong! I earned my MBA with honors, sporting an impressive 4.0 GPA. Who would've thought, right?

Now, let's talk about navigation skills—or lack thereof. When I was an executive traveling in rural Tennessee, getting directions like "turn where the old feed store was" was not exactly helpful for me, as well as left, left, after right, and watch for the hidden stop sign. Thankfully, the glorious GPS came to the rescue! No longer did I feel lost; every turn was carefully guided, turn by turn. It was like having my personal navigator, and boy, did it save me from some comical and critical moments on the road and in my promptness. No more starting a route in twice the estimated time, to allow for my weaknesses in navigation.

And here comes the pinnacle of modern miracles: Artificial Intelligence! With its help, I can now articulate complex thoughts and processes in a way the average person can grasp. Gone are the days when my ideas would get lost in a sea of confusion. I recall a very wise and wealthy business owner who stated to a large audience, “Craig is truly brilliant in his profession, when I can understand him!” Now, I'm the master of clear communication!

To add some color to my life, my daughter and wife surprised me with a pair of glasses that allow me to see the world in all its vibrant glory. It turns out, I had no clue about the colors I was missing all these years. My daughter's St. Patrick's Day efforts to find something green for me and my confusion with the color of traffic lights seem like a comedy sketch now.

As I stand at the ripe age of 60, I can't help but feel excited about what the future holds. I no longer waste time on hiding my weaknesses, or working through them, enabling me to concentrate on engaging my strengths. Technology has been my ally, and my comic relief of sorts, making life with dyslexia much more enjoyable and rewarding. So, bring it on, future! I can't wait to see what's next in this humorous and ever-evolving technological journey!