FAMOUS DYSLEXICS WHO SUCCEEDED: More and more celebrities are coming forward and admitting they have forms of Specific Learning Difficulties (Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD and Dyscalculia). ********************************************************* Rachel..s Exclusive interviews with stars from Rock/Pop Music,TV/Film,and Art,include Neil Taylor-Robbie Williams Guitarist;Georgie Swan singer-songwriter; quotes from Spandau Ballet saxophonist Steve Norman;Kenneth Hari world renowned artist and asculptor of Hollywood A-Listers.Plus archive pieces from Michael Fraser Tv personality and reformed ex-pro thief; and Willard Wigan World leading minature artist.***************************************************** *********Guitarist and recording artiste Neil Taylor, Below:Neil Taylor-Robbie Williams guitarist + Neil Taylor spoke exclusively to Rachel Evans,about his childhood learning difficulties: "I used to write backwards and with both hands.I was ambidextrous.And had an attention deficit.I failed most of my exams at school.I got one or two (CSE..s)but they were ungraded.So i didnt bother to collect them ". Neil reflected "if it were not for my learning difficulties as a child,I would not be whom I am today". In 2001 Neil Taylor played on Robbie Williams album: “Sing When You..re Winning†and Natalie Imbruglia’s "White Lillies Island". After finishing touring with Natalie, Neil played guitar on Robbie Williams album “Escapology†where he was asked to join Rob's band! He has been with him ever since, and has not long finished the 'Close Encounters' World Tour promoting Rob's album "Intensive Care". Neil spoke to Rachel about the peaks of his musical career to date,especially performing onstage with Robbie,on worldwide tours,and to over 100,000 fans at Knebworth. "Im ok on stage in front of thousands of fans,but i could never get up in front of a few people and sing Karaoke!" Did he ever think he would play lead guitar with the A-List of of Rock Royalty? "When I left school,my first job was as a brickie" Neil said,his voice softening with the memory. During his career Neil has recorded and toured with: Robbie Williams/Natalie Imbruglia/Peter Gabriel/Rod Stewart/Morrissey/Tina Turner/The Pretenders/Van Morrison/Holly Johnson/Paul Young/Climie Fisher etc.We laughed as his brilliant sense of humour invaded the conversation.Despite owning a Blackberry,Neil confessed he never uses it for email "I wouldnt know how to" and admitted that using modern technology often left him frustrated.Neils musical compositions are mostly done on his computer "If I really am interested in something-I will do it". "Once Steve (vocalist on Neils Bullets For Angels album ) has laid down his vocals i build the music around it". Neil plays by ear and had difficulty reading music. His razor sharp wit comes alive again.Looking out of the restaurant window, he spots a man with dog on a very long dog-leash.Neil points out to Rachel: "i mean look at that - what IS the point of that extra long dog lead?" There is a few seconds silence. "You got me there Neil" laughed Rachel. Below:Robbie Williams and Neil Taylor,@Knebworth Earlier in his career,Neil played guitar with Tears For Fears on the album "Songs From The Big Chair" including the famous one take guitar solo on "Everybody Wants To Rule The World". Neil’s involvement with Tears continued and he played on two world tours and the band's third album "Seeds Of Love".Neil was always good with his hands, "The only thing I was good at (school)was woodwork." But to his horror the woodwork lessons- got more mathematical "I had to drop it when the theory and the mathematics came into it " he said. Even today Neil admits he gets help from family,especially girlfriend Sachi,to collect tickets from the machines whenever he travels."I can just about book tickets online,but i have to get Sachi to put my card in the machine to get them" But Neil found writing and reading a task. "Even today I dont read much." "I dont like filling in forms and avoid it if i can" he said. Technology and computers aid Neil in his songwriting,but he confessed: "I am slow on the computer keyboard.You know ...with one finger on each hand ". And all this from a living legend rock guitarist whose talents are many.Especially his fingers ******************************************************** UPDATE:July 2009L- Neil is currently recording with Robbie Williams for album release due October 2009. Interview Copyright-Neil Taylor/Rachel Evans Web site and Download Page - www.silvermusic.tv See my interiew with Neil at this fan club link,big thanks to Winny,Director of Neils official fan club http://www.neiltaylorfanclub.com/intdinnerfordyslexia.htm*** ******************************************************* GEORGIE SWAN:The New George Michael Update:January 2009 - Georgie has just completed 3 new album tracks.He flew to Vancouver to work with producer Jeff Dawson,and had Mike Fraser mix.see www.myspace.com/georgieswan. The fall of 2008 got intense for Georgie. Just fresh from performing in USA during October at a charity gig, Georgie continued the creative momentum in November and never looked back. As star guest singer at The Dare To Dream Gala aided by the Dyslexia Dreams Foundation ,Georgie wowed Washington DC..S leading political, business and celebrity figures, and national leaders in Dyslexia Education for a one of a kind signature fundraising event. His voice won the hearts of Hollywood..s A lister's and leading political guests, and was honored with an honoree award from the Dyslexic Dreams Foundation by its President Jami Schwartz and was presented the award by Michael Bacon of The Bacon Bros. One guest was overheard telling Jami “Where did you find him? He..s amazing!.†Significantly, as Barak Obama was being spectacularly voted into office as the new President elect of the USA, Georgie in Washington performed a stunning set which included he's track 'I believe' a favorite of the dyslexia foundation team....With the 80s revival wave happening in London,many will recall Spandau Ballet saxophonist Steve Norman.He told Rachel Evans: "I saw Georgie perform a song accapella at a past soccer six charity dinner immediately following Andy Abraham of X Factor and you could have heard a pin drop... In short, Georgie is an immensely charming, talented and likeable guy who has a story to tell regards his dyslexia". Georgies ex-manaager Scott Robinson (Five pop group)is featured below with both on stage for kids educational promotion.Their strong friendship bond to this day continues.Scott and Georgie speak of triumph over adversity,and how to "keep going" despite Georgies health setbacks throughout his musical career. www.myspace.com/georgieswan ********************************************************* Model Rachel Evans is often interviewed in the press about fitness and health.She abhors celebrity for the sake of it,and is happiest when being creative in her varied work."I love my creative friends,who like me suffered with learning difficulties.We "get" each other and have laughs!""I failed all exams at school,gaining but one O..Level in English"...It took me several more years to finally pass my basic mathematics exam GCSE,by then i was ready to enter University level.After 6 months,I dropped out of Law at University because of my insecurities on the number side of things". The BBC reported "It is estimated that dyscalculia - difficulty with numbers - afflicts between 3% and 6% of the population, based on the proportion of children who have special difficulty with maths despite good performance in other subjects.(http://www.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/16 22285.stm) Often it is associated with dyslexia - word difficulty - but experts say the practical effects are even worse: Inability to work out change in a shop, tell the time, or even find your way around". ******************************************************* How do children cope when faced with such difficulties? Rachel said :"During High school years,Mathematics and numbers were like little aliens in my head." Her sense of humour cleaned up the mess.Then I learned to think in moving images." "I was sporty at school.I trained every lunch hour religiously,to run through the countryside next to my school.I would compete most weekends track and field,and cross-country.It was my escapism from the classroom where my self esteem plummetted as final exams drew near.I hit highs when I ran. It saved me". After leaving school,Rachel had short lived stints as a law student,court reporter /journalist,PA,and fashion assistant,which led Rachel into modelling and acting."I was always good in front of the camera,somehow!"******************************************** ************** Rachels Tearsheet:Magazine and Newspaper Interviews /Press ********************************************************** Using her journalist skills Rachel set up the Dinner 4 Dyslexia myspace web site slash D4D online magazine "I am so inspired by the stories i am hearing from fellow dyslexics.Thnak you to everyone who contributes to the online magazine". "My first ever job was as a court reporter.I trained on the job.It was scary...I used my own kind of shorthand-a scribble language for note-taking that no-one can read" To this day,Rachel uses her "cinematographic imagination" to remember information.If i could print my memory vault it would be a Hollywood Movie!" Rachel used to daydream out of the classroom window at the huge trees swaying in the summer breeze The Bine Stems Score the Sky...i remembered a poet who once wrote about that." Her imagination often runs riot "I photocopy words into my memory then save and file them.Days later i will remember them and words just pour out of me.Its wierd.I guess Harvey (Hubbell,Dyslecksia Film Director above)was right about that Visual Spacial thing!My note-taking is terrible and looks like a 4 yr olds". www.myspacecom/rachelevansofficial************************** ******************************** **********************************************************Ab ove: Kenneth Hari World renowned sculptor and artist has had Hollywood A-Listers sit for him,includung Dustin Hoffman,Auden the poet,Salvador Dali,and Dolly Parton,and screen legend Greta Garbo.Hari has kindly donated an original print of his art work "The Prophet",which is to be donated to the next Dare To Dream Gala in USA later this year.Hari told Rachel he supports the Dyslexia DRT and online magazine, and has friends who are dyslexic. Among the many collections which represent Kenneth Hari's work are: the Vatican, Rome, Italy; the Museum of Modern Art, Barcelona, Spain; the National Gallery, Sophia, Bulgaria; the National Portrait Gallery, London, England; as well as numerous business institutions, university and private collections.He has achieved artistic recognition for his ability to capture the essence of character of his portrait subjects. It is a task he undertakes with consummate ability. Soundbites from Hollywood friends who have sat for him: *Greta Garbo Actress said of the maestro "Your drawings are like Michaelangelo's". *Dustin Hoffman actor: "Kenneth, thank you for painting me. Your portrait is not a mere inspiration, the transient expression of private moods, but a work of communication, meant to endure".*Dolly Parton actress, performer, songwriter: "Kenneth Hari is a true artist and in my opinion a psychic. When he is painting you, he feels your heart and soul".****************************************************** *****Animation,Cartoonist and Travel Photographer Alex Cassels supports the Dinner For Dyslexia Magazine online.Alex has sent Rachel a photo of the wonderful "Zebra" below.It is being held on trust for the next charity fundraising event.His his signature style is travel and nature photographer. "First signs of Alexs artistic calling showed themselves on family holidays to the north Norfolk coast in the mid 1970’s; this only really took off photographically following another family holiday to the Costa Brava when I sold my first picture of the little fishing port of Port de la Selva to Catalan Villas – this family-run travel company used this image for their brochure cover for the next three years.In the mid 1980’s I went on to study Photography, Film & Television at Plymouth College of Art and Design which introduced me to the wonderful world of animation. This new direction had initially been inspired through work experience at the Walt Disney Studios in Sydney while on a round the world trip during which time I had spent 9 months in Australia and New Zealand. My love for the natural world and landscape photography was shaped by the stunning and dramatic scenery in Australia, United States, Canada and particularly in New Zealand.The next 10 – 15 years were spent in various animation studios in Cardiff, Manchester and London working largely on children’s TV productions; this also included a few half hour specials including “The Last Polar Bearsâ€, “War Game†and “The Cunning Little Vixen†as well as the very arty “In The time of Angelsâ€. To help complement my animation work between productions, I was able to maintain my passion for photography with commissions for travel brochures & hotels in Turkey & Northern Cyprus. This had started by a casual remark about the quality of postcards of this part of Cyprus at the time saying ‘I can do better than that’ and then producing a limited edition set of high quality 7†x 5†postcards. Through these cards, one thing led to another which resulted in sales to Noble Caledonia and brochure commissions with Anatolian Sky Holidays for a few years in the late 1990’s."www.alexcassels.com******************************* **************************** Brit mega superstar singer Robbie Williams(above)is known to be dyslexic "I'd like to do a bit more reading maybe. I've tried, but somehow I just can't get into that book thing.†*********************************************************** +Becky Emler,Hospitality and Events Organiser,(who went to school with Kiera Knightley )says she supports the charity which is "close to my heart". She is a member of the DRT Committee.She works as a Hospitality and Events Organiser.www.myspace.com/beckyibizaIn November 2007 Becky was on TV, Celebrity Siccorhands for Children in Need.As ever always up for raising money for charity she said this on the web site "I had Had a pedicure with Carly today. She was so professional and paid such attention to detail. Top marks to her 10/10. She was polite and chatty and made me feel very relaxed, a true credit to the academy.....I know Brandon and it was nice to see him again......well done to all you guys on your fantastic work......am really pleased with my newly polished feet. Thanks guys xxxxx " Becky Emler(above)spoke to special Dinner4Dyslexia guest speaker Michael Fraser,"To Catch A Thief" TV personality. "Dyslexia had tried to hinder me all my life, it made things very tough at times but I have not let it stop me from doing anything. I am delighted to champion the DRT as the work they do to support and help people of all ages in their quest to overcome this disability is fantastic. It certainly would have made life a lot easier for me, that's for sure." ********************************************************** At the Dyslexia Dinner Michaels prescence was felt. "Hi I..m Michael Fraser,and Im Dyslexic!" boomed out a steady commanding voice over the sound system. Michael Fraser, TV personality, and dyslexic,and was special guest speaker at the Dinner 4 Dyslexia. "My mother was a prostitute and my dad a drug addict and i grew up in care.Back then in Birmingham,I was dyslexic, black and undeducated,and abandoned into care by my parents." he said.He was thrust him into social siberia. "I am excstatic that im Dyslexic" he told the stunned guests.You could hear a pin drop. "Without being dyslexic i wouldnt have got where i am today- a multi-millionaire by 21", through a business he set up after "taking a risk".Despite being bullied and berated for his dyslexia at school,Michael told the dinner "It made me more determined than ever" to prove his cruel jibing critics wrong.Michael told the committe and guests:"I cant spell.I ask my wife to do it for me." His tricks of the trade helped him go from ordinary to extraordinary: "I am an observer..I notice peoples body language...one lady here tonight whom I wont embarrass,looks lovely,but her arms were across her body as she spoke to me".His advice is to be more open,as people judge quickly on what you look like. Michael has become ‘well known’ through his work on BBC’s ‘To Catch a Thief’ programme, which, by the end of the series, was achieving an audience of 8 million viewers. Two series of "Beat the Burglar" was also shown on the BBC. Michael spent much of his childhood in and out of care. He was expelled from more than one school, eventually leaving with no qualifications to mention. He drifted into petty crime in his early adulthood and generally seemed to be heading down a steep and slippery slope. .. Looking back to his youth, Michael recalls the turning point in his life. The owner of a small aluminium company was prepared to "take a risk" and employ him as a junior. Due to his sheer fright at the looming prospect of a jail sentence Michael threw himself into his work. Michael told dinner guests,"I wanted to get pats on the back",for his work efforts in the factory. "If they wanted 10 Id give them 20" he recalled of his striving to produce results at work. It was this humble start sweeping the factory floor that enabled Michael to become what he is today. He has not forgotten this, indeed it has become his personal mission to see that others can be given such chances.Michael also works closely with the Apex Trust (He is a Trustee), Michael succeeds in helping people who would otherwise struggle to get a start in life. The Apex Trust aims to help people with criminal records obtain jobs or self-employment.Michael’s series for Channel 4, entitled, 'One Last Job', followed eight people with criminal records who were offered a chance to hold-down a job running a flower shop in London. Mike acted as chief mentor and in particular helped them develop the self-discipline required to make themselves and the venture work.******************************************************* **Elvis on a Pinhead by Willard Wigan.He is dyslexic and is described as "One of the eight wonders of the world".He is one of the Worlds top micro-minaturists. "He is now emerging as the most globally celebrated micro-miniaturist of all time". His amazing artistic talent shows no limits.When Willard Wigan,(left)who started school in 1962, he wasn't exactly blessed with forward-thinking teachers. He was considered illiterate by them, and his work was described as "disgusting" to the other children in the class.He suffered heartbreaking humiliation at the hands of unforgiving teachers."I was programmed to believe that everything I did was no good", he says, "and I believed that". As a result, Willard used to truant from school. He spent a lot of time in the woods, and started to build tiny props for insects. He then moved on to carving."I did little sculptures of the teachers. They made me feel small, so I wanted to make them look small in my child's mind."he saidWigen received his MBE on 12 July 2007 for his services to art, Willard’s work has been described by many as ‘the eighth wonder of the world’. *********************************************************** SPORTING ACE..S WHO SUCCEEDED AGAINST ALL ODDS************** Michael Jordan,US basketball giant is dyslexic.Carl Lewis Olympic Gold Medalist is dyslexic.(above right)One of the world..s greatest sporting achievers.