07/08/2026
Growing up with dyslexia or ADHD in the 70s and 80s was very different to growing up with it today.
Schools didn't really understand dyslexia. ADHD was barely talked about. It was more this child is disruptive and a bad person.
If you struggled to read, couldn't spell properly, found maths difficult or processed things differently, you weren't always given support.
Sometimes you were simply made to feel stupid.
And children notice differences.
Being the one who couldn't read something properly or struggled to write something on the board gave others ammunition. The bullying that followed could stay with you long after you left the classroom.
But I refused to let it stop me.
I grew up, started businesses, took risks, learned from incredible people and discovered that intelligence isn't measured by how well you can spell a word or solve an equation.
Then the internet arrived.
Suddenly everything was written.
Emails. Websites. Social media. Posts. Comments.
And strangely, some of that childhood bullying returned — only this time it came from adults.
A sly comment about your spelling.
A little dig about something you've written.
A joke at your expense.
Followed quickly by:
"I'm only joking."
"You know we love you really."
"We believe in you."
"You inspire me."
But here's something I've learned.
If someone repeatedly uses something they know you struggle with to embarrass you, undermine you, manipulate you or make themselves feel superior, adding "only joking" afterwards doesn't make it harmless.
And when it comes from someone you trust, it can cut even deeper, even worse when its from a friend who you gave an opportunity to.
Some people build you up just enough to earn your trust, then slowly use your vulnerabilities to break you down. When you finally challenge it, somehow you're made to feel like you're the problem.
I've lived with dyslexia my entire life.
It has made some things incredibly difficult.
But it has also taught me resilience, creativity, determination and how to find another way when the conventional way doesn't work.
So yes, I might spell something wrong.
I might write something differently.
But I'll never apologise for the brain that helped me build the life and businesses I have today.
Dyslexia has been part of my struggle.
It has also been part of my success.
Whatever you want help with, i'm here to help you. But to gain help, you need to be open and be able to share your troubles.
Richard Branson
