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 Highly recommended for parents Apr 09, 2007
Dyslexia My Life provides a window into the life of a person with dyslexia. I highly recommend this book for any parent of a dyslexic child. Since my son has not been able to verbalize his struggles, I have gained a much better understanding of his world by reading Girard Sagmiller's book. Dyslexia My Life should also be on the required reading list for any college student who plans to become a teacher.
1 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 Does dyslexia always equal abuse? Apr 06, 2006
I purchased this book so I could better understand the developmental years and the perspective of my boyfriend, who has dyslexia. Honestly, this book did not deliver what I expected. I think that this is about child abuse and neglect, more than it is about dyslexia. I feel sorry for the author and what he went through, but I have trouble believing that all dyslexic children are neglected by their parents, beaten up and abused by peers and teachers, etc. Maybe it really was different in 1968 when the author was diagnosed, and certainly many or even most dyslexic children experience pain from an unfortunate disability and the cruelness of others, even today. But this book seems like an opportunity for the author to vent about his childhood trauma (and it was definitely trauma), more than an insightful look into what it's like to grow up with dyslexia. I don't mean to downplay or overlook any other individuals who have experienced trauma such as this while growing up with dyslexia or any other learning problem, but this example just seems a little over the top. I apologize in advance for offending anyone who has dyslexia. I do not have dyslexia, but I did grow up in an abusive household. I can relate to much of what the author speaks of, and I was in the gifted programs as a kid. I still don't feel like I understand what it's like to have dyslexia. I've just helped confirm what I already knew about the effects of child abuse.
reviewed by Ellen Tanner Marsh, a New York Times best-selling author Feb 24, 2006
Dyslexia: My Life
One Man's Story of his Life with a Learning Disability
An Autobiography
By Girard J. Sagmiller
As reviewed by Ellen Tanner Marsh, a New York Times best-selling author
What does it mean to grow up with a disability that no one seems to understand? For
author Girard Sagmiller, it meant grappling with shame and fear and his father's stony
disapproval. Girard Sagmiller has dyslexia, a neurological learning disability where
individuals experience problems recognizing words (the letters are often transposed) so
that reading is difficult, if not impossible. More often than not, dyslexics are erroneously
considered slow or stupid.
With honesty and grace, Sagmiller tells the story of his own battle with dyslexia and the
many challenges he had to overcome. Growing up in the 1960s, he faced uncaring
teachers and worried, angry parents who didn't know any better in dealing with an
affliction that we now know affects one in five children. But Sagmiller never gave up,
persevering against considerable odds to attend college, get a job and find his niche.
This extraordinary memoir tells his courageous story and also provides helpful tips for
managing dyslexia and ultimately succeeding in life. Overcoming a disability doesn't
mean curing it, but as Sagmiller writes, "other strengths will grow."
This is an important book for anyone struggling with dyslexia, for teachers of dyslexic
students and for families with a dyslexic loved one. The message here is clear: even
dyslexics can flourish in school and in everyday life and succeed in careers of choice.
Girard Sagmiller not only overcame his disability, he triumphed. And here, in this wise
and inspiring book, he shows an insightful path for others to triumph as well.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Sad & Joyful Feb 13, 2004
This book brought tears to my eyes. I was saddened regarding the unhappy early life that Mr. Sagmiller went through, yet I was very happy for his success in his later life. I have an adult son who is dylexic, and the ongoing pain he has gone thru, and continues to go throuh, has constantly torn at my heart. I have kept in touch with Mr Sagmiller and he has been very helpful and supportive. He seems to be a gem of a human being and I have been very fortunate to have communicated with him. I hope my son, and I, can meet with Mr. Sagmiller some day. If you know of someone who is dear to your heart who has been thru the pain and the anguish of dyslexia, you might want to consider either giving them this book or getting the tapes of this book for them. The tapes can be purchased on Mr. Sagmiller's website. I highly recommend this book.
6 of 6 found the following review helpful:
Thoughtful and compelling - Very highly recommended Oct 24, 2002
As many as 15% of Americans may be dyslexic, yet this learning disability continues isolate and frustrate those who struggle with it. Consequently, Girard Sagmiller shares his personal experiences in DYSLEXIA MY LIFE in an effort to overcome the ignorance and prejudice of friends, family and society. Sagmiller shares not only his history, but also his creative coping skills that allowed him to go on to succeed in life, including earning an MBA in business. Sagmiller was diagnosed as mentally retarded in elementary school. He describes in heart rendering terms the night a parent-teacher conference changed the lives of his family forever. Although his teaches recommended institutionalization, Sagmiller's mother refused to comply. His mother's tears and his father's rejections still haunt his memory. Later a more accurate diagnoses was made of dyslexia, which affects speech, reading, time perception, and can slow learning ins some subjects. As a dyslexic myself, I found Sagmiller's account fascinating and I confess to learning a lot about myself while reading his narrative. I had never understood the two types of dyslexia, and how to discern between them. In addition, I couldn't help but chuckle in sympathy while reading his difficulty with standardized tests. I could easily empathize with the blows to the self-esteem as well as the feelings of stupidity and ineptitude. Moreover, with a Master's degree in English, I am also encouraged to find someone else who did reach his dreams despite the challenges meted out by this learning disability. A must read for those with dyslexia as well as parents, educators and others touched by this learning disability. DYSLEXIA MY LIFE comes very highly recommended.
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