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'If I can beat dyslexia, anyone can'
Conquering problems is not easy, but not impossible as one remarkable man has proved. Cathy Neligan reports
TO SAY school life was a difficult time for Kirk Hopewell would be a gross understatement.
At junior school he was told he was "slow" and it was not until he neared the end of his school days that he was finally diagnosed with dyslexia.
Despite this obvious handicap Kirk has emerged as a shining example of triumph over adversity.
With no shortage of hard work and dedication, he has overcome his learning difficulties and gained a first-class honours degree.
And, thanks to those qualifications, he is now a mental health nurse so he can help others.
When he left Holy Trinity Senior School with a GNVQ in health and social care, Kirk initially found work
supporting autistic children and adults with mental health problems.
The work inspired him to take a two-year part-time access course at Calderdale College and then apply for a full-time nursing degree at Bradford University.
"School was a tough time. I've always struggled with academic environments," admits Kirk, who is 28 and comes from Holmfield.
"When I was at school I thought a GNVQ was as much as I could do. It was more hands-on than A-levels and it was the right level for me at the time."
He said his dyslexia had held him back but he was able to find coping mechanisms to deal with it.
The condition can affect memory and how information is processed as well as reading and writing.
Kirk found the key to university study was time management. There was no leaving essays to the last minute – he had to work steadily and be incredibly organised.
But all the hard work paid off. "I never thought I would go to university. If I can do it, anybody can."
Once he completed the degree, Kirk became a qualified nurse.
"When I was looking for jobs towards the end of my course, there were two going in elder adult care at the Care Trust in Bradford.
"There were over 100 people going for them but thanks to my newly qualified status and my previous experience, I bagged one of them and now I'm loving every minute of it.
"I definitely wanted to move back into the NHS once I'd qualified because of the additional benefits. For example, the ability to study for further qualifications while you are working to enhance your career."
And to prove it Kirk is now studying for a post-graduate degree in cognitive behavioural therapy.
Jack Haymer, of Calderdale Dyslexia Association, says: "Dyslexics have to work 10 times harder than anybody else, so it is brilliant that Kirk has done so well.
"Most dyslexics tend to have a higher than average IQ. Employers are becoming more aware of dyslexics and their difficulties and recognising their value. Now they realise it is not anything to be ashamed of."
Courses in adult nursing, mental health, and learning disability nursing start at Bradford University in March.
For more information, contact the School of Health Studies on 01274 236367 or visit www.bradford.ac.uk.
Dyslexia facts
Dyslexia is a neurological condition that affects reading, spelling and writing
It can affect short-term memory, organisation, spoken language and motor skills
It occurs despite normal intellectual ability
Between 4 and 5 per cent of the British population suffer from the condition
Famous sufferers include Albert Einstein, Sir Winston Churchill and Sir Richard Branson, Muhammad Ali, actors Keanu Reeves, Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom, racing legend Jackie Stewart, John Lennon and Pablo Picasso.
The British Dyslexia Association is at 98, London Road, Reading, RG1 5AU. Contact the helpline on 0118 9668271 or go to www.bdadyslexia.org.uk
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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