Reading with dyslexia

[Lindsey]

Scott is dyslexic and always has trouble reading and writing. He constantly gets words mixed up and can't make sense of what he is reading because he's concentrating so hard on each word. I have never had any experience with anyone else who is dyslexic, but I can imagine how hard it is for him. As a result of never reading, his spelling and grammar are terrible. I can hardly stand reading an email from him because that's a huge pet peeve of mine I am the grammar police.
Anyways, I read all the time. I like to wind down with a book before going to bed, laying on the beach or even in my back yard with a book on any lazy day. It's a nice way to escape into another world. Reading has always been a passion... even when I was little my mom had to put a restriction on the books I read because I'd come home from the library with 3 or 4 books and have them done by the end of the day Once I started, I couldn't stop.
It has always kind of been my vision to have a significant other who loved reading the way I do. Someone I can discuss books with, and read together before going to bed. I did tell Scott that when he stays over I miss having my reading time before falling asleep. He bought a book of crosswords and word searches, and he happily sits beside me and does those until bedtime.
Yesterday we went to the book store together so I could stock up again! I lost him for awhile, and then found him sitting in a chair READING! I was so happy for him... I asked what it was and he showed me, a book on passive aggressiveness. He said it was really interesting, and he got almost through the first chapter. We looked around some more and he also picked up The Bourne Supremacy, because he said he loved the movies and would probably enjoy the book too. I am so proud of him for trying. I told him not to do it for me, and he said he isn't... that if he thought I was pushing him he wouldn't be doing it at all.
Last night I walked back into my room after brushing my teeth and washing my face, and he was sitting up in bed, engrossed in his book. It was just one of those moments for me. I had to stop for a minute, something so small meant so much to me. I really hope he enjoys it. Maybe if he tries reading more, it will stop being so hard for him.

[Tiramisu]

Aww, so sweet that you notice the little things.

[DianaB]

I'm a reader, a lot like you, Lindsey, and my husband struggles with reading which is hard to understand when someone loves to read as much as I do. My son was diagnosed with a reading disability when he was in grade school and the things that I learned about him also applied to my husband. My MIL got really upset with me once when I implied that Glen also had a reading disability but he's the first to admit that he hated reading in school.

The good news is that Glen now reads. Not a lot but definitely more than he used to. I found that having books or magazines with short stories laying around make him more likely to pick one up and read a story or two. Reader's Digest is a really good one to have. I keep them mostly in the bathroom. In the last several years he's actually read books! Not a lot but that in itself is a huge accomplishment!

Good Luck!

[Lindsey]

I'm glad I'm not the only one dealing with this! I did tell Scott that he is free to borrow any of my books. I suggested The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom... it's very short and easy to read. But if he gets through the books he picked out himself, that's great too!

[DianaB]

Out of my four children I only have one that likes to read like I do. None of the others enjoy it and don't read much at all. It was really difficult when they were little because I just assumed that they'd enjoy reading like I did. I do enjoy discussing books with the one that does like to read. We share books back and forth all the time. I get so much enjoyment from books that I wish the others of my family did too.

[Lindsey]

My dad and I are the readers in my family. When I read a good book, I usually take it home for him to read. He really enjoyed Marley and Me My mom and my brother don't really care for reading.
In my research today on dyslexia, it turns out that many people believe it is genetic and runs in families just as color blindness does... I guess Scott got the short end of the stick since he is both dyslexic AND color blind!