At the age of 50 Bill Thomson finally found out that the difficulties he had experienced throughout his life were dyslexic in nature.

Determined to learn to read and write to help his daughter while she was at school, Bill went to his local Adult Basic Education Unit. He was teamed up with Christine Proctor who has seen Bill achieve his goal and go from success to success!

Now, a few years down the line, Bill is a successful author of short stories and poetry, some of which we have included in past SDA magazines!

Over the past years Bill has also discovered that he suffers from Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome so has had to overcome many difficulties to get to where he is now.
However, Bill has never floundered in his wish to achieve. The SDA staff are kept up to date by regular phone calls, visits etc from Bill.

Bill has won a variety of awards for his outstanding achievement.

• Bill's poem "A Humourous Look At the First Night" was published in the British Poetry Review.
• May 1997 - Won First Place in the Scottish Television's Adult Learners Award Ceremony.
• 1997 his poetry was exhibited in The Rothes Hall, Glenrothes with his poem "The Working Men" exhibited alongside a bronzed life-size statue of a miner, a gamekeeper and a gardener.
• 1998 - UK Runner Up in the Senior Learner of the Year Award.
• Contributed to Scotspeak - the group aiming to establish Scotland's first oral history archive in Fife.
• October 1998 - Helped with the SDA Book Bus in Fife raising awareness of Dyslexia.
• June 1999 - Bill attended a reception at Downing Street at the invitation of the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, to celebrate the UN Year of the Older Person.
• January 2000 - Bill's work exhibited in the Royal Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh and invited to the opening by made by the Queen and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
• April 2000 - Held a Poetry Exhibition in the Lomond Centre, Glenrothes.
• His poem, as well as some poetry from local school children, were on display at the Royal Highland Show in the Forrestry Commission Pavilion.
• July 2000 - Bill won the Nationwide Award for Voluntary Endeavour -giving a donation of £500 to the SDA.
• November 2000 - Bill is a runner up in Sunday Daily Mail's Great Scot of the Year Award giving a donation of £250 to the SDA.

There are many things that have not been included here. Bill is full of enthusiasm and is always smiling and striving to achieve more.

Bill is continuing with his literacy studies but is also branching out and learning computer skills too!

The SDA staff always look forward to hearing from Bill. We congratulate him on his success in the recent Great Scot Awards and wish him well for future successes.

Away from Dyslexia the SDA would like to congratulate Bill and his wife on becoming grandparents a few months back. Bill's daughter Leanne had a baby daughter!

Bill's poetry and his short stories are available from the SDA. Copies of his publications can be obtained from us here at the Head Office. Phone SDA on (01786) 446650 for more details.

YOU CAN DO IT
It takes courage to be here and say Yes, I'm different and many barriers, I have overcome. If I can be an example to help others along the way Then my struggle to read and write may have helped someone,

To put their fear aside and tackle this problem Head on and say, "Education open your door I'm coming in!" The first step won't be easy and more difficult for some. Ones mind is like a flower, some takes longer than others to open.

Once this has taken place, Dyslexia and all of its Difficulties can be approached and worked upon. Don't be disheartened, it will take a while I'll admit.

However, in the end it is you who will be the winner. I know because I've won.

BILL THOMSON

"To view more photo`s and a video of Bill diving a talk at our Philp Hall Network Meeting on the 3rd June 2009 select this text".