*Maybe because she’s an excellent actress, that we had no idea that Octavia Spencer is dyslexic. On the other hand, maybe we should thank the Alabama public school system for helping her deal with the disorder to become the person she is today.
“I was a dyslexic child and am a dyslexic adult; that doesn’t really mean that you’re not intelligent, it just means that your brain functions differently,” the Academy Award winning actress says.
Spencer made the comments while promoting her next film, “Gifted.” She spoke about her dyslexia as if it wasn’t a handicap.
“I just remember thinking differently,” she begins. “I could solve puzzles quicker than the average child. I would start with the mazes at the end and go to the front and be done in, like, 30 seconds. My deductive reasoning was very important.”
As we said up top, a lot of credit should be given to the Alabama school system and her teachers in forming her perspective on dyslexia, making the point that it’s important to “nurture their [kids’] thirst for knowledge,” from whatever perspective that may be.
“I don’t know that allowing them to skip grades is good because then they end up in a grade with people who are much more mature than they are.”
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On the other hand, Spencer strongly believes a wage increase is due for educators.
“When you think about it, they spend the majority of the day with your kids, so they should be compensated. They’re also teaching them and shaping their views about themselves.”
School was a guiding force, but in an interview with People magazine, Spencer also credits her late mother for inspiring her to overcome her dyslexia and reach for the stars.
“I had a really strong mom who made me and my sisters understand there’s no limitations placed on our lives—except for what we place on ourselves.”
Look for “Gifted,” co-starring Chris Evans of “Captain America,” fame in theaters on Wednesday, April 12.
