John Gerrard Kelly
John Gerrard Kelly, 50, wasn’t diagnosed with severe dyslexia until four years ago. He was seen as being lazy and disruptive at school, left without any qualifications, and spent the next 20 years in and out of prison. Thanks to the opportunity to learn again during his rehabilitation, he has turned his life around and is working towards becoming a fully qualified counsellor.
John describes how he had “no hope, on a road to nowhere, a slave to drink and drugs”. At 46, he was offered the chance to go to college through his rehab centre, and despite being “terrified”, he enrolled on a basic Spanish course. Gaining some confidence, he then enrolled on a drama course, leading to his tutor suggesting he may be dyslexic.
With the help of weekly specialist tuition from The Dyslexia Centre, John began a Counselling Course at Broxtowe College, “without being disadvantaged by the difficulties I have as a severe dyslexic”; completing a three year Counselling Certificate in 2005, and he is due to finish a Counselling Diploma this summer.
John is proud of what he has achieved despite his earlier life of crime. “I can now hold my head high and give back to others. [Learning] gives me scope and freedom, a better chance of employment. It gives me choices.”