Member Article

Elliott of Ovenu Solihull highlights his story as part of Dyslexia Awareness Week

By his own estimation Elliott Robinson has a reading age of 11 and the spelling ability of an eight-year-old.

However, he hasn’t allowed dyslexia to define him or hold him back and for the past 17 years has run his own successful oven cleaning business, Ovenu Solihull.

Born and raised in the town, he says he was very fortunate to be diagnosed with the neurological disorder at a relatively young age - rather those who remain undiagnosed far into adulthood and are instead branded ‘lazy’, ‘thick’ or ‘indifferent’.

As part of Dyslexia Awareness Week (2nd to 8th October), Elliott is keen to dispel some of the myths that have grown up around dyslexia.

Elliott, 45, who now lives in Redditch, said: “Not everyone is lucky enough to receive a diagnosis early on and many grow up thinking and accepting the labels that have been unfairly placed upon them.

“Knowing you are dyslexic is really important because it means that you know what you are dealing with and can not only find help and support but come up with coping mechanisms that allow you to negotiate the challenges it puts in your way.”

Dyslexia is a neurological difference that can have a significant impact during education, in the workplace and everyday life. A lifetime condition, everyone’s experience of dyslexia is different, and it can range from mild to severe.

One in ten people in the UK are estimated to have some form of dyslexia. Whilst not affecting a person’s intelligence, it can cause problems with abilities such as reading and writing.

Elliott, who has two daughters and is married to NHS nurse Sharon, added: “There are positives as many dyslexic people excel in different areas, such as problem solving, creativity, big picture thinking and making connections.”

Famous dyslexics include Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, singer Paloma Faith, entrepreneur Richard Branson, film director Stephen Spielberg, and theoretical physicists Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking.

Elliott attended two schools, a special needs school in Castle Bromwich and a main state school until the age of seven, when he was sent to a special boarding school in Derbyshire which specialised in dyslexia.

“Back then it wasn’t very well understood, and the teachers didn’t really know how to deal with me, which is why I ended up going to boarding school.

“These days, more people are being screened, which has led to a big rise in diagnosis in adults, and that’s down to improved technology, increased awareness and better understanding.”

He returned to Solihull aged 17 and completed an art course at Solihull College and a screen printing course at Matthew Boulton College, Birmingham.

His first job was at a Dave and Buster’s burger bar/video game arcade in Solihull where, after four years, he left to work in a warehouse.

“My mum and dad were worried that I wouldn’t have a proper future and they told me about the opportunity to take on the Ovenu franchise,” he recalls. “I realised sometimes you must make things happen yourself and can’t rely on other people, so I decided to give it a try.

“That was back in 2007 and since then I’ve built up a host of loyal customers and absolutely love being my own boss - and being part of a franchise means I receive lots of support from head office and fellow franchisees.

“I learnt to live with dyslexia years ago and have not allowed it to become a barrier to building a successful business. If I’d known as a 16-year-old how far I would have come in life, I think I would have been quite impressed with myself!

“When people are diagnosed with dyslexia, it’s far from the end of the world. You can come through it with a bit of help, support, and positivity.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by News Gathering .