[Angus]

There seems to be a general ignorance about this disability (and it IS now a recognised disability for the purposes of the Disability Discrimination Act), in that a lot of people think it is merely to do with reading and writing when in fact it affects all aspects of a sufferer's life. Freddie often finds it difficult to articulate what he wants to say and supplements his speech with hmms and aahs which give him some thinking time when words get jumbled about in his head. He also often hesitates to try and find the right word to express what he wants to say, which makes him appear indecisive and weak when talking to others. Freddie often takes his time to make a point which others find annoying, to the extent they will often talk over him or dismiss what he says out of hand..
They would not do this so readily if Freddie's dyslexia was not invisible.

Freddie was bullied as a child, before being diagnosed with dyslexia, and even though the HMs know he is dyslexic there is such ignorance about the condition that they are unaware of the extent to which it rules his life, and have cut him no slack whatsoever as regards what they see as his "weirdness" but in fact are merely his coping strategies.
There is no guile or subterfuge to Freddie because it would be too complicated for him to attempt duplicity.

To hate someone because they are mean spirited, nasty, vindictive etc, is one thing, but to hate them because they have been categorised as "weird" by reason of a physical or mental disability is pretty despicable.

I have not posted this by way of playing any "victim" card because I do not believe Freddie has ever seen himself as such. It is just a point of view to consider before calling someone weird or a freak without understanding why they behave as they do.

[Kazanne]

High Five angus58,someone with an unbiased view and can articulate a post