Sydney was the Christian councillor, they would meet once a month. Everyone referred to him as Dr Apuleius. But when asked if he had a doctorate in psychology he answered;
“No; I don’t have a doctorate, that is just something that call me at the house and I see no need to correct the issue. I have multiple masters and post graduate qualifications but I’m not a doctor.”
He listened and gave intelligent responses. He liked to use flattery, he was guilty of gossip and had a hang up about dyslexia. It turned out Andrew was dyslexic. He had extraordinary ability with abstract concepts, but had poor short term memory. And this is very exciting because of the left brain right brain thing;
“Left-brain dominant people are said to be more logical, analytical, and detail-oriented. They excel in tasks involving language, mathematics, and logic. Right-brain dominant people are considered more creative, intuitive, and holistic. They are thought to be better at tasks involving visual and spatial reasoning, music, and the arts.
Dyslexia has been associated with differences in the structure of the left hemisphere regions, such as the left temporal lobe, which plays a key role in processing spoken and written language.
Functional MRI studies have shown that people with dyslexia often have reduced activity in areas like the left hemisphere of the brain. Individuals with dyslexia rely more on the right hemisphere to compensate for deficits in the left hemisphere, particularly when it comes to visual processing of words.” Sydney went at some length to explain.
“I’ve been juggling a lot lately and that gets the left and right brain talking to each other. How is that going to effect my dyslexia?”
“You’re using your creativity and your learned reflexes, you are doing it to music and maybe you are talking while you do it. Multisensory approaches, techniques that integrate visual, auditory, and touch can engage both hemispheres and create alternative pathways for reading and comprehension.”
“Juggling involves coordination, timing, spatial awareness, and motor control, engaging both hemispheres of the brain in different ways. When juggling, the left brain is engaged in planning and executing the hand eye coordination needed to catch and throw balls in the right sequence. The right hemisphere is taking care of spatial awareness, visual processing, and understanding the patterns of the balls. Jugglers are able to anticipate where the balls will be by focusing on the top of the pattern and their hand positions adjust accordingly. Studies have found that learning to juggle increases grey matter in much of the brain, particularly in regions involved in handy coordination. Juggling also enhances cognitive functions like concentration, problem-solving, and memory. Juggling is sometimes used in therapeutic settings to help improve motor skills and coordination in individuals with neurological conditions or brain injuries. It can also be used to reduce stress and improve mental well-being through physical activity and rhythmic, repetitive motion. Engaging in activities like juggling that challenge the brain and require learning new skills can contribute to overall brain health and cognitive resilience. Juggling engages both hemispheres of the brain, enhancing motor control, spatial awareness, and timing. That’s what the flyer from the juggle jam on Brunswick Street told me. So do you think it will fix my bad spelling?”
“It must be good for mindfulness.”
“At first it is frustrating because you keep dropping them. Then you get a solid pattern and it becomes meditative.”
“It is typical of a dyslexic to overcompensate.”
“I just thought it would make the begging more lucrative.”
“Did it?”
“No, it’s about the same. But the meditation is good.”
“I think you are very right brained. You are inspired by the creative.”
“My logical side is well developed too. I can manage my devices. I can plan logistics, plan menus, manage bank and internet accounts.”
“You are very mildly dyslexic.”
“I’m told it is cause I didn’t learn to crawl before I learned to walk. I got nappy rash and refused to crawl, I went straight to walking. That crawling action gets the left right crossing the meridian thing happening. Now I’m learning to juggle I’m creating those left right connections and I will be cured of dyslexia.”
“I don’t know if it will cure you of dyslexia and I doubt it will fix your spelling. But it should do wonders for your hand eye coordination, it will get the left and right brain talking to each other and it’s good meditation. So yes I highly recommend you keep it up.”
Andrew told Sydney about his plans to write a book.
“Be sure to put in a bit about dyslexia. Dyslexics tend to be very creative people. It is good to overcome the limitations of your dyslexia but you also need to utilise the strengths. You are wise, insightful and well spoken. These are strengths from the dyslexic right brain.”
Clown Artist Philosopher
There is wisdom behind the mask of folly
Clown Artist Philosopher 