Family & Education
Nine-year-old Tali's dyslexia video is breaking hearts and changing minds
Tali's mother Jo, who is a member of Mill Hill United Synagogue, said she was “kvelling” at the response to her daughter's video.
July 18, 2017 09:26
Tali's mother Jo, who is a member of Mill Hill United Synagogue, said she was “kvelling” at the response to her daughter's video.
July 18, 2017 09:26When nine-year-old Tali Leigh was diagnosed with dyslexia two years ago she began to think she was not as capable as her school friends.
Tali, who attends Mathilda Marks-Kennedy School, told her mother Jo, “I can’t do that mummy, because I’m dyslexic,” but after producing a YouTube video designed to educate others about her condition, she said there is no reason it should hold her back.
Tali made the video, which has already gathered more than 1,000 views on YouTube, after her class was set the task to teach each other about something they were passionate about.
In the video Tali explains what it is like to be dyslexic. She can be seen in her bedroom holding up large pieces of card which explain the different challenges, for people with the condition.
Tali said she felt “amazed” that she had helped people to understand her condition.
“At first it was just something that I wanted to do for my class but we put it on YouTube and got an amazing response.
“I thought people were being mean to me, but they weren’t, they just didn’t understand my condition. Once I made the video about it they all said they understood it better and were nice to me about it.”
The video even moved one teacher to tears. Tali told the JC, “I can’t believe it. I feel really good, it is like I’m really helping people.”
Mrs Leigh said: “At first she wanted to do something on fashion and clothes, but I suggested she do something on dyslexia.
“Kids were beginning to notice Tali was getting lots of help in school. She was using yellow paper as it helps her to see words better and I could see her confidence slipping.”
She decided to make a video after watching similar ones produced by bloggers that she liked online.
Mrs Leigh added: “She did it all on her own in 20 minutes. It didn’t matter that there were mistakes in her writing because it shows the things that she finds hard.
“It has started loads of discussions in her class as well as online.”
Tali, who is not sure what she wants to be when she grows up, although she likes the idea of “being a triple threat,” said: “I saw one mum had showed her daughter in Israel and it made her feel better because she was feeling sad.
“It feels amazing that I’m helping other children like me to feel better. I want to do more videos about more things to help people understand they don’t have to feel bad.”
Mrs Leigh, who is also dyslexic, but was not diagnosed until she was 17, said: “She knows it doesn’t have to define you.
“I don’t worry about her. I know she isn’t any less of a person because her spelling is not as good.”
The mother, who is a member of Mill Hill United Synagogue, said she was “kvelling” at the response to her daughter's video.
“I thought my friends would watch it and like it, but I had no idea it would get the response it has.
“We are so proud when we read the messages and comments from people.
“It has been really empowering for her to talk about and in the long run I think it is going to have a really positive impact on her and other children like her.”
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