Dyslexia and self-esteem: stories of resilience

This study investigates stories of resilience in people with dyslexia. It provides a brief overview of some of the key literature in this area and draws on earlier research which I conducted (Glazzard, 2010). Data was collected using narrative genre. Four informants volunteered to tell their stories. The study considers ways in which dyslexia has shaped the self-esteem, self-concepts and identities of the informants. The stories provide powerful insights into the lives of people with dyslexia and the reader is invited to draw their own interpretations from the narratives. The study concludes that an early diagnosis of dyslexia is essential for creating a positive self-image and recommends that further narrative research is necessary to explore the significant impact that dyslexia has on people’s sense of self.