My Dyslexia Story: Jimmy Croy
Wednesday 19 March 2025
I was diagnosed with dyslexia in 2010, during my first few weeks at university. I vividly remember a lecturer pulling me aside and asking if I had dyslexia or experienced any other learning challenges. At the time, I had no idea what dyslexia was, and I remember thinking, "What is dyslexia, and why does he think I might have it?" I had never heard of it before that moment. After undergoing an assessment, I received my results, and everything about my past struggles in education began to make sense. For years, I had faced difficulties in school, from trouble reading to struggling with organisation and processing information. When I received the diagnosis, I had this moment of realisation, thinking, this is why so many things were so hard for me in school. The diagnosis helped me understand that my challenges weren鈥檛 a result of a lack of effort, but rather a different way of processing information.
It took some time to fully grasp what dyslexia was and how it affected my learning. Initially, it was overwhelming, but over time, I learned strategies to manage it, particularly in the educational environment. Understanding the condition allowed me to focus on adapting to different learning methods and finding tools that worked for me. Now, I see my dyslexia not as something that limits me, but as part of who I am. Its shaped the way I approach challenges, and I鈥檝e learned to use it as an advantage in many aspects of life, especially in creative problem-solving.
My brain works differently
Having dyslexia allows me to think differently and approach tasks in ways that work better for me. Through working with my dyslexia, I鈥檝e realised that when I am organised and plan ahead, things run much more smoothly, and this is crucial for my role. I鈥檝e also become very open to seeking help when needed, which I know can be challenging for others. Many see asking for help as a sign of weakness, but I鈥檝e learned it鈥檚 not, so I鈥檓 never afraid to ask if I don鈥檛 understand something. The challenges I face are daily, such as writing texts or reading aloud. To overcome these, I often read my texts out loud, as it helps me process what I鈥檝e written. The biggest ongoing challenge, though, is the lack of understanding from others about how I work and process information. It鈥檚 hard to explain why my brain works this way, as it's just how I鈥檝e always been, and others may never fully understand it.
"The support I鈥檝e received for my dyslexia has evolved over time, becoming more personalised and focused, particularly in my employment."
When I was first diagnosed, I was given academic adjustments to help with my studies, such as extended time for assignments and exams.
I was also provided with software aids, but I found these tools difficult to use and didn't find them as helpful as I had hoped. Throughout school, there was no support in place because I wasn鈥檛 diagnosed until I reached university. Looking back, school was quite challenging, and I now realise that my dyslexia was never recognised, which meant there were no accommodations or support to help me navigate my learning difficulties.
You CAN do it!
My biggest achievement, and one I'm extremely proud of, is everything I've accomplished since leaving school. In 2008, I left with no qualifications, my highest grade being a D- in maths. I didn鈥檛 know what to do next, but I was passionate about coaching children in sports. I applied for a college diploma in Sport and Exercise Science and, after being initially turned down, I was accepted on the condition that I retake my GCSEs alongside my studies. Two years later, I passed my diploma and went on to earn a Joint Honours degree in Sport Science Coaching and Sport Development. Achieving a degree seemed impossible leaving school, and to be honest I didn鈥檛 know anything about university until my second year at college.
This was a huge achievement, as I was the first of 11 siblings to attend university and earn a degree. Understanding and working with dyslexia made things harder at first, but I persevered. Then, four years ago, I decided to follow my dream of becoming a Police Officer, despite worrying that my dyslexia would hold me back. To my surprise, I was accepted, passed all the necessary training, and started a new career while pursuing my second degree. Just last week, I learned that I passed my Research project and will graduate with a degree in Professional Policing. My research project explored the challenge faced by neurodiversity Police Officers within my force, neurodiversity within policing is a huge passion of mine and there is a large gap in the research, so I wanted to help increase the awareness and hopefully start filling this research gap.
From leaving school with no qualifications to earning two degrees and fulfilling my career dreams, this journey shows that with determination, no matter the challenges, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.
My advice to others
My advice would be to embrace your uniqueness, focus on your strengths, and find strategies that help you manage the challenges. Don't view dyslexia as a disadvantage. Instead, see it as your brain processing information differently than others. Treat the diagnosis as something positive, and celebrate the fact that you think and learn differently. Its these differences that can bring new perspectives and strengths to things that others dont see.
I would want the world to know that having dyslexia is not a hindrance to achieving anything you set out to do. We simply approach things in our own way, which may seem different to others, but it's the right way for us. Embrace it. And finally, if you have dyslexia or any style of neurodiversity and you want to achieve your dream job, then please dont let this set you back or stop you from doing what you want. I never thought in a million years a police force would accept me but how wrong I was, work hard and you will be successful.