Written by: Mr. GraberFor Some Every Month is “October”
It is difficult to find two individuals who share the same definition of dyslexia, as misconceptions about dyslexia are commonplace. This remains constant, despite the fact that it is estimated that one in ten people have dyslexia. To complicate matters, often dyslexia is not formally identified in many individuals. It is interesting to note that some of the greatest minds of all-time were dyslexic. Nonetheless, it is not a significant part of our common vernacular. Among those notable dyslexics were: Winston Churchill, Leonardo DaVinci, Charles Darwin, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, Mark Twain, and Franklin Roosevelt.
To help debunk much of the misinformation that seems to surround the subject of dyslexia, educators and learning specialists worldwide have named October “Dyslexia Awareness Month.” Dyslexia is a neurologically-based disorder which interferes with an individual's ability to read and spell. Dyslexics have difficulty learning the code for written language. Contrary to popular belief, dyslexia is not the result of low intelligence, lack of motivation, sensory impairment, or inadequate educational opportunities, and dyslexia affects as many girls as boys.
Since 1972, The Bodine School in Germantown has led the Mid-South in teaching children with dyslexia to conquer their academic difficulties and strive for success. Founded by Richard and Virginia Bodine, the school for students in grades one through eight, has been under the direction of its Executive Director, Dr. Rene Friemoth Lee, since 1990.
Dr. Lee, who is widely respected in the community as an advocate for her students and for raising awareness for dyslexia in general, is quick to give much of the credit for the school’s success to the entire school community. “We have a tremendous amount of support from our extended school community, especially our families,” she says.
One such supporter is Michael Cook. Cook, a native of the Memphis-area, who now lives in Jackson, Tennessee, was living in England at the time his son was diagnosed with dyslexia. “We were getting ready to move back to Memphis for my job when he was diagnosed. It was back in 1996 when the internet was in its infancy. We started looking around and found out about The Bodine School,” he said.
Cook, a former Senior V.P. with Service Master, and his wife met with Dr. Lee shortly after arriving back in the states. Dr. Lee tested their son, but had no place for him in the school, as his grade was filled to capacity. “Initially, when she said there was no room for my son, I had resigned myself to the fact that we were just going to seek advice or alternatives for him,” he said. However, not being one to accept no for an answer, he persisted until a place was found for his son at the school.
Once Cook’s son was enrolled, Dr. Lee wasted little time in taking full advantage of Cook’s financial and business acumen and networking potential. She recruited Cook to join the school’s board of trustees where he recruited other quality board members. “Working on a non-profit board is quite different from working in private industry,” he says. “The challenge is to motivate people when you can’t tell them what to do.”
Cook met this challenge with great success, as for four years he led the Bodine board of trustees to recruit other strong-minded business types. They were successful in improving the quality of the lives of their students by getting the school’s needs met. “Michael Cook has contributed significantly to this school,” said Lee. “He was instrumental in getting our new state of the art science lab funded and built, and he improved the financial aid program at the school. In addition, he has been a great ambassador for our school and for dyslexia in general. Every school and every cause needs their own Michael Cook.”
With great modesty, Cook said he did not have much choice in the matter, but whole heartedly believes in the school’s mission and purpose. “I wanted my son to go to school at Bodine, and I was at Dr. Lee’s disposal and mercy,” he chuckled, and then stated, “I truly believe The Bodine School is doing something better than anyone else is in the Mid-South.”
Now that he has retired from the board of trustees at Bodine, Cook reflects to see how the school has made a positive impact in the lives of his family members. “Both my daughter, who is in high school, and my son, who is now doing well in college, attended Bodine,” he said. “It is wonderful to see that many students are going from Bodine into universities and succeeding.”
For Michael Cook’s family and many other families who have been touched by dyslexia, every month is Dyslexia Awareness Month.
