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What an honor to have John Rodrigues as a Champion Chat speaker! John's life story resonated with our youth. A special treat for the kids was that John helped hand out Award of Excellence ribbons to EVERY kid recognizing their hard work this school year! Be sure to watch the new documentary John is featured in - "Being You" - and read his excellent book, "High School Dropout to Harvard".

The Dyslexia Buddy Network & Embracing Dyslexia Present: What I Wish Teachers Knew About Dyslexia. This film was also created to give our kids a voice. Visit: DyslexiaBuddyNetwork.com & EmbracingDyslexia.com

After a fun Golf for Kids event at a driving range, Shane LeBaron speaks to kids in the Dyslexia Buddy Network, sharing his own experience with dyslexia. Shane is a golf instructor, nominated in 2014 for Golf Magazine Top 100 Instructors, and former professional golfer.

“Each of you has a special gift and talent that is above average, and makes you very, very special. People with dyslexia have unique skills, and above average talents," said award-winning songwriter, Darryl Duncan, to the Dyslexia Buddy Network.

Darryl studied jazz piano, MIDI, and electronic music at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. His songs have been recorded on over 31 albums or motion pictures since 1987 including several charting singles and a number one record. He has written more than 380 songs for many music industry notables such as: Michael Jackson, Earth, Wind & Fire, Chaka Khan, Jeffrey Osborne, Shanice Wilson, Barry White,Young MC, Sharon Bryant, Dawnn Lewis, E.U., Elisa Fiorillo, Vesta, Keisha Jackson, Foster Sylvers, Howard Johnson, Karen White, O’Brien, Jerry Butler, and countless other recording artists. Darryl himself was also a solo artist on Motown in 1987.

Darryl has also written music for commercial product jingles for Toyota, Miller beer, BP/Amoco, McDonald’s, The Illinois State Lottery, Volkswagon, Wal-mart and Sears to name a few and has won industry awards for his songwriting abilities.

“He said all the things that I think about dyslexia, but I’ve never said them out loud,” said one girl about Shawn Cork’s presentation. Shawn, a 20-year old college student from Elgin Illinois and youth basketball coach, shares his story with the kids in the Dyslexia Buddy Network. He was not diagnosed with dyslexia until age 17, and describes the significant impact the delay in diagnosis had on his schooling and self-esteem. To download a PDF of his poems, visit the "Inspiration" page at DyslexiaBuddyNetwork.com.

This was filmed on March 22, 2015 in Grayslake IL, with 35 people in the audience. The Dyslexia Buddy Network’s mission is to connect kids with dyslexia to each other, to empower and inspire them. We have over 50 families, and 70 kids with dyslexia, across the state of Illinois. Learn more at DyslexiaBuddyNetwork.com.

The Dyslexia Buddy Network’s mission is to connect kids with dyslexia to each other, to empower and inspire them. We have over 50 families across the state of Illinois. Learn more at DyslexiaBuddyNetwork.com.