“And then I discovered a well-known vodka brand” type testimonies…

Many people, young and old, go through life without ever realising how different their experience of the printed word could be. Our education division has had many reports over the years from people who have seen overlays or reading rulers make a huge difference in their lives, or the lives of the people they work with. Here is a selection of our "And then I discovered..." type testimonies.

“It’s taken all the tiredness out of reading”
An Occupational Therapist talks about Visual Stress

“I’m 42 years old and I didn’t appreciate that words don’t have to drift around on the page. As soon as I started using an overlay I found out for the first time that the words actually sat still on the page. It’s taken all the tiredness out of reading. (our emphasis) Instead of it being like reading in the car, when you  just have to put the book down after a few minutes, I just use an overlay or reading ruler with the book and sit down to enjoy it!”

Penny Matthews

 "Whoever designed these and are marketing them are saints!"
Posting on a teacher’s forum

I expect you all know about these , but in case not - crossbow education send a freebie out now and then to schools. In light of the current discussion - don't throw this one away. I'm at a selective, academic 11-18 school and I have several pupils (an increasing number all the time as the news spreads), including a sixth former, who have succeeded well academically but find these things (cost about £1 each) amazingly helpful. They've coped for years with text blurring and swimming and didn't realise it was unusual. (our emphasis) A member of staff bought one for an elderly parent too. … They are discreet to use, come in several colours and are a LOT cheaper than tinted lenses. Crossbow are very helpful if you phone them. In contrast to many purveyors of solutions to Dyslexic type problems, whoever designed these and those who are marketing them are saints.

"It’s made a huge difference to my work”
From a Pastor in Edinburgh

“I’m 45, and am a pastor in Edinburgh. Reading the Bible is really hard work for me, and I had never finished reading a book in my life. My brother gave me one of your reading rulers, and it was amazing the difference it made when I put a yellow background on the page. It has made a huge difference to my work. Now I go into the local prison and do bible study with the prisoners.”

“A Little Miracle”
From a special needs teacher

“This (ie reading through a coloured overlay) has been a little miracle for one little boy. He didn’t like reading at all. I decided to try the overlays. We went through all the colours, and he found the celery made the text so much clearer. It had to be the celery, though. (our emphasis - showing how important it is to have the correct colour.) Now he really enjoys looking at books. So much so that his mum had to go out and buy him one!”