Dyslexia My Life [Paperback]

G. Sagmiller (Author, Editor, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 28, 2002

DYSLEXIA MY LIFE - one man's story of his life with a learning disability. In elementary school Girard Sagmiller was diagnosed as mentally retarded by his teacher and school administrators, who recommended that his family institutionalize him. In reality he suffered from dyslexia, which can affect speech, reading, time perception, and can slow learning in some subjects. In his book, DYSLEXIA MY LIFE , Girard Sagmiller discusses his struggles to overcome the ignorance and prejudice of his friends, family and society in general, to succeed in school (getting his MBA), business and life. The book DYSLEXIA MY LIFE has fairly large-size print and is packed full of emotion, drama, helpful tips, surprise and inspiration. It is told in the matter-of-fact tone of someone who has lived through quite extraordinary events without realizing they are anything out of ordinary. Besides being an engaging personal story, the book provides quite an education regarding the profound effects of dyslexia on a persons educational, social and emotional experiences.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Girard - "Great book! This kind of info is what family, friends and caregivers need to know. It is clear, concise and at times cuts to the heart. Thanks for allowing me to see your pain. It will help many of us be more patient and loving toward the little ones."

Girard - " Great book! When I was reading it last night I was amazed at the similarities between my nephew and you. Two days ago he got beaten up at school by some kids, so this will be just the pick-me-up he needs. We will be meeting them in Virginia next week, so I'll give it to him then. In the meantime, my sister and I both thank you for taking the time to write about the best approaches to take. Between you and me his father has not been the most patient with him and perhaps if he reds about the relationship between you and your father it will help the situation."

Girard - "As a father, with a son who has a learning disability, your book made me realize how to treat my son and better understand how to help him. The first two chapters made me cry as I also relived my experiences with my own son. I have mow learned to get out of my chair and sit in his, becoming a better parent. I can now say that I have better understanding of my son."

Girard - " This is the season to be thankful. I want to take this Thanksgiving-time opportunity to express my gratitude to you for coming to speak to the LD students at our school. I am so very grateful to you, as are my students. In our book, you expressed a desire to reach out and help even one person, so they would not lave to go though what you did because of all the misunderstandings that surround learning disabilities. You can be assured that you have already touched and CHANGED many lives." - Elementary School Teacher

Girard - " Thank you for coming to our school. Just like you talked about, I get North and south and right and left mixed up. I get bored easy, too. I'm good at building motors and leggos. I agree with what you sad, everybody has their own gifted area, and mine is sports. I'm also interested in science and social studies. I will like you to come back again." LD student --Reviews

About the Author

The book, DYSLEXIA MY LIFE , is an inspirational autobiography of Girard Sagmiller . Now at the age of 36, he is a Business Consultant for a world wide organization and moonlights as a professional model for companies such as Levi Jeans and Anheuser-Busch Inc. He also gives his time to offer classes at the University of Missouri, and other community services. Girard's story is an inspiration for all. We can benefit from knowing how to deal with obstacles that threaten to hold us back.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 132 pages
• Publisher: DML - Doubting Thomas Publishing Company; 1 edition (October 28, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964308711
• ISBN-13: 978-0964308718
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #369,025 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

G Sagmiller -Author / Dyslexic / Speaker
http://dyslexiamylife.com/
http://theglp.org
Mr Sagmiller, travels internationally as a consultant for a worldwide organization and moonlighted as a professional model for companies such as Levi Jeans and Anheuser-Busch Inc. He also offers classes through Universities, and contributes to other community services. Mr. Sagmiller servers as board member for Kansas/Western Missouri Branch of Internal Dyslexia Association and President of the board and co-founder for The Gifted Learning Project both (501(3)c) organization. In 2006 Mr Sagmiller were selected for the FamilyFun magazine, Points of Light Foundation and Walt Disney Company's Outstanding Volunteer Award. He is also the producer of the award wining documentary on PBS, Dakota's Pride - One father's search for the truth about Down syndrome.

Mr Sagmiller understands learning hurdlers 1st hand, he is dyslexic and also the father of a child with a learning hurdler.
* Mr. Sagmiller has appeared on hundreds of radio and television shows including Fox News and quoted in The Kansas City Star, The Business Journal and USA Today..
* Producer of Signing Song educational DVD
* Producer of Signing bible Song educational DVD
* Producer of CD - Movie Music CD - Dakota's Pride Theme Songs Artist/Band
* Producer of SENSORY INTEGRATION STRATEGIES educational DVD
* Producer of Dehydrator Delights educational DVD
* co-wrote the movie Dyslexia our lifes, webpage: giftedlearningproject.org/glp_movie.html
* Lectured internationally for countless Teacher workshops, classroom discussions, Notre Dame, Learning Disabilities Worldwide, Inc. (LDW), Learning Disability Association (LDA), International Dyslexia Association (IDA) and Michigan Dyslexia Institute(MDI).
* Mr Sagmiller has also been featured in business and parenting publications.
* Mr Sagmiller is currently the executive director of the non-profit organization, The Gifted Learning Project.
* Author of DT Publishing's best selling Autobiographic book, DYSLEXIA MY LIFE. The book won teacher's pick award
* A motivational speaker for small to Fortune 500 Corporations.
* Mr. Sagmiller has authored award winning published stories / articles / Movie Scripts on learning disabilities.
* Guest/keynote speaker at the Internal, state and regional learning disability conferences.
* Founder and developer of the web site dyslexiamylife.org. The web site won outstanding web site award from the Disability Network. Located at dyslexiamylife.org
* Winner of the Ronald E. Weger award for public awareness of dyslexia.
* Mr. Sagmiller is the subject of countless newspaper and magazine article on dyslexia and learning disabilities.
* Mr. Sagmiller has authored and produced limitless videos, tapes and CDs on learning disabilities.
* Understands dyslexia, because Mr. Sagmiller is dyslexic.
* Member of Learning Disability Association
* Member of the International Dyslexia Association
* Mr. Sagmiller servers as board member for Kansas/Western Missouri Branch of Internal Dyslexia Association and President of the board and co-founder for The Gifted Learning Project both (501(3)c) organization.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful and compelling - Very highly recommended, October 23, 2002

By 

C. Penn "WordWeaving" (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dyslexia My Life (Paperback)

As many as 15% of Americans may be dyslexic, yet this learning disability continues isolate and frustrate those who struggle with it. Consequently, Girard Sagmiller shares his personal experiences in DYSLEXIA MY LIFE in an effort to overcome the ignorance and prejudice of friends, family and society. Sagmiller shares not only his history, but also his creative coping skills that allowed him to go on to succeed in life, including earning an MBA in business.

Sagmiller was diagnosed as mentally retarded in elementary school. He describes in heart rendering terms the night a parent-teacher conference changed the lives of his family forever. Although his teaches recommended institutionalization, Sagmiller's mother refused to comply. His mother's tears and his father's rejections still haunt his memory. Later a more accurate diagnoses was made of dyslexia, which affects speech, reading, time perception, and can slow learning ins some subjects.

As a dyslexic myself, I found Sagmiller's account fascinating and I confess to learning a lot about myself while reading his narrative. I had never understood the two types of dyslexia, and how to discern between them. In addition, I couldn't help but chuckle in sympathy while reading his difficulty with standardized tests. I could easily empathize with the blows to the self-esteem as well as the feelings of stupidity and ineptitude. Moreover, with a Master's degree in English, I am also encouraged to find someone else who did reach his dreams despite the challenges meted out by this learning disability. A must read for those with dyslexia as well as parents, educators and others touched by this learning disability. DYSLEXIA MY LIFE comes very highly recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Insight, February 24, 2000

By 

Susan Potter (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dyslexia My Life (Paperback)

Being a parent of a child with dyslexia I found this book a great insight into the difficulties of this disorder. Mr Saqmiller explained well how he dealt with his disabilites from childhood to adulthood. I learned alot from focusing in on strengths instead of weakness to being an advocate for my child. I thank him for a wonderful read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sad & Joyful, February 12, 2004

By 

Catherine Ann McGowan (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dyslexia My Life (Paperback)

This book brought tears to my eyes. I was saddened regarding the unhappy early life that Mr. Sagmiller went through, yet I was very happy for his success in his later life.

I have an adult son who is dylexic, and the ongoing pain he has gone thru, and continues to go throuh, has constantly torn at my heart. I have kept in touch with Mr Sagmiller and he has been very helpful and supportive. He seems to be a gem of a human being and I have been very fortunate to have communicated with him. I hope my son, and I, can meet with Mr. Sagmiller some day.

If you know of someone who is dear to your heart who has been thru the pain and the anguish of dyslexia, you might want to consider either giving them this book or getting the tapes of this book for them. The tapes can be purchased on Mr. Sagmiller's website. I highly recommend this book.