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Paul Orfalea
Kinko's Founder
As far as ADD, think about a hundred years ago. Was it normal to sit still and be quiet? Now we have executives that try to sit still and drink coffee at their desk. It doesn't make any sense.
Q: How did your family deal with your dyslexia and ADHD?
Well, my parents were very understanding and had me go to different tutors. I had to go to an eye doctor three days a week. I went to memory school over here in Crenshaw. My parents said every word I ever read cost them $50.
Q: How did ADHD and dyslexia help you?
It didn't get me bogged down on the details. In other words, if I couldn't write my own letters, I worked with a lady named CeCe. When I first would dictate letters, she'd have a little scribble pad, and she'd think I'm uttering something important. I'd say, "Look, drop your little scribble pad. Read this letter. Now, this is my problem. You figure out how to put it on a piece of paper."
Kinko's founder Paul Orfalea has been profiled by several top magazines as a prominent leader who's overcome dyslexia. In his autobiography, Copy This!, he shares how he turned "learning opportunities" into entrepreneurial strengths.
Related Episode
Recommended Web Sites
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Dyslexia Information Sheet includes links to organizational resources.
The International Dyslexia Association is an international network that brings professionals and parents together for a common purpose.
The KidsHealth "Understanding Dyslexia" section explains how dyslexia is diagnosed and what it's like to have it.
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Published: September 15, 2005
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