Latest news with #Maddy
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'Dyslexia made me feel worthless at school - but it's been a superpower'
Successful businesswoman and author Maddy-Alexander Grout was reduced to tears as a schoolgirl struggling with dyslexia. Having put her shame behind her, Maddy now embraces her differences and is showing support for Jamie Oliver's important new campaign Much like Jamie Oliver, Maddy-Alexander Grout does not look back on her schooldays with much affection. Similarly to Jamie, Maddy had to navigate school life with dyslexia, which saw her unfairly labelled as "stupid" and "slow". Now 41, successful businesswoman and author Maddy has painful memories of crying during spelling tests, and remembers how, even though the words were potentially spelt correctly, "the letters were around the wrong way". Initially, Maddy's teacher believed her difficulties reading from the board were due to short-sightedness, and so she was given a pair of glasses she didn't even need. Maddy, from Southampton, laughingly admitted: "I fudged the test because I wanted to wear them." At the age of six, Maddy was diagnosed with dyslexia, a widely misunderstood learning difference that affects a person's reading, writing, and spelling abilities. As a creative child, Maddy loved drawing, painting and reading, and had a particular love of comics such as The Beano and The Dandy. However, visual learner Maddy found she read in a "different way" from her peers, reading quickly but then having to go back and re-read certain parts. Reading aloud in front of the class was also a nightmare. Maddy told the Mirror: "I used to get filled with absolute dread when the teacher at school used to make you stand up and read in front of the class. I'd always stumble over my words and repeat words or miss words out, and I used to get told off for it, and kind of ashamed." In his one-hour Channel 4 documentary, Jamie's Dyslexia Revolution, the TV chef opens up about the challenges he faced as a pupil with dyslexia, pushing for early screenings and better neurodiversity awareness. Speaking with The Sunday Times, Jamie shared that making the doc had been the "most viscerally painful" thing he's ever done, reflecting: "I've seen so many high-flying, talented, grown men cry about this — I've just done it to you — the concept of being worthless (when you're) young is real. It's really triggering." This is something Maddy can relate to all too well. She shared: "I wasn't supported in the right way. I think with the right support, people who are divergent—and you know, that includes dyslexia—can really thrive. So what Jamie is doing to raise awareness is absolutely incredible. I can really relate to how he felt at school because there were times when I felt like that." Following her initial diagnosis, Maddy switched schools as she wasn't getting the help she so desperately needed. She liked her next teacher, who helped her to "thrive", but this was far from the end of her difficulties. In high school, Maddy received external support from an English coach, but didn't receive any extra exam time or other means of assistance now available for pupils who are dyslexic. Maddy recalled: "I remember this one English class being asked to read something from Romeo and Juliet, and I think I actually even got one of the main characters' names wrong. I think I called him something else that was not even in the book, and it was just like, 'Where did that come from? ' "But it was really hard, you know, imagine like standing up in front of 30 people, knowing that you're gonna get it wrong, like that's it, it's scarring, and it does stay with you as a child." Outside of academics, socialising was also a struggle. As a youngster, Maddy suffered the cruelties of being picked on, and also struggled when it came to making friends, "smothering" those she did get close to. At that time, Maddy hadn't yet been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a condition which often coexists with dyslexia. This common link is something that Maddy, who now works as an ADHD money and business coach, is keen to draw attention to. Looking back with a far better understanding of herself, Maddy now knows there was never anything wrong with her, aware that learning in a neurotypical setting was just a case of trying to "put a CD in a tape player". Considering what she'd say to her younger self, Maddy said: "Believe in yourself, you're not broken, you're just different." Although Maddy is comfortable in her own skin now, it's been a long journey to get there. From her early to late teens, Maddy felt "completely and utterly useless". Her ADHD also affected the way Maddy dealt with money, landing her in £40,000 worth of debt. She was thankfully able to pay this hefty sum off, using self-taught "tips and tricks", which she discusses in her ADHD-focused finance book, Mad About Money. Indeed, as well as accepting her differences, Maddy has learned to embrace them and is eager to show that there are many benefits to having dyslexia and ADHD, which aren't talked about enough. Highlighting how those with dyslexia can often be "really strategic thinkers" and excellent storytellers, Maddy remarked that "lots of dyslexic people go on to be really good entrepreneurs." Pointing at the prime example of Jamie, Maddy noted: "I mean, Jamie Oliver is an incredible entrepreneur. He's not just a chef, he's somebody who is actually going out there and telling his story and changing lives, and that's what I wanted to do with my book. "I think there is a common misconception that dyslexic people are not very clever when actually we are really clever, we just have different brains that process things in a different way." Jamie has spoken out about how entering the kitchen "saved" him, allowing him to carve a path for himself after feeling alienated by the traditional school system. For Maddy, this lifeline was public speaking, a talent which has allowed her to find her voice and speak up for others navigating similar journeys, through channels such as her Mad About Money podcast. Nowadays, Maddy is happy to "show up imperfectly" and encourages others to learn more about their brains so that they can show up as the person they're meant to be. She's also cautioned against shame, urging others to see the strengths in their "different operating systems " instead of flaws. Maddy is now mum to Ben, 10, and Harriet, 6, both of whom have dyslexia. Although she's seen improvements in how dyslexia is handled in modern schools, she believes there's still some way to go. Expressing her wishes for the future, Maddy continued: "I want there to be more education for children. Not just education for children who are dyslexic, but I'd like to see education for all children in school about what dyslexia actually is, so that they don't bully their friends, or they don't have negative conversations or call people stupid. "I want people to actually be talking about the positives about dyslexia as well because I think that's something that's not done enough. I think you need more people who have dyslexia who are successful at speaking in schools. I think that would be a really good thing to show people that you can achieve things and not to see yourself as negative." You can catch Jamie's Dyslexia Revolution on Channel 4 at 9 pm on June 9.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
R. Madhavan reflects on his journey: 'I was a simple Tamil Brahmin electronics engineer… Pataa nahin yeh acting ka keeda kahan se aa gaya'
The Maddy who made and gave Bollywood a classic romantic hit with his film 'Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein' and recently as a 'Shaitan' made the audience feel chills down their spine, has turned 55 years old today. On this lovely occasion, he spoke candidly and exclusively about his journey in the entertainment industry. The actor shared how he doesn't know how or when the 'acting bug' caught him, as he was just a simple engineer who never planned on anything as such. Madhavan on being re-invented as an antagonist With his recent work in 'Shaitaan' and 'Kesari 2,' Maddy reinvented himself as a villain in the industry. Speaking about the same, he said, 'I didn't work towards it. I didn't plan anything in my career. I was a simple Tamil Brahmin electronics engineer from Jamshedpur. Pataa nahin yeh acting ka keeda kahan se aa gaya.' He added, 'It was not planned. They (negative roles) just happened. I am very proud of Shaitaan and Kesari 2. But I think I am done with naughty characters for a while.' Having said that, he also said that for the future, he doesn't have a plan, 'But yes, I hope to continue to get the love of the audience even when I play a shaitaan.' The turning points of R. Madhavan 's career Further, while reflecting on his journey and the milestones, Maddy shared, ''Banegi Apni Baat' was my first taste of stardom. I got a lot of attention for that. Then, Mani Ratnam 's 'Alai Payuthey,' of course. That's where my movie began. I could never thank Mani Sir enough for taking a television actor and putting him up there. I mean, oh my God! I still pinch myself. I consider Mani Ratnam a very integral part of my success. We went on to collaborate on other films. I would rush to do another film with him any day.' Further, Madhavan shared that 'Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein' got him a place in Hindi cinema. 'I am thankful to Vashu Bhagnaniji.' 'Another turning point of Raju Hirani's '3 Idiots.' That was not only fun to shoot but also a huge success. And of course, 'Rocketry: The Nambi Effect,' which I directed. I got to play one of our unsung heroes Nambi Narayanan. My biggest moment of victory was when Nambi Sir liked the film,' stated the actor. The best part is that both he and his fans know that there are more milestones to come as the actor maintains his relevancy in the industry. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
7-year-old boy hit and killed while crossing street in Gastonia: Police
GASTONIA, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A seven-year-old boy was killed after being hit by a car while crossing the street with another child, according to the Gastonia Police Department. Just before 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, officers responded to the reported collision on the 1000 block of West Hudson Blvd. Police said a seven-year-old and another juvenile were crossing the street when a Jeep Cherokee hit them in the eastbound lane. The seven-year-old was taken to a local medical center with life-threatening injuries before being taken to the Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte. Sadly, the child passed away around 10 p.m., officials said. Funeral held Tuesday for 16-month-old Maddy after tragic death at Lenoir daycare Authorities did not say if the other child was injured. The driver of the Jeep, a 76-year-old woman, has not yet been charged, according to Gastonia Police. The collision is still under investigation. Anyone who saw the crash or who has any details should call the police department at 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Teen's family sues for defamation after fight at Ardrey Kell High School
CHARLOTTE () — A teenage boy's family is suing after they say a girl's family mischaracterized their son and the incident. The civil lawsuit stems from an at Ardrey Kell High School on Friday, March 7, when a black male student and a Muslim female student were involved in an altercation. The girl's the alleged fight was fueled by racial and religious hatred, with the male student, a football player, punching her multiple times in the head. They continue that the girl will need reconstructive surgery. However, that no derogatory terms were used. They continue that the female student continually bullied their son and attacked the boy first. The male student reportedly spent almost ten minutes trying to de-escalate the situation and, the family says, was forced to defend himself. After review, a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) task force . In a joint statement, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office said the evidence collected did not rise to the level of a hate crime. The girl's family says they by the FBI prior to this decision. Those on are calling for the video of the fight to be released. On Wednesday, May 28, lawyers for the boy's family announced that a civil lawsuit had been filed against the girl's family and other representatives. The lawsuit is seeking damages for assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, libel, slander, and defamation. The lawsuit alleges that the girl's family and representatives for them made statements in bad faith and without care for the safety of the boy and his family. The 'blatantly false' statements made to the media, on social media, and elsewhere reportedly alleged that the boy was charged, that he used steroids and derogatory terms, and that the incident was a 'brutal beating.' Funeral held Tuesday for 16-month-old Maddy after tragic death at Lenoir daycare The lawsuit also claims that the girl pressured one of her classmates to change their police statement in her favor and that the girl's family tried to intimidate the boy's family at a court hearing by blocking the courtroom door. Lawyers continue that the boy's home has been vandalized, his family has been threatened through phone calls and messages, and their personal contact information has been shared on social media. Officers are reportedly having to post a security detail at the boy's 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Live: Funeral Tuesday for 16-month-old Maddy after tragic death at Lenoir daycare
LENOIR, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — On Tuesday, the community of Lenoir is gathering to say goodbye to 16-month-old Madolyn 'Maddy' Amara-Serenity Mitchell. Her funeral is being held on Tuesday afternoon, just over a week after the toddler's sudden and heartbreaking death on her very first day at Creative Beginnings daycare. The service, set for 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, at Waterlife Church, is expected to draw loved ones, neighbors, and members of a grieving community. Community comes together to raise money for family of toddler who died at Lenoir daycare Court documents and a 911 call released last week revealed the desperate efforts of daycare workers after finding Maddy unresponsive. CPR was attempted. Emergency services were called. But by 3:19 p.m. on May 19, Maddy was gone. Alexandra Lee Coffey, a 29-year-old employee at the daycare, is now facing felony involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with the case. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has since ordered the immediate shutdown of Creative Beginnings. Past violations at the daycare point to unsafe sleep practices and inadequate staff training. Tuesday, though, will not be about investigations or court dates. It's about a little girl who was described 'as a ray of sunshine,' a child who loved Minnie Mouse, toy ducks, and her big brothers. Born on Christmas Day, family says Maddy was a gift. Tragedy on day one: Newly released 911 call sheds light on Lenoir toddler's death, daycare worker charged Born on Christmas Day in Hickory, North Carolina, Maddy was a precious gift to her devoted parents, Angel Blankenship and Jovon Mitchell. The joy she brought into their lives and the lives of those around her was immeasurable. The suddenness of Maddy's passing has left our family utterly heartbroken. We were not prepared to say goodbye to our sweet Maddy, and her brief presence among us has deepened the devastation of this loss. The absence of her bright spirit will be felt deeply. Madolyn 'Maddy' Amara-Serenity Mitchell Obituary As mourners gather at Blue Ridge Memorial Park for her burial, the family has made one request: that no staff from the daycare center attend the services. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
