02 Sep Owen Murtagh – Case Worker
When were you identified as dyslexic?
My mother died when I was a child and my dad struggled with all the kids. I barely went to primary school. I am from Mullingar and I was expected to become a labourer or work on a farm.
How was your experience at school?
I was creative and found it hard to sit still and struggled to read and write. I was so stressed at primary school. By the end of primary school I could just write my name and address.
Did you receive supports in education?
At 14 years old social services got involved, I was called into school because I hadn’t been attending. One teacher stepped up and gave me one-on-one support with reading and writing and maths. Within 6 months I could read and write. The care and attention from this teacher was so important, and I managed to pass my exams.
How has your experience been in work?
I went on to do a painting and decorating apprentice. At 19 I started my own business. I then reached out to the adult education FET centre in Mullingar, because I wanted to improve my reading and writing. They assigned me a woman who supported me with this until I was 25. By then I had 15 to 25 employees.
Through the adult education I started volunteering. This led to be involved in the drug rehabilitation centre in Mullingar. At 28, I was offered a professional role, and then began studying addiction studies at Liberties College in Dublin. I then went on to do a degree. During this degree Linda, a lecturer, suggested that I might have dyslexia. I struggled with sentence structure and found it hard to hear the sounds of words and form them. The department did the dyslexia assessment, and I was diagnosed. Via the learning network within ITB I found the support I needed, and I was able to rely on them. This support was assistance in exams – in second year I had additional time to read over the questions, and I also had a scribe for a couple of exams. There, I found that I was enjoying the learning environment for the first time.
After the 4th year with this support my confidence really grew. I then went on to work at a Residential Children’s unit. I continued painting and decorating – I was self-employed.
I was a woodwork teacher at an ETB. I was very pleased to get the role, and supporting young people was really fulfilling. I am now starting a new job at Empowerment Plus to be a Case Worker for foster families. I shared about my dyslexia in the interview, and my new workplace seems very supportive of dyslexic people.
How does your dyslexia affect you?
During my time at Liberties College my vocabulary really improved, it was noticeable. Now reading is grand with the occasional trip up. I still have a big phobia of reading out loud in front of people. And sometimes I still find it hard to retrieve words and I trip up on the first three letters/sounds of words.
I now speak into my phone instead of writing – I’ve learnt to adapt. I ran a successful business for the last 10 years. And barely anyone in my life knows I’m dyslexic. I want to improve myself and persevere and share that dyslexia doesn’t have to hold you back. I have four kids, one is diagnosed with dyslexia. I want to show them all that regardless of your background you can adapt, change and grow.
What advice would you give to other people who have dyslexia?
Don’t give up, push through, seek help and build your confidence. In my late teens I knew I needed to reach out for help. I was lucky that, when I did, I found good support. I praise all the people that helped me along the way. Especially my wife who has been so supportive.
Through my experiences I have now been drawn to supporting people and giving back. I encourage others to try adult education. You never know where it might lead you.