Living with dyspraxia can often mean navigating a world that was not designed with you in mind. From seemingly simple tasks to professional responsibilities, dyspraxia can present unique challenges that require creative solutions and resilience. I have found that being open about my experiences and seeking out tools and strategies that work for me has helped me to flourish.
Dear Reader, forgive me if I do not start this story exactly where I should. You see, one of the quirks of having Dyspraxia is that organising thoughts into neat little packages on the page is not my strong point. My mind likes to wander, thoughts spill out in all directions — it’s like herding cats! But, hey, that’s just how my brain rolls.
In the summer of 2020 during the instability of the coronavirus pandemic through the periods of lockdowns I began doing something that would become so cathartic and therapeutic. I choose to launch a podcast. I had no experience in producing audio before, scripting or planning a podcast show. However the podcast became important in a tough time for myself. As at that time I was struggling through my worst period of autistic burnout, anxiety and depression.
I am a dyspraxic competitive Saber fencer which certainly comes with challenges. I train twice a week at Birmingham Fencing Club and have done so since 2022. I originally learned foil at the University of Birmingham Fencing Club in 2021 but did not want to stick with the style. Fencing is a strange enough sport without also throwing in dyspraxia, as movements have to be learnt specifically for fencing, which is unique to the sport.
The language you use can define whether you are a great place to work or a place to avoid at all costs. I always believe there is a journey to becoming neuro-inclusive.
I first discovered I had dyspraxia when I was reading about it as part of my teaching degree and realised I was looking at a profile of myself. I had always been a bit different to my peers at school, a feeling of being odd but not understanding quite why that was the case. Out of nowhere, I had the beginnings of an explanation.
I was diagnosed with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD/dyspraxia) when I was 7 years old and I am now 14 years old. In June this year I went to Ghent in Belgium to speak at the DCD15-IMDRC6 international conference about my experiences of being a teenage boy with DCD/dyspraxia. I wanted to share my experiences of what it is like growing up with DCD/dyspraxia, to let teachers know how it affects everyday life and to help them understand how they can make a difference. This is what I told them:
My name is Dima Alghamdi. I am from Saudi Arabia. I have a learning difficulty, and I am a learning difficulty coach, confidence coach, and fear specialist. Also, I am a DISC assessor and a Birkman consultant. I am a youth and parent coach and work at all ages from 8 to 60 years old. I am a PCC coach from ICF and a mentor registered coach from ICF to anyone who wants to get their ACC or PCC credentials. I am also a career coach. Also, I am the author of *The First Saudi Children story” Emilia”, which includes coaching and philosophical questions. I am a certified trainer in the Middle East and a certified philosophy expert*. Also, I am an NLP practitioner and a TFT expert. Also, I am an influencer on Instagram.
Born in the heart of New Delhi, within the confines of a slum, my early life was marred by the dual challenges of poverty and a tumultuous family environment. My father, an alcoholic, provided little stability, compelling me to undertake odd jobs to support my education. Adding to these difficulties, I was diagnosed with dyspraxia and a stammer. These conditions made everyday tasks and communication exceptionally challenging. However, these very challenges have shaped my path towards becoming an advocate for the inclusion of persons with disabilities and neurodivergent conditions.
October marks Black History Month in the UK, a time to celebrate the immense contributions Black people have made to British history, while also embracing the beauty and diversity of African and Caribbean cultures.
This month also coincides with Dyspraxia Awareness Week, making it an especially busy time for me. The theme for this year’s Black History Month is “Reclaiming Narratives,” and for me, part of reclaiming a narrative involves challenging long-held stereotypes. In this blog, I want to explore how dyspraxia has allowed me to reclaim what it means to be a Black man in 21st century Britain.
