In this episode Andrew sits down with Mirabel Brow, a chemistry student at University of London. Mirabel's academic achievements are extraordinary by any standards, but when considering Mirabel has dyslexia, dyspraxia, and autism, they are even more phenomenal.

In the episode, Mirabel tells Andrew of the incredible influence her mother had on her education and how Mirabel’s precocious mindset enabled her to both succeed and exceed in school. Andrew and Mirabel get under the skin of neurodivergence, discussing the common overlap of different conditions, how each poses a unique set of strengths, and what needs to be done to get the most out of neurodiverse students.   

Top quotes

“Once I was assessed I knew I wasn’t stupid.” - Mirabel Brow

“I’m not a diagnosis; I’m a person.” - Mirabel Brow

“You can just leave school and get a job. You don’t have to worry. Everyone’s journey is different” - Andrew Kitley

“One in five people are dyslexic.” - Mirabel Brow

About The Guest

Mirabel Brow is a chemistry student from University College London. Mirabel had chronic dyslexia growing up, and as a child she was told she wouldn’t be able to read until age 11. Mirabel also has dyspraxia and is on the autism spectrum.

Although initially she found school challenging, her parents capitalised on the precocious and diligent child. She took extra work home and spent summers practising her reading and writing. By her teens, Mirabel was flourishing academically and would go on to study chemistry at University College London. She is currently president of the Art Society and plans to specialise in inorganic chemistry. 

Resources

https://www.kitall.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirabel-brow?originalSubdomain=uk

https://www.onefineplay.com/

About The Host

The Invisible Gift is hosted by entrepreneur and dyslexic, Andrew Kitley. With twenty years experience, Andrew Kitley has worked his way up the metaphorical and literal ladder to become Managing Director of Kitall: an engineering firm.

Under Andrew's guidance, Kitall is now one of the most sought after names to complete complex engineering projects in the UK. In each episode of The Invisible Gift, Andrew seeks the advice & inspiration of a fellow trailblazer who has defied the odds to achieve the extraordinary - turning the challenge of dyslexia into a gift.

In this episode of The Invisible Gift, Andrew talks with the multi-award winning inventor, and artist, Jim Rokos. Andrew and Jim have a fascinating conversation. Jim talks about his experiences in school, his first invention, how dyslexia has informed and defined his work, and they speak on the merits and strengths of neurodiversities in society at large. The boys also enjoy a ‘dyslexic’ bottle of wine. 

Special thanks to Ruth Ward for permitting use of her photography. 

Top Quotes

“It’s a dyslexic thing to think around problems and find solutions.” - Jim Rokos

“Having failed so much through school, there’s a willingness to fail and take risks." - Jim Rokos

“I think all neuro- diversities are advantageous. Within a community, it’s useful to have people who think in different ways.” - Jim Rokos

“The brain architecture of a dyslexic is more tangled. Which is how they can come up with more unusual ideas.” - Jim Rokos

About The Guest

Jim Rokos is a multi-award winning artist and inventor based in London. Jim learned he had dyslexia at age 9, and has since spread the message of neurodiverse positivity through his art. Originally training as a model maker, Jim worked on a number of major television and film projects such as The Muppets Treasure Island, Tomb Raider, Band of Brothers and others.

His patented cat-food bowl won BBC’s Tomorrow’s World's Best Inventions pilot in 2001. Rokos won the prestigious 2012 Reddot Design award for the 13° 60° 104° Wine Decanter and the Enterprise Europe Network Award 2014 for the Gauge vase. In 2016, Jim curated the first ever Dyslexic Design exhibition in London. The show challenged perceptions of dyslexia by accentuating the positive effects of unique perspectives in art and design. The show was a silver winner in London’s design awards.

Resources

http://www.jimrokos.com/

https://www.kitall.co.uk/

https://www.ruthward.com/

https://www.onefineplay.com/

About The Host

The Invisible Gift is hosted by entrepreneur and dyslexic, Andrew Kitley. With twenty years experience, Andrew Kitley has worked his way up the metaphorical and literal ladder to become Managing Director of Kitall: an engineering firm.

Under Andrew's guidance, Kitall is now one of the most sought after names to complete complex engineering projects in the UK. In each episode of The Invisible Gift, Andrew seeks the advice & inspiration of a fellow trailblazer who has defied the odds to achieve the extraordinary - turning the challenge of dyslexia into a gift.

Andrew sits down with portrait photographer and artist Jon Holloway. Andrew and Jon spoke at length about Jon's experiences with dyslexia in school and university, how dyslexia has helped define Jon’s optimistic and determined mindset, and why dyslexia is his ‘superpower’; not ‘kryptonite’.

Jon explains the origins behind his amazing neurodiversity project, why highlighting the unique and extraordinary qualities of neurodivergence is important, his ambitions plans for the project in the future, and we learn the secret to portrait photography.   

Top Quotes

“Life has been so difficult due to an inability to read and communicate as I’d like to. Therefore, everything else will be fine” - Jon Holloway

“I created this project because I wanted ten year old me to see these portraits and think: ‘It’s okay. You can be this good.” - Jon Holloway

 “Any portraiture really, is about learning about the person. It’s like an interview.” - Jon Holloway

“Dyslexia is something that can be amazing. I believe it's a superpower.” - Andew Kitley

“Concentrate on your superpower and not on your kryptonite.” - Jon Holloway

About The Guest

Jon Holloway is an east London based photographer and artist. Jon has specialised in headshot photography for a number of well known media, broadcasting, and production talents including Zoe Tapper, Chris Lang, and Iain Glen just to name a few.

Jon also utilises a bespoke studio known as Holloway Lightbox, which is used as a photography studio and writers retreat. Most recently, Jon has been leading a photography neurodiversity project which captures exceptional neurodivergents in their space. 

Resources

https://jonholloway.co.uk/

https://studiobark.co.uk/projects/holloway-lightbox/

https://jonholloway.co.uk/dylexic-photographer-blog

https://www.kitall.co.uk/

https://www.onefineplay.com/

About The Host

The Invisible Gift is hosted by entrepreneur and dyslexic, Andrew Kitley. With twenty years experience, Andrew Kitley has worked his way up the metaphorical and literal ladder to become Managing Director of Kitall: an engineering firm.

Under Andrew's guidance, Kitall is now one of the most sought after names to complete complex engineering projects in the UK. In each episode of The Invisible Gift, Andrew seeks the advice & inspiration of a fellow trailblazer who has defied the odds to achieve the extraordinary - turning the challenge of dyslexia into a gift.

In this episode of The Invisible Gift, Andrew speaks to Adelle Tracey: a top Team Great Britain athlete and middle distance runner. Andrew and Adelle spoke about Adelle’s childhood in Jamaica, her beginning in sport, how dyslexia has impacted her life and her goals for the 2021 Olympic Games and beyond.

Top Quotes

“That’s the superpower of dyslexic people: Finding a way out of a problem.” - Andrew Kitley

“80% dyslexics leave school without a diagnosis” - Adelle Tracey

“Believe in yourself. Don’t see dyslexia as a barrier, see it as a strength.” - Adelle Tracey

About The Guest

Adelle Tracey is a middle distance runner, Team Great Britain athlete, and makeup artist. She was chosen as a torchbearer in the 2012 London Olympics and lit the Olympic flame. In the semifinals 2018 European Championships,

Adelle achieved her 800 metres personal best of 1:59.86, and went on to finish fourth in the final. Adelle is an ambassador for the British Dyslexia Association, and is in contention to appear in the 2021 Olympic Games. 

Resources

https://www.adelletracey.com/

https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/

https://www.kitall.co.uk/

https://www.onefineplay.com/

About The Host

The Invisible Gift is hosted by entrepreneur and dyslexic, Andrew Kitley. With twenty years experience, Andrew Kitley has worked his way up the metaphorical and literal ladder to become Managing Director of Kitall: an engineering firm.

Under Andrew's guidance, Kitall is now one of the most sought after names to complete complex engineering projects in the UK. In each episode of The Invisible Gift, Andrew seeks the advice & inspiration of a fellow trailblazer who has defied the odds to achieve the extraordinary - turning the challenge of dyslexia into a gift.

Andrew chats to Grant ‘The Royal Butler’ Harrold. Andrew quizzes Grant on how he began his career, as a butler and Andrew learns what The Royal Family are really like to work for. We also learn how Grant realised he was dyslexic, how it has both challenged and empowered him, Grant shares some stories of the hilarious faux pas as a result of dyslexia, and the boys also speak about Grant’s etiquette school, and his plans for the future. 

Top Quotes

“A common ground for dyslexics is a determination.” - Grant Harrold

“The secret to being a great butler is knowing what your client wants before they ask for it.” - Grant Harrold

“Nobody is going to believe I’m actually sitting in Clarence House. In the drawing room. Talking to the Prince of Wales about life.” - Grant Harrold

About The Guest

Grant ‘The Royal Butler’ Harrold, is an entertainer, royal commentator, broadcaster, etiquette expert, and former butler to the Prince of Wales. Grant began his career butlering in 1997, and within seven years would be interviewed for a position by The Prince of Wales himself in Clarence House.

Grant appeared in the BBC series Country House, and has since gone on to forge a hugely successful career broadcasting - appearing on television around the world. Grant continues to teach others how to behave around royals with his etiquette school and, most recently, co-stars with his dachshunds on his youtube channel: The Royal Butler. 

Resources

https://www.theroyalbutler.co.uk/etiquette-consultant-uk

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNGcIL3e2oCoUupdktt_VQA

https://www.kitall.co.uk/

https://www.onefineplay.com/

About the host

The Invisible Gift is hosted by entrepreneur and dyslexic, Andrew Kitley. With twenty years experience, Andrew Kitley has worked his way up the metaphorical and literal ladder to become Managing Director of Kitall: an engineering firm.

Under Andrew's guidance, Kitall is now one of the most sought after names to complete complex engineering projects in the UK. In each episode of The Invisible Gift, Andrew seeks the advice & inspiration of a fellow trailblazer who has defied the odds to achieve the extraordinary - turning the challenge of dyslexia into a gift.

Welcome to The Invisible Gift, the show all about turning disability into possibility. 

Andrew Kitley grew up knowing he was different. His dyslexia made it difficult for Andrew to learn the same way others did in school. Despite Andrew possessing exceptional abilities in other areas, he was told he had a problem, a disability. Andrew left school frustrated, unfulfilled, without reaching his full potential. 

This could have been a disaster but it turned out to be a blessing. Andrew would work his way up the literal and metaphorical ladder to become Managing Director of Kitall: an engineering firm. Under Andrew's guidance, Kitall is now one of the most sought after names to complete complex engineering projects in the UK. 

Now, Andrew is under no illusion he has a gift. His dyslexia, his neurodiversity, has made him determined, adaptive, and creative. Andrew is on a mission to learn more about neurodiversity. How it can challenge, define, and empower. In The Invisible Gift, Andrew will seek the advice and inspiration of another trailblazer who has defied the odds to achieve the extraordinary - turning their challenge into an invisible gift.