Elgin, IL (PRWEB) August 10, 2015 -- Latino film director Luis Macias learned in 2011 that his eight year old son Alejandro was dyslexic. Even though Alejandro was diagnosed relatively early, it came after he was held back in first grade due to his poor reading skills and after countless homework battles, self-esteem issues and continuously being told that he was not trying hard enough.
After this heartbreaking experience Macias decided that it was important for the world to learn more about this most common, but misunderstood, learning disability so he created and directed the documentary Embracing Dyslexia in English, and a new Spanish version of the film in an effort to reach Hispanics in their native language.
“This film is my chance to make things right. I can’t take back the decision to hold my son back in first grade, something that will always be a terrible memory for him. I can’t take back the many times I accused him of being lazy and not trying hard enough,” explained Macias, director and producer of Embracing Dyslexia. “This is my way of trying to prevent other children and their families from having to go through what we did. Schools need to acknowledge that dyslexia is real; they need to understand what it is and not be afraid of the word; and they need to know what can be done to help these children. With this information they can work with parents and together make a tremendous impact on a dyslexic child’s life.”
A special screening of the Spanish version of the Embracing Dyslexia documentary, followed by a Q&A session with Macias, will be held at St. Augustine College Charlie Chaplin Auditorium, 1345 W Argyle St, Chicago, IL on Thursday, August 13, 2015 from 7pm-8:30pm. There is no cost to attend this event.
The film will also be available online at no cost after the special screening in both English and Spanish at embracingdyslexia.com. To purchase a DVD copy of this film to share at a church, school, community or other type of group function please click here.
About Dyslexia
It is estimated that 15 to 20 percent of the world’s population is dyslexic, but most people are never identified or diagnosed. For those who are identified, most are not given the appropriate remediation. According to the National Institutes of Health, dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin. Individuals with dyslexia struggle with reading, writing, spelling and often with math despite having at least an average intelligence. Children that have this learning disability are very bright but are often thought of as lazy and noncompliant which often leads to frustration for the child because no one understands that they have dyslexia or even think of it as a possibility. For those who are diagnosed it often happens after years of struggling in school and after self-esteem has begun to tumble. For being the most common learning disability, dyslexia is grossly misunderstood in the one environment where it can least afford to be – the schools.
About St. Augustine College
Founded in 1980, St. Augustine College is an independent college, with four educational centers in the Chicago area and one in Aurora. It is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. It offers academic programs that include a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and a wide range of Associate Degrees that prepare students for successful employment or the ability to transfer to a four year university to complete a Bachelor’s Degree. Learn more about St. Augustine College at 773-878-8756 or staugustine.edu.
For Media Interviews & Supporting Materials:
Contact: Luis Macias, Creator, Director of Embracing Dyslexia
or Marissa Yelenosky, Publicist
phone: 847-612-9748
email: info(at)embracingdyslexiamovie(dot)com
website: http://www.embracingdyslexia.com
electronic press kit: http://www.embracingdyslexia.com/resources
Luis Macias, Embracing Dyslexia, http://www.embracingdyslexia.com, +1 847-612-9748, [email protected]
SOURCE Embracing Dyslexia
Share this article