Bill Cosby's son, Ennis, was dyslexic. Ennis struggled academically in school and eventually he was diagnosed with dyslexia after attending Morehouse College in 1988. Bill Cosby's television show, "The Cosby Show" was in it's 6th season. Bill decided to make his son on the TV show dyslexic. In 1989 the episode, "Theo's Gift" was aired (see below for this episode). Ennis worked hard in school and aspired to becoming a special education teacher. He was working on his doctorate in 1997 when he was murdered. Later that year Bill and his wife, Camille, founded the "Hello, Friend/Ennis William Cosby Foundation" to assist educating students with learning difficulties. Bill also made sure that a documentary on dyslexia and learning differences was made and "Ennis' Gift" was released in 2000. Below is this 51 minute documentary highlighting many famous people with dyslexia and learning differences: Ed Bradley, Ann Bancroft, Danny Glover, Bruce Jenner, James Earl Jones, and many many more!
Here's the full Cosby Episode - Theo's Gift (don't worry it's in English)
For those of you who don't have time to watch the whole eposide (above) here's just a 2 min. clip (*I don't agree with the seeing backward comment but remember this was the late 1980's we have learned a lot since then):
Let us all continue to keep the spirit of Ennis Cosby alive by spreading the word that dyslexia is real, it exists, and it is a strength not a weakness. Every educator and administrator should should be required to watch this and ALL the other documentaries on Dyslexia. With understanding we can embrace dyslexia.
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