The North Cross School program for children with language-based learning challenges, “CrossWalk,” took a field trip last week to meet someone who has taken the challenge of dyslexia head on – and succeeded. Well-known painter Eric Fitzpatrick, routinely voted the Best Artist by Roanoker Magazine, didn’t find out until he was in his thirties that he was dyslexic.
All Fitzpatrick knew while growing up was that he wasn’t very good at certain things, like reading or math. Couldn’t remember names, only faces in many cases. He compensated in part by being very organized – and by becoming an artist.
The CrossWalk program, for North Cross students in grades K-5, provides some specialized instruction for children dealing with conditions like dyslexia and dysgraphia (where students may have trouble writing as opposed to difficulties with reading), conditions which make reading and other forms of learning difficult at times.
CrossWalk students ventured to Fitzpatrick’s South Roanoke studio where they painted a mural using only their gloved hands. They also heard the artist talk about how he has become successful despite the learning challenges he faced.
Kit Prillamon is director of the CrossWalk program at North Cross. She said CrossWalk is designed for “bright kids” that need different learning approaches. After grade 5 the program also provides support for older students at North Cross dealing with dyslexia and similar issues.
Another teacher at North Cross heard that Fitzpatrick had been telling people how he was dyslexic, and how “he used strategies in day-to-day living to really be successful with his art.” Prillamon thought hearing how he had overcome those struggles might be a confidence builder for her young students. “One of our objectives at North Cross…is to teach them self-awareness and to protect their self-esteem.”
Since CrossWalk students are mainstreamed with other classes most of the day building that self-confidence level is crucial. (North Cross will, however, be turning part of its library into learning spaces specifically for CrossWalk this summer.)
“Instead of giving up he persevered,” said Prillamon of Fitzpatrick, “and became very successful. That’s what we want our kids to hear. That there are great opportunities and they have some wonderful strengths.”
Fitzpatrick did his best to keep the young students from making his studio too much of a mess – asking them to wipe off the bottom of paint covered shoes so it didn’t track all over his floor. He also showed them how to clean up. North Cross had advised parents to have their children wear old clothing – it didn’t appear as if that acrylic paint would be coming out of clothing anytime soon.
“All of us have different methods of learning,” said Fitzpatrick, noting his was “sort of slow” while growing up. “It was just that my learning method was different. I just want them to know that they’re as intelligent as everyone else – and with organization and some other skills they can get around [their learning challenges]. They’re going to be alright.”
It wasn’t until someone diagnosed his symptoms well into adulthood that Fitzpatrick realized he had been battling dyslexia – successfully – his entire life. Fitzpatrick had to work “harder than everyone else,” and being very organized helped. Even in his studio, where clutter appears to be the norm, everything has its place and is labeled, he noted.
“You can still do it – it just might be a little harder for you,” was his message. “All of these kids are so bright…it’s going to be alright. The whole dyslexia thing has been a gift in disguise.”
By Gene Marrano
