Mike Juggins

Mike Juggins  is a UK painter and film maker who has worked for well over 15 years to raise greater understanding and appreciation of dyslexia and other learning differences. It seems that Mike has been able to embrace and even celebrate  having Dyslexia in a way that others, my self  included might struggle to do.

In a recent blog post I shared some of my own experiences writing.  I don't feel proud of the fact that I have Dyslexia, even though it’s a part of who I am. It doesn’t feel good to have a learning disability, I don’t imagine that any sort of disability feels fun. For me it’s like having a bad tooth that can’t be removed so you try to pretend its not there, you learn to live with it and work around it as best as you can. 

I found Mike's short film Dyslexia, so what is it all about to be right on point when it comes to enlightening people about dyslexia. My feeling was ah ha here is someone who really gets it and that's a nice feeling to have. 

Mike Juggins, Cre8tive Life Lesson: You don't have to let a learning difference hinder your cre8tivity in fact it might just enhance it. 

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Cre8tive Q & A

What first motivated you to be an ambassador for people with dyslexia?
Well that is the first time I have been called ambasador. How kind! I started doing what I thought would help other dyslexics in my twenties. I had worked in care with people with special needs and the gone to art college. Learning about myself through a dyslexia test at 29 and then finding out the 60% of the prison population were dyslexic… made me angry at the injustice of our world based education system. 

How do you deal with the fear and doubt that comes with being creative?
I am lucky I feel blessed to be a natural dyslexic/creative. It has taken a few years but I believe in me artistically… colour - gesture - emotion. With a paint brush in my hand and rainbow eyes what can go wrong - so no doubt and never fear whist video editing just joy.

On your website you mention something about "creating every day," can you tell me more about this?
I started a drawing a day via my face book page - got to late August and visited rural Ireland with no wi-fi so it came to an end. I would love to paint every day but life gets in the way most weeks lol.

Who has been your biggest supporter and why?
My wife - because she is my wife and a wonderful kind and supportive women.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to follow in your creative footsteps?
Regards Dyslexia: To challenge systems you will challenge yourself. Think carefully before taking on a fight you might never be able to win. Make your point but know when to walk. Follow your heart and always be true to yourself.
Regards painting… pure joy - film like wise - stories in pictures and sound - loving the visual - physical world.

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