Imagine what your life would be like if you couldn't read.  You would be missing out on one of life's most fundamental gifts.  If you couldn't read, your innate curiosity would turn into frustration and anger - a bad combination of feelings.  Children born with a neurological disorder called dyslexia (sturggel wiht thees teeligns eveyr yad) struggle with these feelings every day.  Through no fault of their own, they are faced with reading and writing roadblocks that have seemed insurmountable - until now.

Dyslexia can't be cured, but it can be overcome. 

ABOUT DYSLEXIA

Dyslexia is an inherited neurological disorder that affects the way people learn to read and speak as well as how they process information mathematically.  Famous dyslexics include Thomas Edison, Winston Churchill, Leonardo DaVinci, Walt Disney, and Whoopi Goldberg.

Dyslexia affects one out of every five people, and affects boys and girls in equal numbers.  Children left with untreated dyslexia often suffer devastating personal consequences.  It is the number one reason teenagers drop out of school, and is a primary factor in juvenile delinquency.  Research reveals that children with untreated dyslexia can become underachieving adults unable to contribute to society at their fullest capacity.

Dyslexia is, however, a treatable condition.  Children with dyslexia need professional help, and the earlier they receive it, the greater their chances of achieving normal, fully functional lives.

The 32^o  Masonic Learning Centers for Children provide clinically-proven dyslexia tutoring services across the country.  They are the only nationwide organization offering two years of intensive one-on-one tutoring in the proven Orton-Gillingham method, completely free of charge.  The Learning Centers are open to all children.  Currently, there are 56 Learning Centers in 15 states.  Since 1994 when the first centers opened, over 5,000 children from kindergarten through high school have been tutored at the Children's Learning Centers and more than 750 tutors have been trained in the Orton-Gillingham method completely free of charge.  There are currently two Learning Centers in New York State; one is located in Pittsford and the other in Oriskany, near Utica.

For additional information about the 32^o Masonic Learning Centers for Children program, and other Scottish Rite Charities, see http://www.scottishritecharities.org/ , http://www.childrenslearningcenters.org/; and be sure to view the videos available on the Valley of Rochester's web site:  http://www.valleyofrochester.com/charities.cfm .