The well-known actor Henry Winkler battled dyslexia all of his life. His parents punished him severely, and he was often made fun of and called names, which had a negative impact on his self-esteem.
He had no idea that there was a cause for his difficulties. Later in life, Winkler made use of his illness to motivate people, particularly young people going through comparable struggles.
Winkler had a difficult time getting to where she is now. Even with his diligence and commitment, he ran into many problems. His parents held a great regard for education and had high standards for him. However, they thought he was not reaching his full potential and frequently called him stupid and lazy. But Winkler knew he was doing the best he could.
Winkler struggled so much in school that he was not only disciplined but also kept from taking part in school events. For the majority of his high school career, he was expected to overcome his “laziness” by spending weeks at a time at his desk. But his problems continued.
Winkler did not allow his dyslexia to stop him in the face of these obstacles. Even after earning a Master of Fine Arts from Yale University, he continued to have trouble reading scripts. His coping technique became improvisation; he would frequently commit the remaining portions of the script to memory. Despite several stumbles during table reads for his well-known part as “Fonzie” in Happy Days, his extraordinary talent and commitment were evident.
Winkler never gave his own dyslexic issues much thought until his stepson’s learning disability was discovered through testing. He was thirty-one when he finally identified the cause of his problems. He said, “I didn’t read a book until I was 31 years old when I was diagnosed with dyslexia,” as he thought back on this revelation. I was afraid of books. I felt uneasy with them.
From annoyance to motivation
When Winkler realized what was causing his reading difficulties, his first reaction was rage. He was angry since it now seemed pointless that he had argued with his parents and received punishment. He chose to utilize his diagnosis as motivation for others, especially kids, and managed to transform his fury into a constructive energy. In a series of children’s books, he created the dyslexic Hank, a pupil in elementary school.
For many kids who struggle with their education, the Hank Zipzer series has struck a chord. Winkler consistently emphasizes, “Your learning challenge will not stop you from meeting your dreams,” in his personal responses to emails from his young readers. The only person who can stop you from realizing your aspirations is you.
Even though Winkler continues to struggle with his own schooling, he has accomplished amazing things. In addition to writing multiple books and receiving multiple honors for his work in Hollywood, he is scheduled to publish his memoir in 2024. Despite all, he maintains his modesty and says that writing novels is his greatest accomplishment, second only to his family.
Henry Winkler’s amazing story began when he was a little child and ended when he realized he had dyslexia and overcame it. His tenacity and fortitude are an inspiration to those going through comparable difficulties. He has demonstrated that it is possible to overcome any challenge and have a positive impact on the world if one has self-belief and perseverance.
Sir Elton John, 76, raises his two sons not to be spoiled as they already do chores for some pocket money
David Furnish, Sir Elton John’s spouse, and they have been together for more than 20 years. The couple is also raising their two boys, Zackary and Elijah, to be modest and aware of the worth of money.
Famed artist Sir Elton John has released thirty-two albums to far and shows no signs of slowing down. Even at seventy-three, the vocalist continues to be in high demand.
David Furnish and Sir Elton John in London in 2001 | Photo courtesy of Getty Images
Despite having a successful career for more than thirty years, the musician wants to concentrate on other areas of his life, such as his marriage to David Furnish and his two sons, Zachary and Elijah.
A brief romance blossomed between John and Furnish in 1993, before their lives got consumed with parenting their sons. The singer of “Sacrifice” announced that he had moved back into his Windsor home and was looking to socialize.
John then requested a friend to invite Furnish and other individuals to dinner, saying he felt an immediate connection with Furnish. John admired how well-groomed and reserved he was.
After going on a date the next day, the two’s long-term relationship officially started. After nine years of being in a civil partnership, they made the decision to tie the knot in 2014.
The pair used Instagram to send out invites. The highlight of the day was spending time with their sons, who had the important duty of serving as ring carriers.
Furnish and John found great joy in sharing their partnership with their children, particularly considering the difficult road they had to go to become parents. It all began in 2009 when they were acquainted at an HIV orphanage with a young boy from Ukraine named Lev.
Lev came from a shattered family, so the couple wanted to help him, but the government wouldn’t let it because he was too old. Still, the couple assisted Lev and spoke with him.
John came to the realization that he may be a father after meeting Lev. He acknowledged that he had always believed he was too old to have children. Zachary, their first son, was born in 2010 through a surrogate, and Elijah followed in 2013.
Bringing Up Children Outside of the Media
The couple desired to be actively involved with their children while leading a hectic lifestyle. “We don’t want to entrust housekeepers and nannies with raising our kids,” Furnish stated. The couple decided that having boys was the best course of action, and now their primary objective is to raise their sons in a happy and healthy environment.
John expressed to his sons in a touching letter how much they had altered his life. “You two are the best gifts I have ever received, Zachary and Elijah. In ways I never imagined imaginable, you have given my life meaning and purpose and filled my heart with love,” the singer added.
Furnish and John are content with the lovely family they have created. The love and support their children will always have from their parents is something they do not want them to forget as they grow older.
John talked candidly about how becoming a parent has altered his outlook on life and some of the values he and his spouse want their kids to grow up with.
John talked about how having children affected his attitude toward money. Having two children of his own now, he values his time with Zachary and Elijah more than a popular song or artwork.
The singer acknowledged that because he and Furnish were used to living as the center of attention, they had spent a lot of money before having children. However, John claimed that since their sons arrived, they had drastically cut back on their spending.
The couple’s current concern is ensuring that they own only what they require. Additionally, the couple has been instilling in their kids the importance of money and the labor required to acquire it.
Although John is aware that his kids have a privileged existence already, he still wishes they had humility. The artist has stated that he does not intend to leave them his whole estate as a result. Rather, he aims to strike a balance between providing his kids with a wonderful life and keeping them grounded. He thought to himself:
Naturally, I would like to leave my boys in a very secure financial situation. But giving children a silver spoon is a poor idea. Their lives is ruined by it.
John has attempted to instill in the boys an appreciation for money since they were young children. Zachary and Elijah may not have realized how well-known their parents were at the age of five and three, but John and Furnish did teach them a valuable lesson about budgeting.
The singer said in 2016 that doing chores around the house, such the kitchen or garden, would earn them £3 ($3.74) in pocket money. Each coin would then be divided between savings, spending, and charity. As they grew older, their responsibilities included tidying their rooms, and they received stars for each task completed.
Although the couple is aware that their children would not have a typical childhood, they nevertheless make an effort to give their lives some degree of normalcy. According to John, his children are “not stuck behind the gates of a mansion,” but rather live like locals.
When questioned if he was afraid of having his kids in the spotlight, he replied that he knew there would be drawbacks but that he didn’t mind at all because he thought people were “brilliant” and “not hostile,” especially when they wanted to see pictures of him and his family.
The musician and his spouse would take their kids to the movies or out for pizza because they want them to spend quality time with their family somewhere else than their mansion.
Because of his celebrity, John does not want to miss out on special times with his kids. The musician is also prompt in picking up and dropping off his youngsters at school.
Elton John Flaunts His Offspring
The “Rocket Man” singer posted a unique picture of Furnish, their sons, and their godmother, Lady Gaga, on social media, while John and his spouse typically don’t post any pictures of their sons online. The musician conveyed his love despite expressing his regret at missing the opportunity to picture with them.
On Elton John’s page, leave a remark | Source: Instagram/eltonjohn
Fans expressed disbelief at Zachary and Elijah’s growth in the comment section. “However, the boys are growing quite tall.” Very attractive tiny fellas, a commenter commented. Another admirer exclaimed, “Look at these gorgeous boys and their pappa and Godma!”
John expressed to his sons in a touching letter how much they had altered his life. “You two are the best gifts I have ever received, Zachary and Elijah. In ways I never imagined imaginable, you have given my life meaning and purpose and filled my heart with love,” the singer added.
Furnish and John are content with the lovely family they have created. The love and support their children will always have from their parents is something they do not want them to forget as they grow older.
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