East-central Illinois Rotarians present 'Journey into Dyslexia'

[January 04, 2013]  BLOOMINGTON -- A literacy project that will involve Rotarians in clubs throughout east-central Illinois will be launched with a free viewing of the HBO documentary "Journey into Dyslexia" from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Jan.10 in the Bloomington Public Library Community Room, 205 E. Olive St. The event is free and open to the public.

Gordon Bidner, Rotary District 6490 governor, and his wife, Sandra, of rural Carlock, will host the event, arranged through the five Bloomington-Normal Rotary clubs. Future showings of the documentary will be possible throughout east-central Illinois.

The documentary profiles students and adults with dyslexia -- difficulty with language skills, especially reading and spelling -- who share their experiences of struggling in school and then succeeding in life.

Academy Award-winning filmmakers Alan and Susan Raymond use the film to examine the complexities of these differently structured brains and to debunk myths and misperceptions about dyslexia.

Among the adults with dyslexia featured in this film are consumer advocate Erin Brockovich; Ben Foss, inventor of the Intel Reader; Steve Walker, New England Pellet founder and CEO; and Dr. Carol Greider, 2009 Nobel Laureate in physiology and medicine.

Following the movie, Ann Champion, director of The Language Connection in Bloomington, will lead a discussion from 8 to 8:30 p.m. at the front of the auditorium and answer questions about dyslexia.

The documentary and the discussion will be of special interest to parents, teachers, adults with dyslexia and employers and is open to the general public.

This free showing of "Journey into Dyslexia" is made possible through the joint efforts of area Rotarians and Rotary District 6490, with additional help from the Bloomington Public Library.

For further information about the movie, contact Marilyn Kay, at [e-mail] or 217-367-0398.

[Text from file received]