Tom Cruise’s struggles with dyslexia and how he overcame it! Know about his ‘Study Technology’ and organization ‘H.E.L.P’’

Updated On March 18, 2024 | Published By: shahid | In Career , Health , Wellness

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Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a learning disability. This is a problem that affects a person’s learning ability, especially in childhood. In this, the person has low skills in accuracy and fluency of words in reading and spelling. The person is otherwise normal.

Source: Radaronline (Tom Cruise with mother) — Source: RadarOnline (Tom Cruise with mother)

This could be of different severity and types. Some have difficulty in spelling, some in reading fluently, some are unable to understand what they read, and some in writing words.

It is a disorder of development and is picked up during school time when a person is subjected to learning in a classroom.

Many of the celebrities also suffered from this disorder in their childhood. American actor, director, writer, and producer Tom Cruise is a glaring example of a celebrity who was dyslexic in his childhood.

But it was his hard work, dedication, the constant support of his mother and three sisters, and Study technologies that helped Tom Cruise to overcome his learning disability and reach the great heights that he has achieved now.

Tom Cruise’s childhood days

Tom Cruise’s mother was a special education teacher. He had a poor and humble upbringing. He was in grade 2 when his family realized that Tom was struggling with his studies.

Recalling those days, Tom had said:

“When I was about 7 years old, I had been labeled dyslexic. I’d try to concentrate on what I was reading, then I’d get to the end of the page and have very little memory of anything I’d read. I would go blank, feel anxious, nervous, bored, frustrated, dumb. I would get angry. My legs would actually hurt when I was studying. My head ached. All through school and well into my career, I felt like I had a secret. When I’d go to a new school, I wouldn’t want the other kids to know about my learning disability, but then I’d be sent off to remedial reading.”

Source: Slideshare (Tom Cruise and his dyslexia)

He had also said:

“My childhood was extremely lonely. I was dyslexic and lots of kids make fun of me. That experience made me tough inside, because you learn to quietly accept ridicule.”

He used to make his family laugh during his early days with his ad-lib skits and imitations. He also starred in the high school production of Guys and Dolls. His mother saw the potential of an actor in him and advised him to never give up. He completed his school in 1980 but felt that he was still ‘functionally illiterate’.

He adopted L. Ron Hubbard’s learning method of ‘Study Technology’ and this aided him a lot in relearning. He had said:

“I had to train myself to focus my attention. I became very visual and learned how to create mental images in order to comprehend what I read. ”

He also said:

“I love what I do. I take great pride in what I do. And I can’t do something halfway, three-quarters, nine-tenths. If I’m going to do something, I go all the way”

Tom Cruise’s career

Tom Cruise ultimately learned to overcome his handicap and became a successful actor. Rather than reading the script during his audition, Tom would discuss it with the director and producer about the role and then give the audition. He earned a small role in ‘Endless Love’ and ‘Taps’ (both in 1981).

Source: Slash Film (Tom Cruise in Top Gun film)

He also bagged a role in 1983’s ‘Risky Business’ and other movies. He got his big break with the character of a pilot in his 1986’s ‘Top Gun’. Then came the film ‘The Color of Money’, ‘Rain Man’, and ‘Born on the Fourth of July’. He earned awards for his acting in ‘Rain Man’ and ‘Born on the Fourth of July’. He gave several hit movies with critically acclaimed roles.

In 1997, he founded the Hollywood Education and Literacy Project (H.E.L.P.) which tries to make Study Technology reach millions of people worldwide. He said:

“I don’t want people to go through what I went through. I want kids to have the ability to read, to write, to understand what people are saying to them, to be able to solve life’s problems.”

Also read Tom Cruise’s daughter Bella Cruise launches her fashion line with inspiration from her mother, Tiger King, and the coronavirus!

Short Bio on Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise is an award-winning American actor and filmmaker best known for his acting in “Mission Impossible” Series.

Tom Cruise has acted in all Mission Impossible (MI) Movies from 1 to 6. Tom Cruise acts as “Ethan Hunt” in the MI Series. More Bio…

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