The Dyslexic Inventor, the Power of Difference, and a Dyslexic Bottle of Wine with Jim Rokos

In this episode of The Invisible Gift, Andrew talks with the multi-award winning inventor, and artist, Jim Rokos. Andrew and Jim have a fascinating conversation. Jim talks about his experiences in school, his first invention, how dyslexia has informed and defined his work, and they speak on the merits and strengths of neurodiversities in society at large. The boys also enjoy a ‘dyslexic’ bottle of wine. Special thanks to Ruth Ward for permitting use of her photography.  Top Quotes“It’s a dyslexic thing to think around problems and find solutions.” - Jim Rokos“Having failed so much through school, there’s a willingness to fail and take risks." - Jim Rokos“I think all neuro- diversities are advantageous. Within a community, it’s useful to have people who think in different ways.” - Jim Rokos“The brain architecture of a dyslexic is more tangled. Which is how they can come up with more unusual ideas.” - Jim RokosAbout The GuestJim Rokos is a multi-award winning artist and inventor based in London. Jim learned he had dyslexia at age 9, and has since spread the message of neurodiverse positivity through his art. Originally training as a model maker, Jim worked on a number of major television and film projects such as The Muppets Treasure Island, Tomb Raider, Band of Brothers and others. His patented cat-food bowl won BBC’s Tomorrow’s World's Best Inventions pilot in 2001. Rokos won the prestigious 2012 Reddot Design award for the 13° 60° 104° Wine Decanter and the Enterprise Europe Network Award 2014 for the Gauge vase. In 2016, Jim curated the first ever Dyslexic Design exhibition in London. The show challenged perceptions of dyslexia by accentuating the positive effects of unique perspectives in art and design. The show was a silver winner in London’s design awards.Resourceshttp://www.jimrokos.com/https://www.kitall.co.uk/https://www.ruthward.com/https://www.onefineplay.com/ About The HostThe Invisible Gift is hosted by entrepreneur and dyslexic, Andrew Kitley. With twenty years experience, Andrew Kitley has worked his way up the metaphorical and literal ladder to become Managing Director of Kitall: an engineering firm. Under Andrew's guidance, Kitall is now one of the most sought after names to complete complex engineering projects in the UK. In each episode of The Invisible Gift, Andrew seeks the advice & inspiration of a fellow trailblazer who has defied the odds to achieve the extraordinary - turning the challenge of dyslexia into a gift.

Om Podcasten

Welcome to The Invisible Gift, the show all about turning the Neurodiversity into possibility. Andrew Kitley grew up knowing he was different. His dyslexia and ADHD made it difficult for Andrew to learn the same way others did in school. Despite Andrew possessing exceptional abilities in other areas, he was told he had a problem, a disability. Andrew left school frustrated, unfulfilled, without reaching his full potential. This could have been a disaster but it turned out to be a blessing. Andrew would work his way up the literal and metaphorical ladder to become Managing Director of Kitall: a structural engineering firm. Under Andrew's guidance, Kitall is now one of the most sought after names to complete complex engineering projects in the UK. Now, Andrew is under no illusion he has a gift. His dyslexia, his neurodiversity, has made him determined, adaptive, and creative. Andrew is on a mission to learn more about neurodiversity. How it can challenge, define, and empower. In The Invisible Gift, Andrew will seek the advice and inspiration of another trailblazer who has defied the odds to achieve the extraordinary - turning their challenge into an invisible gift.