We admire James Van Der Beek for many reasons: his talent as a writer, actor, and producer, his permanent place in our heart as Dawson, and, now, for his advocacy in the dyslexic community.

 

The dyslexic actor imparted words of wisdom to his younger self as a part of Child Mind Institute's #MyYoungerSelf campaign

 

The former Don't Trust the B star and others, including dyslexic athletes and businesspeople, are speaking out to end the stigma around dyslexia. It's a reading disorder that affects 10 percent of the population, and James shows how rather than dyslexia holding him back, it's been a driving force in his career.

 

The father-of-four (number five is on the way!) said in a touching video,"You'd think that words wouldn't really be my thing and yet, they are.

 

 

A post shared by James Van Der Beek (@vanderjames) on

 

"I have committed an entire career to writing them, to reading them out loud in front of people to memorising them and reciting them back in front of many other people and if I could say one thing to my younger self, it would be: have fun with it.

 

"You know you aren't stupid so don't ever believe for a second that you are."

 

The 41-year-old described how dyslexia means he has to do 'parkour for [his] brain', and that this mental activity is actually advantageous for creativity.

 

"All of that work that you are going to have to do, all of that mental gymnastics that you are going to have to do to make the connections that other people seem to make effortlessly, that's going to wake up other parts of your brain that are going to allow you to have ideas that are going to seem crazy to other people.

 

 

"Those ideas are going to be what sets you apart. There's a reason why a lot of other really creative people are dyslexic," he observed.

 

Giving hope to dyslexic children everywhere, he said, "That little glitch in your brain is actually your best friend."

 

James also shared advice for how to deal with any mistakes made related to dyslexia. He said simply, "Laugh, because that's what's going to set you apart, and you're going to be grateful for it. I guarantee it."

 

We love how he takes dyslexia, which is sometimes seen as disadvantageous, and makes it the key to his success. We're sure James' story is inspiring the next generation of people with dyslexia.

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