Red letter day is part of dyslexia empowerment week, where children with the condition are encouraged to write to someone who could help raise awareness and support of people with dyslexia.
Seven-year-old Tilly Whiting decided the Prime Minister would be her man of influence, so she wrote him a letter.
The Faulconbridge Public School student never imagined she’d received a personal response, but that’s exactly what happened.
“Dear Tilly,” Malcolm Turnbull wrote. “Thank you for your letter. I am so very glad you took the time and effort to write to me to help me understand dyslexia.
“I am very pleased that you are working on your reading and writing, even when it’s so hard for you. It’s great that you are good at drawing too.
I am very pleased that you are working on your reading and writing, even when it’s so hard.
- Malcolm Turnbull
“I think you are brave and talented… Keep going with your learning.
“Yours sincerely, Malcolm Turnbull.”
Asked her reaction to the letter, Tilly said: “I was really happy.”
She took it to show classmates, the first ever prime ministerial letter brought along, said principal Peter Earl (pictured with Tilly).
Dyslexia is a learning disorder that primarily affects a person’s reading, spelling and writing skills. It’s a neurological condition and can’t be “cured” but with special attention, its challenges can be overcome.
Tilly’s mum, Tracey, said her daughter had severe dyslexia but was working hard with a specialist tutor. And she had the benefit of a wonderful teacher at Faulconbridge Public.
“Luke Brandjes helps keep her anxiety levels down,” Mrs Whiting said. He had also taken it upon himself to learn methods of working with children with dyslexia.
“Between her teacher and her tutor, we have made sure there’s lots of support for her so she can learn in the way she needs to,” she said.
