In a powerful speech at the 2010 Cosla/IS conference, which carried the theme, 'Corrective Medicine is more Expensive than Preventative Medicine', Sir Jackie spoke honestly and openly about the challenges he has faced through life.
Now 70 years of age, he never received help for his problem until he was in his 40s. By then, he was a global superstar but stressed that he achieved everything by "thinking outside of the box". He added: "I was branded thick, dumb and stupid at school. In those days, nobody spoke about learning problems."
While extolling the merits of the modern Scottish teacher training system, which ensures all new graduates possess skills to identify learning problems early, Sir Jackie, who is currently working with prisoners in a dyslexia programme, warned that financial support for this area should never be downsized, even in the toughest economic period.
"We are the only country in the world where every person attending teacher training college will be armed with the knowledge to notice which pupils have learning problems," he said
"I plead with you, in these tough financial times, not to make significant education cuts. If we do so, it could threaten the future prosperity of Scotland," he said. "Education is the biggest priority of all."
