Happy Days' Henry 'The Fonz' Winkler On Battling With Dyslexia And His Latest British Tour

Henry Winkler Dyslexia

First Posted: 11/10/2011 16:32 Updated: 27/07/2012 10:01

Henry Winkler, known to many as 'The Fonz' from sitcom Happy Days, is packing his suitcase to embark on his fourth tour of the UK to raise awareness of dyslexia.

The actor has been writing books about the learning disability since 2003, after collaborating with his partner Lin Oliver to create the character Hank Zipzer - a young dyslexic boy who struggles at school. Winkler has published 17 books in total about the boy he calls "the world's greatest underachiever".

Three years ago Winkler joined forces with First News, a weekly newspaper aimed at young children, on a reading tour of schools in Britain and hasn't looked back since.

In an interview with the Huffington Post UK, Winkler explained how his own difficulties as a child at school inspired him to help other children who struggled with the disability.

"Everyone used to always tell me I would never amount to anything. As a child, I found school incredibly difficult. I just didn't understand why the information wouldn't stay in my head. The only thing I was good at was lunch.

"I had real trouble spelling. In fact, I still do", he admits.

Winkler, who was awarded an OBE in September for his work with dyslexic children, is now a figurehead for the My Way campaign, which he co-ordinates with Nicky Cox, the editor of First News.

"We want to give a voice to children who are made fun of because they learn differently to others. So many of the children we visit and talk to are just, well, perplexed", Winkler explains.

"They sit down at home, they learn the words. But then they walk to school and the words fall out on the sidewalk, or as they climb the stairs. The children sit down at their desks to do a test and they just think 'Oh my, I can't remember.' The words have left the building."

"But", he hastens to add, "it's not just dyslexic children we approach. We talk to their classmates, so they understand about dyslexia and why their friend learns differently. And we talk to teachers and suggest ways of dealing with dyslexia."

Winkler described his anguish when he realised that "no-one celebrates the bottom third of children who are allergic to school". His ultimate aim of the campaign therefore, is to make those children feel "fantastic".

"Self-image is the beginning and end of everything", he concludes. "All children have a gift inside them. For some it's just harder to dig that gift out."

According to Winkler, his team have reached 14 million children through the media and touring schools, and show no signs of stopping.

"From the minute I land in the UK to the minute I take off I do nothing but go to schools and go on air to spread the word about dyslexia.'

And does Winkler have any last words of advice?

"The most important thing I can say is no matter how hard it is for you to learn, it does not affect how brilliant you are."

SEE ALSO:

Henry Winkler, Porn Star

Henry Winkler will be in the UK from 15 October, promoting the My Way! campaign in conjunction with First News and uDraw Game Tablet, who helped fund the tour.

For the first time he will also be hosting a talk followed by a question and answer event at the Unicorn Theatre on Sunday 16 October. You can purchase tickets directly from their website.

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Henry Winkler, known to many as 'The Fonz' from sitcom Happy Days, is packing his suitcase to embark on his fourth tour of the UK to raise awareness of dyslexia. The actor has been writing books ab...
Henry Winkler, known to many as 'The Fonz' from sitcom Happy Days, is packing his suitcase to embark on his fourth tour of the UK to raise awareness of dyslexia. The actor has been writing books ab...
 
 
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Preraphaelite
Dr Who fan.
12:04 on 12/10/2011
Well done Henry.
Now we need someone to do the same for Dyscalculia.
I was not stupid at school I just couldn't understand numbers.I learnt to tell the time at age 13.It was very embarrassing and I had to think up all kinds of excuses why I could'nt tell people what time it was.I even feigned bad eyesight.
I still got good O level results, did my A levels and studied education at college but my inability to deal with numbers has always been a burden and now I see my daughter suffering in a similar way.
If only a famous person would come out and admit their Dyscalculia we would perhaps get a bit more sympathy.
00:17 on 13/10/2011
Amen! I have only met one other person with dyscalculia! I am also mildly dyslexic. If I double a recipe, I have to get my son to check my math - which was really embarrassing when he was 6 and 7! This is way under-diagnosed in the U.S., and apparently in the U.K. as well. Teachers would rather believe we just aren't bright enough to do the work.
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HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Lawyer13
retired Lawyer, General and Psychiatric Nurse, wit
06:48 on 12/10/2011
Nice to read an article with good news for a change, I have suffered with mild dyslexia since I was at school in late 1940's. Henry is doing a great job and the well deserved OBE he was given last month.
19:16 on 11/10/2011
Seen him on tv a couple of times recently, he's certainly drawn attention to the problem, well done to him and I'm sure he'll keep up the good work.