Did you know that many successful and famous people grew up with learning disabilities (LD) and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? These are just a few:

Ann E. Bancroft
Explorer, Lecturer, Educator

Harry Belafonte
Singer, Actor, Entertainer

Orlando Bloom
Actor

Richard Branson
Entrepreneur and Founder of Virgin Enterprises

Erin Brockovich Ellis
Environmental Crusader

Charles “Pete” Conrad Jr.
Astronaut

Whoopi Goldberg
Actress

Jewel
Pop Music Artist

Ingvar Kamprad
Swedish Founder and Chairman of IKEA stores

Keira Knightly
Actress

Greg E. Louganis
U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist

Debbie Macomber
Award-winning Author

Edward James Olmos
Actor, Community Activist

Paul Orfalea
Founder of Kinko’s

Ty Pennington
Celebrity Home Designer

Michael Phelps
U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist

Nelson Rockefeller
Vice President United States

Charles Schwab
Founder of Investment/Financial Services Company

Neil Smith
National Football League Star

Henry Winkler
Actor, Producer, Director

 

Sources: 1. A Calendar of Outstanding Dyslexics, IDA Los Angeles 1994-2001; 2. Online posting for The Huffington Post, Aug. 27, 2008.

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