Canadian with dyslexia writes book for children with learning disabilities

From The Journal Pioneer in Canada:

SUMMERSIDE, Prince Edward Island – To be a published author is an accomplishment in itself.

To write a novel after being diagnosed with dyslexia at age 22 is arguably an even greater achievement.

But that’s exactly what Summerside native Keefe Deighan has done with his first book, “The Land of O.”

“It’s a story of hope, perseverance and overcoming the odds. It’s aimed at anybody struggling academically,” Deighan said.

“The book says just because you have this learning disability, it doesn’t mean you’re less than anybody else.”

“The Land of O” is the story of a mysterious man named John Tick who helps a young girl named Emily find her path home after she becomes lost in a mystical land.

Since his diagnosis, Deighan, who’s now 29, has been a beneficiary and advocate of Island literacy programs.

While his book is targeted toward children with learning disabilities, Deighan said teenagers and adults would find meaning in the book, just as he was inspired when he learned how to read the children’s books of his youth.

“The Land of O” was conceptualized five years ago with the help of his long-time friend and writer Steven Tomlinson. It wasn’t until Christmas of 2007 when Deighan bounced the idea for the book off his parents, Gertrude and Mike Trainor and sister Angela Deighan.

“I sat down and wrote a chapter and the thing just wrote itself,” he said. “I actually didn’t write the ending until a year after the rest of the book was finished. If it wasn’t for certain friends and family encouraging me, I probably would never have finished. You just don’t think it’s going to go anywhere.”

Deighan admits he was going through a dark time in his life when he first had the idea for the book. Depressed and struggling to hold onto jobs, he said each stage of “The Land of O” mirrored his own life.

“If you asked me to sit down and write this book now, I wouldn’t be able to write the same story. It was written at such a dark time of personal turmoil,” Deighan said. “Sometimes in your darkest moments springs this colourful, luminating experience. Everything’s come full circle now.”

The book was picked up by an independent American publisher, allowing it to be distributed to major bookstores like Chapters, Indigo and Barnes and Noble throughout the U.S. and Canada.

But Deighan said a wide distribution isn’t for profit, it’s to spread the book’s message as widely as possible.

“I have a full-time job and I have no inkling of leaving that to become a full-time writer. The book needed to be written and it has a strong message of hope,” he said.
“It doesn’t really matter what age you are, I hope you’re inspired to get out and tackle the world. I want people to think, ‘If someone who’s dyslexic and terrible at school can write a book, maybe I can be successful too.’”