Noteworthy: Read Me Differently

by Melanie Heimburg

Throughout her life, Sylvia is embarrassed by her own disorganization. She struggles through school, dropping out of college when studying becomes too difficult.

Sylvia's granddaughter, Sarah also has difficulty in school, but it's not until Sarah is 29 years old that she learns her own problems stem from dyslexia—and discovers Sylvia's undiagnosed dyslexia and ADD.

As Sarah begins to understand the impact that her learning disorder has had on her self-esteem and development, she begins to understand the mystery and miscommunication in her family caused by undiagnosed learning disabilities.

Sarah explores the strain that misunderstood learning disorders place on family relationships, and she is inspired to produce and direct "Read Me Differently," a documentary highlighting caring yet strained relationships between three generations of women in her own family. A mother, daughter and granddaughter re-examine their assumptions about each other, reaching new insights into their differences.

"It's my hope that the film will spark a dialog for other families going through similar circumstances," says first-time filmmaker Sarah Entine. "'Read Me Differently' is a universal story about missed connections and the desire to be seen and accepted for who we are."

Sarah, who currently lives in Berkeley, recently won the prestigious CINE Golden Eagle Award for "Read Me Differently." She has shown her film at several international conferences including the International Dyslexia Association Conference and the Learning Disability Association of America Conference.

Fun fact: Sarah was a member of the National Honor Society and she graduated from Grinnell College and the Simmons College School of Social work despite her dslexia.

Catch a screening of the award-winning documentary at the Superfest International Disability Film Festival in Berkeley, June 17-19, 2011. See the film festival schedule at CultureDisabilityTalent.org. For more information about "Read Me Differently," a must-see for families, counselors, teachers and caregivers, head to ReadMeDifferently.com.