Ref. 30039-09A former Swindon DJ who has faced a lifelong struggle with dyslexia is celebrating after publishing an article in a surfing magazine.

Bev Hawes, 54, of Winlaw Close, Shaw, achieved his dream and what just a few months ago would have been an impossibility when he saw his thoughts in print.

The shop manager, who used to make music at the Brunel Rooms, was picked to star in a reality TV show, The Test.

They challenged him to achieve his dream of writing a surfing film review.

But first of all, they sent him on the BrightStar programme to help him overcome his difficulties with reading, writing and spelling.

Bev said: "People with dyslexia are made to feel stupid and inferior throughout most of their lives.

"I remember when I left school the careers advisor said I'd be lucky if I got a job sweeping factory floors.

"That sort of comment does your self confidence no good at all. But having dyslexia somehow makes you more determined. Just look at Winston Churchill, Einstein and Richard Branson. I want people to know that they can still achieve great things even with dyslexia."

The BrightStar computer program uses visual stimuli to aid communication between various areas of the brain.

Bev has made dramatic advances in his spelling and writing. He said: "I used to have the spelling and writing skills of a seven-year-old but the difference is amazing. My skills have improved so much.

"It is so frustrating having all these thoughts and ideas but not being able to express them properly.

"I held back tears when I saw my article in print. It was one of the best feelings of my life. There is no way I could have done this without the teachers helping me face my fear of writing."

During 20-minute technology sessions, the client wears a heart rate monitor and computer software converts their heartbeats into a display of moving, flashing icons. Watching this display stimulates the brain to work more efficiently. Since the visual stimuli are driven by a person's heart cycle, the programme is tailored to each person.

These technology sessions are complemented by personalised, weekly teaching sessions.

Under clinical trials of the BrightStar Programme, child dyslexics aged 8 to 15 showed an 11-month advance in reading accuracy and a 20-month advance in word recognition within a six-week period.

One in 10 people suffer from dyslexia in the UK.

Or visit www.brightstarlearning .com for more details about the programme

Alex Emery