A Bournemouth man has shared his emotional journey after being diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of 50, an experience which he says has changed his life both personally and professionally. Philip Mitton, a Business Portfolio Holder for HSBC, discovered his condition after his daughter received a similar diagnosis, prompting him to undergo his own assessment.
Reflecting on the challenges he faced throughout his life, Mitton described how the diagnosis helped make sense of his struggles, from leaving school with few qualifications to working his way into senior corporate roles, including 15 years in Silicon Valley. “If I look back over my life, I know the signs have been there throughout,” said Mitton. “I left school with very little in the way of GCSEs, while my sister was a straight-A student. That comparison always weighed heavily on me.”
Mitton’s dyslexia went undiagnosed for decades, and it wasn’t until colleagues highlighted issues with his written presentations that he decided to seek professional advice. “I’d been picked up a couple of times about typos, and it left me feeling uncomfortable,” he recalled. “I thought, I need to know one way or another.” After receiving his diagnosis, Mitton worked with Perfect Support, a workplace wellbeing provider, to address his challenges through tailored coaching and practical strategies.
Perfect Support coach Jan Walsh, who specialises in dyslexia and other neurodiverse conditions, helped Mitton implement a range of tools designed to ease his work tasks. These included practical measures such as colour-coding documents, using mind mapping techniques, and enlarging his screen cursor for better navigation. “When I got the diagnosis, I went through a range of emotions,” Mitton admitted. “I was glad to finally pin it down, but I was also angry about all the struggles I’d endured. I went through a period of reflection, feeling emotional about what it meant for me.”
Despite the challenges, Mitton now sees the diagnosis as a turning point, allowing him to embrace his strengths. “I’ve learned to recognise what dyslexia means and how it affects me,” he said. “But I also see the benefits—problem-solving is a superpower that comes with being neurodiverse. I’m good at looking at things differently, and friends often come to me for a fresh perspective. What I lack in written ability, I make up for in creativity and resourcefulness.”
Jan Walsh praised Mitton’s progress, saying, “It was a pleasure to work with Philip and help him gain a better understanding of his dyslexia. Through practical strategies, he now has a clear path for success and recognises the advantages of being neurodiverse.”
Mitton encourages others who may be diagnosed later in life to embrace their dyslexia and understand it’s not a limitation. “Take time to process the diagnosis and seek the support available. Play to your strengths—it’s not the end of the world,” he said.
Looking ahead, Mitton remains optimistic, especially for the younger generation, including his daughter. “For my daughter’s generation, it’s a much better time to receive a diagnosis. There’s more understanding and acceptance, which is encouraging,” he added.
Perfect Support continues to work with organisations to improve workplace understanding of dyslexia, helping to create a more supportive environment for neurodiverse individuals. Visit Perfect Support at: Perfect Support – Improving Workplace Wellbeing (psupport.co.uk)
