Launch of Dyslexic U
Led by Richard Branson, a team of passionate individuals have launched DyslexicU to teach the skills most relevant to today’s world, Dyslexic Thinking skills. (DTS) The courses are for anyone at any stage of life.
Case in point, “Made By Dyslexia” has recently revealed its new Intelligence 5.0 report that clearly demonstrates that today’s AI-driven world needs a new kind of intelligence focused on human skills such as complex problem solving, adaptability, resilience, communication and creative thinking. These are skills dyslexics naturally possess but aren’t measured by traditional education and workplace tests which instead focus on dyslexic challenges which often result in poor marks.
As Branson so rightly claimed in his blog article, “It was time for a new school of thought”. And this is where DyslexicU, hosted by Open University came in to shake things up. The online courses feature many of the world’s greatest dyslexics talking about how DTS have fueled innovation and success while sharing lessons from their experiences and reminders that thinking in a different way is indispensable in the new world of work.
Contributors that joined Richard Branson in NYC for the launch event included incredible dyslexic course contributors including HRH princess Beatrice, Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Jean Oelwang.
Source: virgin.com
Epilepsy Care Transformed
A 13-year-old boy from Somerset, England, has become the first patient in the world to receive a groundbreaking treatment for his severe epilepsy. Oran Knowlson, who has Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a drug-resistant form of epilepsy, was recently fitted with a new neurostimulator device. The device which is implanted in Oran’s skull sends electrical signals to his brain, helping reduce his daytime seizures by 80%.
Before the surgery, Oran suffered daily seizures, sometimes hundreds, which severely impacted his quality of life. Since the procedure, his family has noticed significant improvements. He’s said to be more alert, his seizures are less severe, and his overall quality of life has improved.
The surgery was part of the CADET project, a trial involving Great Ormond Street Hospital and other UK institutions, to assess the safety and effectiveness of deep brain stimulation for epilepsy. The Picostim device, made by Amber Therapeutics, is a breakthrough because it is implanted in the skull rather than the chest, reducing risks like infection.
Oran is now able to enjoy activities like riding lessons, and his family is optimistic that this innovative treatment will continue to improve his condition and offer him a brighter, more independent future.
Source: BBC
Polio’s Final Battle
As the fight to eradicate polio enters its final stages, the stakes have never been higher. While many people today may only know polio as a distant memory, it was once a terrifying disease that ‘crippled’ thousands, especially children. The iron lung, a mechanical respirator, was a grim symbol of the era, saving countless lives by helping paralyzed patients breathe. Its absence in modern hospitals is thanks to one of humanity’s greatest achievements: the polio vaccine.
Since 1988, global efforts have reduced polio cases by over 99%, bringing the disease to the brink of extinction. However, despite the overwhelming progress, wild polio still persists in two countries—Afghanistan and Pakistan. And new outbreaks of vaccine-derived polio threaten under-immunized communities in Africa and Asia.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative continues to innovate,integrating polio vaccinations with broader health efforts and strengthening local health systems. Thousands of workers on the ground, the real “iron will” behind this effort, remain committed to finishing the job. But to truly eliminate polio, sustained support from governments and organizations is still essential.
With the right resources and continued dedication, a world free of polio is within reach according to experts and no child should ever need an iron lung again.
Source: GatesNotes
