Target

When the Words Wouldn't Stay Still For most people, reading is a skill learned in childhood. It takes you to far away places where your imagination can soar. For Michael Thompson, however, reading was a challenge. Diagnosed with dyslexia at age seven, Michael spent his childhood wrestling with words that seemed to dance on the page. Letters swapped places. Sentences simply made no sense. Frustration moved in. Yet, despite all of this, Michael dreamed of becoming an editor. Michael’s journey began in a small town library, where he would spend hours poring over picture books, determined to decode their secrets. His parents and teachers recognized his drive and supported him with specialized tutoring and audiobooks. Still, progress was slow. “There were days I wanted to give up,” Michael recalls. “But every story I finished felt like I had just climbed a mountain.” High school brought new challenges. Michael joined the school newspaper, initially as a photographer, but soon found himself drawn to the editing desk. He discovered that his unique perspective, shaped by years of unraveling sentences, gave him an eye for clarity and empathy for struggling readers. “I realized I could help make stories clearer, more accessible,” he says. “That was my way of giving back.” In college, Michael majored in English, a decision that surprised many but made perfect sense to him. He sought out mentors and joined editing workshops. Each paper he edited, each manuscript he reviewed, was another step toward his goal. “Dyslexia made me work harder, but it also made me more determined,” Michael explains. Now in his late twenties, Michael is hitting his target. He interns at a local publishing house, where he’s known for his meticulous attention to detail and his passion for vibrant storytelling. His journey is far from over, but Michael’s story is a testament to resilience. “Dyslexia doesn’t define me,” he says. “It’s part of my story, and it’s made me a better editor.” Michael Turner’s battle with dyslexia has not only shaped his character but also his mission: to ensure that every reader, no matter their challenges, can find themselves in the pages of a good book.