We all know Jamie Oliver! Many of us know that he is dyslexic and struggled at school. But that was all we knew until this interview.
First, let me state that I am a long-standing Jamie Oliver fan. I love his cookbooks, own them all and use his recipes often. But Jamie is not just a cookbook author or chef. Jamie Oliver has in the past ten years made a thoughtful and well-organised commitment to social action. Jamie Oliver is an observer of society and a fixer. He genuinely wants to make lives better and he doesn’t just talk about action he lives it.
Jamie himself has used his high public profile to:
- establish a social enterprise that trains disadvantaged youth to become catering professionals through his Canteen restaurants,
- increase the provision of nutritious, low fat, low sugar school meals for school children in both the UK and USA,
- set up free community learning spaces to teach the cooking of healthy food in both the UK and Australia,
- become instrumental in the introduction of a sugar tax on soft drinks in The UK, and
- now produce cook books and tv shows aimed at showing all of us how to live better, longer, and healthier lives.
So Jamie Oliver cares – he wants all of us to be better, healthier and happier. Jamie is also a Dad, a devoted husband and a genuinely nice guy. So, I wasn’t surprised when I saw him finally discussing his dyslexia. What impressed me was his message because as always with Jamie – he told it like it is.
Jamie’s message:
In this interview, Jamie explains that he loved school because he had friends. That he knew his teachers liked him despite his learning challenges. But importantly despite being placed in a special learning unit of only 5 students he always felt included and valued. These are important reminders for all of us – parent, teacher or student – to “share the love!” as Jamie would say.
Finally, please watch and share this interview. The message is very clear every child matters, find your talent, share it – just as Jamie has. Despite his dyslexia!! Despite being in a special needs and not doing well at school, Jamie’s social skills and empathy for others have led to huge success.
Here is a man who has done much good in the world.
If you are a teacher or parent or person – be inspired.
A fine lesson in inclusion! And a reminder that the key to success is social.
Thank you Jamie Oliver!!!