KEY POINTS:
Inventor John Britten died 12 years before the official recognition of a condition that dogged him all his life.
But his widow, Kirsteen Britten, said he would be thrilled at the way dyslexia had been recognised.
Mrs Britten was a guest yesterday at the opening of the world's
first Dyslexia Discovery Exhibit, in Christchurch, to see a sculpture inspired by her late husband.
Free Flight - The Boy Who Could Do Better, by artist Paul Dibble, recognises Mr Britten, who made his name designing world-beating motorcycles.
The opening of the centre comes just days after the Ministry of Education, after pressure from the Dyslexia Foundation, announced official recognition of dyslexia - a disorder that impairs the ability to read and write.
"I think John would be amazed that it has taken so long for people to understand and for the Government to recognise dyslexia. It's fantastic that they have," said Mrs Britten, who is also dyslexic.
"John and I didn't understand our own minds and our dyslexia. There hadn't been any help or support. So it's really huge that dyslexic children will be encouraged and have a chance to reach their full potential."
Dyslexia affected Mr Britten all his life; he had "real difficulty" with letters, although he could build "amazing creations".
"He had wonderful support from his family and was encouraged ... to explore his dreams and imagination rather than shut down as many dyslexic people do."
Mrs Britten was 44 before she had any understanding of her dyslexia.
"We knew we had learning difficulties. Both of us would never write cards or letters to people, except to each other, because we were so embarrassed about our spelling."
The exhibit also features a work by English artist and dyslexic MacKenzie Thorpe and a work from Richard Taylor, the co-founder of the Academy Award-winning Weta Workshop.
A world authority on dyslexia, Californian Ronald Davis, told the opening function that dyslexia was highly treatable.
His methods, used in 39 countries, could benefit dyslexics within an hour as they allowed them to "shut it off" by addressing the confusion that brought it on.
The foundation and the ministry are discussing ways to support the estimated 70,000 dyslexic children in New Zealand.