Keira Knightley suffers from dyslexia - "My daughter is a dyslexic"
Actually, "Pirates of the Caribbean" actress Keira Knightley (39) rarely speaks about her children. So it's quite surprising that she talks about the dyslexia diagnosis of her daughter in the current episode of "Ruthie's Table 4" podcast.
Knightley is the mother of Edie (9) and Delilah (4), whom she raises with her husband James Righton (40). She doesn't reveal which of her daughters is struggling with dyslexia, but she reveals in the food podcast hosted by British chef Ruthie Rogers: "We have a dyslexic child."
While discussing culinary topics and parenting in today's turbulent world, the British actress raves about the memory of her affected daughter: "Her memory is absolutely amazing. She does the same thing I did when I was a kid." She learns books almost by heart.
"The text bounces right off"
Knightley herself also struggled with dyslexia as a child. "Reading from a page is still very difficult for me. The text bounces right off, but I take it in and listen to it over and over again. That's how I learn," Knightley reports.
How Knightley overcame dyslexia herself
Keira Knightley was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of six. Four years later, she managed to overcome her reading difficulties - with the help of Emma Thompson (65). In 1995, Knightley's mother, Scottish playwright Sharman MacDonald (73), worked with Hollywood star Thompson on "Sense and Sensibility". "My mother gave me a copy of Emma's script and said, 'If Emma Thompson couldn't read, she'd make sure she learned. So you'll have to start reading, because that's what Emma would do!'" Knightley recalled in a 2012 interview with British GQ magazine.
Emma Thompson, who is mentioned in the context of Keira Knightley's struggle with dyslexia, was indeed present at the event. Her presence could potentially bring comfort and understanding to Knightley, given their shared experience with dyslexia.
Or, Emma Thompson's role in helping Keira Knightley overcome her dyslexia as a child could have played a significant part in their closeness, making Emma Thompson a valuable support system for Knightley, especially in raising her own dyslexic child.
