Farther and Sun: A Dyslexic Road Trip

Pictured: British documentarian Richard Macer and his son Art

Credit: APT

British documentarian Richard Macer embarks on a journey across the United Kingdom with his dyslexic son, Arthur. 

Farther and Sun: A Dyslexic Road Trip, airing Sunday, January 31 at 3 p.m. on WXXI-TV,  seeks to answer the question, “can this disability also be a gift in disguise?”

This documentary is presented as part of Dialogue on Disability, a partnership between WXXI and Al Sigl Community of Agencies that celebrates people with differing abilities.

Dyslexia affects one in 10 people, and it can lead to greater problems later in life; in fact it is believed that as many as half of the prisoners in Texas are dyslexic. However, there are many successful people, including celebrities and business leaders, who have the disorder. Richard and Arthur seek answers to this conundrum through interviews with scientists and experts.

On their road trip, the father and son duo also meet several notable dyslexics, such as Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson and actor/comedian Eddie Izzard. Forty years after his own struggles in school, Richard himself also gets tested for dyslexia, as he seeks to find out if he passed it down to his son.

Dialogue on Disability, an initiative founded by WXXI and Al Sigl Community of Agencies in 2003, celebrates people with differing abilities and promotes a more inclusive community. Presenting a week’s worth of TV and radio specials, news reports, and interviews on WXXI’s daily talk show, Connections with Evan Dawson, the initiative is designed to encourage community discussion about the perspectives and abilities of people with physical and intellectual disabilities. Dialogue on Disability runs January 25-31.

For a complete list of programs and other offerings, visit WXXI.org/dod. Dialogue on Disability is a partnership between WXXI and Al Sigl Community of Agencies - in conjunction with the Herman and Margaret Schwartz Community Series. The initiative is supported by the Fred L. Emerson Foundation with additional support from The Golisano Foundation.