Penny Lancaster opens up on hidden health battle: What to know about her coping strategies
Penny Lancaster talks dyslexia and resilience. Image Credit: RTE
Penny Lancaster, model, TV personality, and wife of rock legend Rod Stewart, has publicly shared her lifetime battle with undiagnosed dyslexia, a challenge that haunted her school years and shaped how she overcame adversity.
Speaking on RTE Radio about her new memoir Someone Like Me, the 54-year-old detailed how school was “extremely difficult” before her condition was recognized. She described the emotional toll of being dismissed and misunderstood.
What Is Dyslexia and How Did It Affect Her School Years?
Dyslexia is a neurodivergent learning difficulty that primarily affects reading, writing, and spelling. The NHS classifies it as a widespread learning difficulty.
Lancaster explained that she “couldn’t learn the same way as everyone else,” and that in school she was often relegated to the back of the class, ignored, or assumed incapable. She said reading aloud was one of her greatest terrors, making English her most problematic subject.
Bullying, Trauma, and Coping with Silence
Lancaster also revealed she endured bullying, not only for academic struggles but for being different. She shared that she was teased for being “neat and tidy,” for dressing differently, and for refusing to swear.
Adding to the trauma, she referenced sexual attacks in her youth, which compounded her struggles. Without diagnosis or support at the time, she said she would not have made it through without the support of her parents.
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Turning Point: Diagnosis and Self-Advocacy
Her condition was not recognized until later in life, a turning point that allowed Lancaster to better understand her experiences. She praised her parents for standing by her and urged others to seek help rather than accept being labeled “difficult.”
In her memoir, Lancaster even recorded the audiobook, reading out loud despite it being a former source of terror. That act, she said, is one of her most significant personal accomplishments.
How She Manages Now: Resilience & Perspective
Lancaster emphasized that she does not carry resentment toward those who bullied her. Instead, she practices empathy, believing that bullies lash out because of their own pain.
Her coping strategies include:
- Embracing her different learning style
- Writing and speaking openly about her journey
- Leaning on family support and therapy
- Turning adversity into advocacy by sharing her story
She reflected with pride: “From being Penelope at school that had dyslexia … now I have a book out … full circle.”
Public Reaction and Why This Matters
Lancaster’s openness has struck a chord. Many fans applauded her courage to speak out about hidden learning difficulties and mental health struggles.
Her story offers hope to anyone who has ever felt sidelined by educational systems or underestimated due to undetected conditions.
FAQ
Q1: What health challenge did Penny Lancaster reveal?
Penny Lancaster disclosed she has undiagnosed dyslexia, a learning difficulty affecting her reading, writing, and spelling, recognized only later in life.
Q2: How did dyslexia impact Penny Lancaster’s school experience?
She struggled academically, was often ignored or dismissed in class, and found reading aloud terrifying, making subjects like English especially difficult.
Q3: When was Penny Lancaster diagnosed with dyslexia?
Her dyslexia was not diagnosed until her adult years; during school she had no recognition or support for it.
Q4: Did Penny Lancaster face bullying?
Yes. Lancaster says she was teased for being different, cleaner than her peers, dressing differently, and refusing to swear. She faced discrimination beyond her academic struggles.
Q5: How did Penny Lancaster cope with her challenges?
She leaned on parental support, accepted her learning style, wrote about her experience, recorded her own audiobook, and adopted empathy rather than bitterness toward those who bullied her.
Q6: What is the name of Penny Lancaster’s memoir?
Her memoir is titled Someone Like Me, where she shares her full story, including her health battle and resilience.
Q7: How has the public responded to her revelation?
Many have praised her honesty and courage, viewing her story as a source of inspiration for others dealing with hidden learning difficulties.
Q8: Did Penny Lancaster ever resent her bullies?
No; she says she doesn’t harbor resentment. She practices empathy, believing those who bully often act out of their own pain.
Q9: Has Penny Lancaster done public speaking or advocacy about dyslexia?
Yes. By discussing her struggles openly and writing her memoir, she is raising awareness and advocating for better understanding of learning differences.
Q10: Why is Penny Lancaster’s story important?
Her story shows how successful individuals can quietly fight learning battles. It highlights the need for early diagnosis, acceptance of neurodiversity, and resilience in the face of adversity.
