“THE FONZ” & THE “MY WAY” CAMPAIGN

You have no idea how excited I am. A few days ago I actually met one of my childhood heroes. In my wildest dreams I never thought that would ever happen. I used to sit and watch “Happy Days” illicitly in Hong Kong because my parents for some extraordinary reason wouldn’t let me watch it even though all my friends did (same as Charlie’s Angels and now I have an obsession about that as well – so you see it just goes to show that you shouldn’t BAN your kids from doing stuff. It just makes it worse). I was so in love with The Fonz it was ridiculous. I loved him WAY more than anybody else and WAY more than David Cassidy, David Essex, David Bowie and anyone else called David put together.

Having said that he did look like this:

So when I found myself sitting upstairs in Wimbledon Theatre with over 1000 children listening to Henry Winkler up on stage talking to children about his experiences of dyslexia as a child and how he overcame his difficulties, I was already in my element (well apart from the 1000 children and the stage, that is).

OK he’s a bit older now but still. So am I. OK, he’s married now. Lives in America. All the usual hurdles. Nicky Cox, Editor of “First News” the leading children’s newspaper talked initially about writing for newspapers and the nationwide tour they’re doing called the “My Way” campaign.

Henry Winkler came on stage and initially I was worried for him – it’s not easy entertaining a vast room full of children unless you’ve got a clown suit on or swords to throw about but he was absolutely brilliant. Totally engaged with the children. Was very warm and very funny. He told us that 1 in 5 children have learning difficulties. We watched a video about an incredibly eloquent boy called Alfie with dyslexia and then Henry started on his motivational talk. All about how every single person learns in a different way. How each and every child in the room was powerful and that their job was to figure out what great gift was within them that they are going to give to the world. He told them that everybody couldn’t wait to see who they were going to become.

He told us that his parents used to call him “Dumb Dog” in German and that school was incredibly hard for him. The teachers didn’t know what dyslexia was at the time and he was labelled a troublemaker. Was told he was stupid and not living up to his potential. It became part of his self image and he began to believe it. He told the kids “how you learn has nothing to do with how smart you are. Just because we learn differently doesn’t mean that we are not incredibly smart human beings. That’s something I need every child to understand”. How inspiring for our kids to be injected with a little bit of that good old American thing called self belief and enthusiasm – you could positively hear the electricity crackling (OK that might have been just me) – but when he told the kids to say to themselves “I have no time for you, negative thought, send it away, don’t put a full stop at the end of it because it will only get bigger – will only stop you from reaching your dream” they were all cheering and clapping. I bet those kids left the building a couple of inches (oops centimetres) taller.

What he is most proud of in his lifetime are the books he has produced for children. All about a 10 year old boy with dyslexia called Hank Zipzer. He’s written 17 now. He writes them by pacing the room talking whilst his wife Lin Oliver types. Then they discuss bits and she types some more….he said that he never dreamt in a million years that he would ever be an author. Each book only takes them 3 months to write. He encouraged anyone else who wants to write a book to have a go. Just write things down for 5 minutes a day – you’ll be amazed at how quickly you’ve managed to write a whole book.

By the time he was saying “Live your dreams – just put your mind to it and it will happen. If you will it, it is no longer just a dream, you can make things happen ” I was ready to stand up and say “I am living proof of that dream. Where there’s a will there’s a way and I’m here meeting my hero”……but then I thought the kids might think I was weird.

SO then it just got even better. He started signing his book “Barfing In The Back Seat” (I’ve just written “Barfing Up The Wrong Tree” before I checked correct title!!) which requires a little bit of translation for the British kids who are only used to “throwing up, chundering, vomiting” in the back seat. Because the friend I went with is involved in the whole “My Way” campaign we actually went up on stage to meet him. That’s why I’m going to Downing Street next week because they’re launching the “My Way! Awards” and I’m already worried about what to wear – not because it’s Downing Street but because I might get sweaty armpits if I get anywhere near Henry again and that is not a good look in some dresses).

I got him to sign a book for my youngest son AND I bought a signed copy for any of you lovely people out there who think your child would love the book – let me know why you want it and you can have it.

Here are the photos:-

Henry reading an excerpt from his book with Nicky Cox in the background

All the kids just wanted to give him a huge hug:-

AND ME! Not looking my best BUT I did have my leather jacket on in case – you see? A prime example of dreams to reality – but I have to say it was very disappointing to hear him admit that he’d never wear a leather jacket in real life and he can’t ride a motorbike! :-