Jo started her YouTube channel to raise awareness for dyslexia at the age of seventeen. Since she has herself struggled to communicate through writing, YouTube has been the perfect platform to express her abilities and message via creative educational videos. Jo passionately promotes a positive environment for dyslexics through her videos and is also an ambassador for the British Dyslexia Association.

Can you tell us how you got the idea for your YouTube channel?J: I first started YouTube when I was 17, when I had the idea to create a documentary about dyslexia and how dyslexics are at a disadvantage in the education system and how this can be overcome. As a dyslexic, I struggle to communicate through writing, so having the ability to create videos to help raise awareness and form a community for dyslexia, YouTube seemed like the perfect medium for me. Throughout my time in education, I always felt alone with my dyslexia, so to be able to act as a role model to help promote a positive environment for other dyslexics, I decided to continue making videos for those who felt alone like I did.

How do you decide on the subject for your videos?J: It depends! Usually people leave comments on my other videos asking for advice on certain subjects, and I often try to create videos that help answer their questions. I also think about the problems I struggle with and that usually gives me inspiration as well. As dyslexics, we often have to find our own coping strategies to keep up with everyone else, so I also like to share my own personal ideas to help others.

What do you love about being a YouTuber?J: The comments people leave for me are always amazing - knowing I can help just one person who feels alone or is struggling always gives me so much motivation to keep raising awareness and building a community for dyslexic people.

What challenges did you face during your school years? How did you face these challenges?J: School was a huge struggle for me in two ways. Firstly, I was so far behind in maths that before my GCSEs I was told I wasn't going to make it into sixth form, as I wasn't even able to scrape a D let alone the B I needed to get back in. But my biggest struggle was facing the stigma that surrounds dyslexia: I was often criticised by friends, teachers, you name it - being told that dyslexia just meant I was stupid, how could I be dyslexic in certain subjects, how I didn't deserve a laptop or extra time in exams. There is such little awareness about dyslexia that people are generally unaware of how it can impact on a person, and facing this criticism definitely affected my mental health. However, as soon as people saw my documentary, so many people contacted me to say they could finally understand. So to all the dyslexics out there: knowledge always conquers ignorance!

What are your other hobbies?J: I am a huge advocate for helping the environment and the current refugee crisis. As a vegetarian of six years, I am extremely passionate about the damaging effects of climate change, especially from animal agriculture! I love to do as much as I can to help raise awareness for climate change and trying to educate others on the issue too. I also worked at the Samos refugee camp last summer, and since then, I decided to take up a masters in Conflict, Security and Development, to better learn how to help the situation, and try to make a difference!

What do you like to do when you are with your family/friends?J: I love music - any opportunity to see it live and I'll be there with my friends! Being outside, the beach, festivals, you name it!

Who is your favorite celebrity?J: Tough question... I really admire Casey Neistat, a well know YouTuber. He started with nothing, and has built up an extremely successful channel, constantly pushing himself to do better and do more! I aspire to have his ethos everyday, and motivate me to push myself physically and mentally.

What is your suggestion for parents/families to empower children with disabilities?J: Educate, educate, educate yourself and listen to your child! They know more than anything with what problems they face and if you listen and also educate yourself how best to help, it can only benefit them. Also, try and find role models of a similar age to your child, I know I never really listened to my parents advice and wish I knew someone going through the same as me, so that will definitely benefit them.

Can you give tips/advice for those in our community who want to start their own YouTube channel?J: Find something you're passionate about and don't do it for the number of followers or likes, I have a tiny tiny channel compared to the thousands of YouTubers out there, but making content I'm passionate about is all that matters to me!

Any special message for our community?J: You're never alone, and I promise it gets better in the end!