Bradley, Illinois – Brent Sopel, a former Blackhawks player and founder of the Brent Sopel Foundation, will be speaking to parents and community members in the Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School (BBCHS) auditorium on Tuesday, March 7th at 5:15 p.m. Sopel will discuss his experience with dyslexia and how he used hockey as a strength to overcome his learning disability.
According to the foundation, dyslexia affects as many as one in five people, with more than 40 million Americans being dyslexic. Shockingly, only two million of those individuals have been diagnosed, leaving the vast majority without the support they need.
During his presentation, Sopel will discuss the importance of early detection and intervention, highlighting the work of the Brent Sopel Foundation, which provides financial and educational assistance to students with dyslexia.
Sopel’s passion for helping others with dyslexia stems from his own experiences. Despite a successful career in professional hockey, including a Stanley Cup win with the Blackhawks in 2010, Sopel struggled with dyslexia for the first three decades of his life.
The Brent Sopel Foundation aims to reduce the number of undiagnosed cases by improving dyslexia testing and providing K-12 educators with grants and scholarships to pursue training to support children with reading disorders. The foundation also seeks to test every K-12 student for dyslexia and create the first dedicated dyslexia school in Illinois.
The presentation promises to be interactive, with Sopel welcoming questions from the audience on a range of topics, including the dangers of using drugs and alcohol to cope with life’s challenges, bullying, and how to maintain good mental health.
Anyone interested in supporting the Brent Sopel Foundation can donate via the website. All donations are tax-deductible and directly support someone struggling with dyslexia.
About Brent Sopel:
During his NHL career, Sopel played for the Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks, Atlanta Thrashers, and Montreal Canadiens. Despite his impressive resume, Sopel now finds far more satisfaction in helping others deal with the disorder that haunted him for so long.
About the Brent Sopel Foundation:
The Brent Sopel Foundation provides financial and educational assistance to help students with dyslexia fulfill their potential through early detection and intervention. Without proper educational support, children with dyslexia often struggle with reading and writing, creating a more challenging pathway to success. The foundation aims to provide the necessary resources to reduce the number of undiagnosed cases and improve the lives of those with dyslexia.
