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DAS Alumni Blog and Happenings, Celebrating Dyslexia Success

Bryan on Dyslexia, Determination and Becoming a National Yo-Yo Champion

For Teo Wei Hong Bryan, being diagnosed with dyslexia in primary school brought uncertainty for both him and his family. Like many parents, Bryan’s worried about what the future might hold for their son.

That uncertainty began to ease when Bryan joined the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS).

“DAS taught me the fundamentals of English from the ground up,” Bryan shares. “My teachers were incredibly patient. They guided me step by step whenever I got stuck and broke down tasks into smaller parts so I would not feel overwhelmed.”

More than academic support, Bryan found acceptance and encouragement at DAS.

“The teachers never judged us because of our difficulties. They focused on our strengths and helped us believe in ourselves.”

Overcoming Challenges

Growing up with dyslexia was not easy. Bryan faced difficulties with reading, spelling and sentence structure. He also experienced bullying and often struggled with self-confidence.

“There were times when I felt isolated and doubted myself,” he recalls. “But I always reminded myself that dyslexia does not define who I am.”

With the support of his family, friends and teachers, Bryan learned to persevere and developed the confidence to pursue his goals.

Discovering a Passion for Yo-Yo

One of the most transformative parts of Bryan’s journey has been his passion for yo-yoing.

“What started as a hobby eventually changed my life,” he says.

Bryan began competing in 2019 and initially placed last in competitions. Despite setbacks, he continued to train diligently, practising for two hours every day and learning from mentors who believed in his potential.

His persistence paid off.

In 2025, Bryan was crowned Singapore National Champion in the 2A Double-Handed Division at the Singapore National Yo-Yo Championship. In 2026, he represented Singapore at the Asia Pacific Yo-Yo Championships 2026 and placed 7th in Asia in the 2A Division.

“Winning the national title taught me that success is not about avoiding failure. It is about continuing to work hard, even when progress feels slow.”

Using His Platform to Inspire Others

Bryan has used his yo-yo journey to advocate for people with learning differences and disabilities.

Bryan’s inspiring journey has also been featured by CNA Insider and in The Straits Times, where he shared how yo-yoing helped him build confidence and overcome the challenges of dyslexia. Through these opportunities, Bryan hopes to show others that having dyslexia does not limit what a person can achieve.

“I want to inspire people to choose hope and believe that anything is possible with hard work and perseverance.”

Looking Ahead

Bryan is currently serving National Service as an Admin Support Assistant and plans to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Professional Communication.

In the future, he hopes to build his own creative business or work in media, web design and motion graphics.

He also has a bold goal in the yo-yo world: to represent Singapore at the World Yo-Yo Contest before 2030.

“Whether I win or lose, I want to prove that even people with learning differences can achieve incredible things”. 

A Message to Current DAS Students

Bryan hopes his story will encourage current students to keep going, even when the journey feels difficult.

“What is defeat in life? It is not merely making a mistake. Defeat means giving up on yourself in the midst of difficulties. What is true success in life? True success means winning the battle with yourself.”

From a young boy who once struggled with confidence to a national champion and inspiring advocate, Bryan’s journey is a powerful reminder that with the right support and determination, every individual can thrive.

Whether you are a parent or a past DAS student, if you have a story to share, reach out to us at [email protected]

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