NEW YORK — WNBA star Jewell Loyd is featured advocating for dyslexia in a 32-story Times Square three-panel LED billboard (3 Times Square / Thompson Reuters building) for Eye to Eye, “The Official Sponsor of Different Thinkers.”
Loyd, a guard for the Seattle Storm and 2015 WNBA Rookie of the Year, discovered at age 12 that she has dyslexia and is the first celebrity athlete to share her dyslexia story in Times Square, reaching millions. She advocates for other different thinkers – more than 20 percent of the population.
“I grew up hearing from my mom, a teacher, ‘If there is no struggle, there is no progress,'” said Loyd. “Having a disability can be a struggle. Learn to embrace it, you’re changing disability into ‘this ability.’ I encourage kids to say like I do, ‘You have no idea how able I am.’ It’s important to me that I am helping kids change their lives and dream big through Eye to Eye.”
“With Jewell, we further amplify our stories about learning disabilities and abilities – we’re changing culture,” said Chief Empowerment Officer David Flink, who founded the Eye to Eye organization, a mentoring movement for and by people with learning disabilities. “We’re making unprecedented moves with sports celebrities sharing their dyslexia stories, including at the Indy500 in our PSAs with Sir Jackie Stewart and the late Justin Wilson, who also shared their experience and encourage others to share theirs.”
“I believe that sharing my story is one of the most powerful things I can do,” added Loyd. This action is a highlight of Eye to Eye’s #ShareAbility campaign, which inspires all different thinkers to share their story and the stories of those they love.
About Eye to Eye: Mentoring, Advocacy, & Culture Change (http://www.eyetoeyenational.org)
As the “Official Sponsor of Different Thinkers,” Eye to Eye is the only national mentoring organization run by and for people with learning differences, from powerful chapters in 20 states and passionate involvement in all 50. The goal is to create a world where all youth with LD / ADHD (one in five) can achieve their fullest potential.
An art—based curriculum brings together the kids labeled as “learning disabled” or LD / ADHD to build essential social-emotional skills including self esteem and advocacy with similarly labeled college students as mentors. Mentors gain purpose and a community that fosters their own self esteem and leadership skills.
The organization reaches new audiences with Eye to Eye Diplomats. “Alumn’Eye” are supported in the transition from college to the workplace and beyond. Eye to Eye culture-change agents also inspire millions to share their abilities. More information is available at EyetoEyeNational.org.
About the Seattle Storm (http://www.StormBasketball.com)
The Seattle Storm is a two-time WNBA championship team committed to bringing a premium professional basketball and entertainment experience to a fan base rich in tradition and support. The organization places high value on community and building platforms to positively impact the overall entertainment, attraction and economy of the Puget Sound region. In addition, the Storm is dedicated to local youth development in the areas of fitness and wellness, with a special emphasis on inspiring leadership, motivation, and the empowerment of girls and women. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit StormBasketball.com.
Jewell Loyd Sports Stats
Loyd leads not only in advocacy, she leads on the court. Loyd led all first-year players in scoring during the 2015 WNBA season and was named the 2015 WNBA Rookie of the Year. The 5-10 guard is the first player to win the award with the Storm in the franchise’s 16 seasons.
Loyd averaged rookie highs of 10.7 points and 25.9 minutes, putting her second on the Storm in both categories, and added 3.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 34 games (23 starts). Her 90.4 free throw percentage was tops among rookies and placed her fourth in the league. She scored in double digits 18 times, including 10 such performances in her final 13 games. On Aug. 30, 2015, Loyd set a franchise record for made free throws without a miss (14-for-14) and finished with 18 points to go with five rebounds as the Storm defeated the Washington Mystics 69-59.
Eye to Eye Social Media
Jewell Loyd Social Media
facebook.com/jewellloydbasketball
Media Inquiries:
For additional high resolution imagery or video, contact Fred Miggins, Director of Marketing and Communications, Eye to Eye, 212-537-4429 ext. 3 or email fmiggins@eyetoeyenational.org.
To arrange a personal interview with Loyd, contact Kimberly Veale, Manager, Public Relations, Seattle Storm, 206-272-2706 or email kveale@stormbasketball.com.