Brian Meersma: From Dyslexic Student to Microsoft PM

Diagnosed with severe dyslexia at a young age, Brian relied on family to read aloud textbooks.

In high school, biology was difficult not because he did not grasp concepts, but because he could not read the textbook in a format that worked for him.

That changed when he discovered Bookshare: It gave me the ability to focus on understanding rather than decoding.

Now a Senior PM at Microsoft designing accessible technology, Brian says: Bookshare was the turning point. It showed me what was possible.

Advice: Do not let anyone tell you that you cannot learn. With the right support, you can thrive.

Source: Benetech, April 17, 2025