Founders Story - Andrew Fildes
Andrew Fildes was born on 10th June 1973. At 3 and 1/2 years of age, he was still not speaking and had difficulty understanding what others were saying although his hearing was normal. Andrew demonstrated a number of peculiar behaviors including frequent tantrums, an interest in touching certain objects, lining up of objects, repetitive questioning, and an inability to establish friendships with other children. Andrew’s mother knew there was a problem and through the years Andrew was labeled as having “language delay”, “language disorder”, “dysphasia”, “Asperger’s Syndrome”, and Language-Learning Disability. Andrew attended Special Language Units and a program called “A New Start for the Under Achiever”, extensive speech therapy, and was able to improve to a point where he was able to successfully complete Year 11 of the VCE in 1990. After that, Andrew completed two TAFE courses in Business and Hospitality. Although Andrew has had some difficulty academically, he has had an outstanding history of achievement throughout his school years. Andrew has received numerous awards for his excellence in Community Service. Some of Andrew’s accomplishments are mentioned in the book entitled “Rudy and Friends” Chapter 2 “Striving for Excellence—the Andrew Fildes Story”.
Andrew’s major academic achievement is that he has fought and won to overcome his Language-Learning Disability. Although Andrew still has some difficulty with reading, writing, and spelling, he has a great job which requires a high level of oral communication skills, excellent organisation and planning, and requires that he use his excellent ability with numbers and knowledge of geography to track movements of freights across the world. He is a full-time Cargo Freight Broker Bookings Manager responsible for ensuring cargo arrives safely at the appropriate destinations around the world.
In 1994, Andrew came across a (Tri Star pictures) movie called “RUDY” (Rudy Ruettiger), a man who also had a Language-Learning Disability who never gave up on his dream to play football (grid iron) for the University of Notre Dame. Rudy gave Andrew the inspiration and the courage to establish a tax-exempt Foundation in 1996. Rudy then became Patron of the Foundation along with actor Sean Astin who portrayed Rudy in the film. (A 30 second clip of this film appears on the Foundation’s video courtesy of Tri Star Pictures).
Once this happened Andrew then did all the background work to establish his Foundation. He sought advice, located people, and convinced them to assist him in setting up his Foundation. The Andrew Dean Fildes Foundation for Language-Learning Disabilities was established in 1996 to provide services for people throughout Australia with Language-Learning Disabilities. The Foundation has obtained a tax-exempt status. The Foundation obtains donations to fund its programs for the support of people with Language-Learning Disabilities.
Andrew has worked hard to overcome his problem. Andrew’s dream and personal goal was to establish a Foundation to assist other children who have difficulties with Language-Learning Disabilities. Andrew’s dream is ensure that every child in Australia and their families and teachers understand what needs to be done to overcome Language-Learning Disabilities. He wants to ensure that every child gets an opportunity to overcome his / her problem. Which has now become the vision of the foundation. In 2011 the foundation changed the name of the foundation to SHINE a division of the Andrew Dean Fildes Foundation.
Andrew also has provided talks to inform, promote and seek funding from the public. These talks aim to make the community aware of Language-Learning Disabilities, the Foundation, its goals and programs. Most audiences are captivated by Andrew’s life story in having a Language-Learning Disability. Almost everyone can relate to his story of frustration, anxiety, challenges and triumph by never giving up. Almost everyone has known someone with similar challenges. Andrew’s story invigorates them and helps them understand that people with Language-Learning Disabilities can be helped within Community. More than 20,000 people have heard in speak at Lions Club, Rotary Clubs, University Graduations, & International Conferences throughout Victoria and parts of Australia.
To book Andrew for a speaking engagement – please email info@shine.org.au.
For further information or to make a financial contribution please contact:
Andrew D Fildes on donation@shine.org.au
For Professional Information about the Programs for your child, school or region contact:
Dr Carl Parsons on programs@shine.org.au
