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by Denise Douce
September 2015
Justin Wilson Never Gave Up
Janelle Sowders, the helmet she designed with the theme “never give up,” and Justin Wilson in 2012.
IDA offers heartfelt condolences to the family of Justin Wilson, who died August 24, 2015, from a head injury suffered at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania. Many of us at IDA remember Justin from his work with IDA in 2012 when he sponsored a contest for children to design a logo for his racing helmet. Justin later wore the helmet with the contest winner’s design during the Grand Prix of Baltimore.
Originally from Sheffield, England, Justin coped with his own dyslexia while forging an international motorsports career. As an Ambassador, the former Formula 1 driver and multiple IndyCar Series race winner helped IDA in its promotion of dyslexia awareness and education. He explained at the time “…as someone who has learned to live with dyslexia, I want to provide hope and inspiration to children and their parents that it is still possible to achieve your dreams, whatever they may be.”
Click here to read the Baltimore Sun article from 2012 about Justin’s struggle with dyslexia and why he chose Janelle’s design for his helmet.
Denise Douce is the Director of Publications and Communications, International Dyslexia Association
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