Henry Winkler receives honorary OBE for work on dyslexia

Daniel S Levine
9/16/2011
Henry Winkler has been made an Honorary Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. The OBE was presented to him by Sir Nigel Sheinwald, British Ambassador to the United States, at a ceremony at the British Embassy. The OBE was awarded to Mr. Winkler in recognition of his services to children with dyslexia and special educational needs. Mr. Winkler, who was diagnosed with dyslexia as an adult, has spent much of the last two years educating school children, administrators and policy makers about dyslexia and other learning difficulties. (Washington, DC) ***U.S. Syndication Only!***

The Queen of England is apparently a big fan of the Fonz’s work on fighting dyslexia. Henry Winkler received the title of Honorary Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his work in helping school children deal with dyslexia and other special needs.

Entertainment Weekly reports that the honor comes after his tours of the U.K. raising awareness for dyslexia, which Winkler was actually diagnosed with as an adult.

Winkler called the honor a “very humbling experience,” according to The Daily Mail. He also noted that he was flattered and that he will continue to make sure that children know “their learning difficulty isn't a disability.”

The award was presented in Washington, DC to Winkler by the British Ambassador Nigel Sheinwald, according to the press release.

While Winkler is best known for his role as the Fonz on Happy Days, he is also known to children all over the world as the author of the Hank Zipper books, which deals with a child who has dyslexia and overcomes his struggles.

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