COUNTRY FOR A CAUSE : Musicians Will Turn Out for a Daylong Fair to Benefit Dyslexia Research Foundation

With a white-knuckle grip on his pencil, your preschooler does earnest battle with the alphabet. You applaud every stroke, unconcerned that some letters are standing on their heads or have done a complete about-face. He’ll improve with time. And besides, his teachers will turn him around once he gets into kindergarten. Right?

If your child has dyslexia, the answer could be no . Based on data released by the National Dyslexia Research Foundation, if the disorder is not treated, or is treated incorrectly, that youthful struggle with the written word could easily turn into a lifelong battle that could cripple his learning ability, job security and self-esteem.

The foundation reports that as much as 30% of the U.S. population is dyslexic. And despite the foundation’s claim that the disorder affected such historical luminaries as Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison, it’s a condition that most people know little about.

On Saturday, the Country Music Faire allows Orange County residents to learn more about dyslexia while enjoying music, dance, food and games. The event, to be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in South Coast Plaza Village in Santa Ana, benefits the foundation’s literacy programs and support services in Southern California. The fair is presented by the group’s Costa Mesa center.

According to Joan McNichols, the center’s director of outreach services, dyslexia is caused by an imbalance of neurons that affects the region in the left hemisphere of the brain where reading ability and language processing originate. As a result, McNichols said, “processing in these areas does not go in a normal manner and the person has to be taught in a different way.”

A number of popular country performers, as well as area merchants, vendors and dance groups, are participating in the fair at little or no cost to the foundation. Headlining the event is Cliffie Stone (see accompanying story). Stone, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, is known for his “Hometown Jamboree” radio and television program (1946-60), which was touted as a springboard for the careers of country stars such as Tennessee Ernie Ford, Johnny Cash and Merle Travis. Stone, a songwriter, singer, producer and author, will appear with his wife, Joan, on the fair’s outdoor stage at midday.

Country and Western, bluegrass and folk are among the musical styles to be performed throughout the day.

Performers include American Made, Paul Jefferson and Steve McClintock, Appaloosa and Mark James Woods. Between concerts, two local square dance groups will strut their stuff, and storyteller-musician Kim Olson will perform. Anaheim’s Occasional String Band will present American traditional music; members of that group, along with other professional line dance instructors, will lead the public in a variety of line dances throughout the day.

Printed information on the foundation’s services for children and adults will be available, and staff members and volunteers, including many who have learned to cope with dyslexia, will answer questions.

For a personal introduction to the disorder, McNichols recommends a visit to the dyslexia simulation booth.

According to McNichols, the booth allows non-dyslexics and dyslexics to better understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses. During the two-part exercise, visitors will attempt to re-create words or geometric shapes as they are reflected in a mirror. Next comes an auditory experiment in which visitors pretend to take phone orders for a variety of items.

In the mirror exercise, “the dyslexic does a beautiful job and non-dyslexics have a terrible time with it,” McNichols explained. But, she added, dyslexics often have great difficulty in the auditory processing exercise, while the non-dyslexic handle it fairly easily. The booth, open to all ages, builds awareness by making participants “more aware of the processing and visual memory” typical of the condition, McNichols said.

Also scheduled is an exhibit and appearance by Bill Ware, a well-known dyslexic artist from Palm Springs who specializes in Southwestern-inspired paintings.

Children’s activities include face painting, old-fashioned carnival games, cakewalks and an exotic animal petting zoo.

Food and drink will be sold, as well as Western jewelry and accessories.

The Costa Mesa center provides services and referrals to clients ranging from very young children to senior citizens.

According to McNichols, early intervention is best.

“Our general measure is if you can get them by age 9, remediation can be almost 100%,” Nichols said.

“The important thing to remember is that dyslexics are not dumb: They are people of average or above-average intelligence. With remediation, you can do anything you want with your life.”