Sir Jackie Stewart continues his fight for dyslexia awareness next week He won three Formula One world titles between 1969 and 1973 and subsequently turned into a global ambassador for such iconic brands as Rolex. Yet, for a long time, Jackie was plagued by his inability to read and write properly. He never passed his 11-plus, was regarded as "thick" by some of his teachers in Dumbarton and was 42 before he eventually discovered he had dyslexia. Ever since, the feisty, formidable little Scot has campaigned to ensure that other children don't have to endure the privations he experienced. And he will be back in his homeland next week to speak on behalf of Dyslexia Scotland at a special event at Queen Margaret University. Jackie told STV: "When I was growing up [in the late 1940s and 1950s], dyslexia simply wasn't recognised by the teachers. I remember my father taking me to get extra lessons from a Mr Thomson at Dumbarton Academy to try and get me through my 11-plus exam. But it was pointless. Many people thought I was lazy, or stupid or just plain thick. It frustrated me then and it still does, because there are still so many people who suffer the same problems as I did. If anything, their number is increasing. When I married Helen, I was just 23 and I suppose I hid it for nearly 20 years. But that's what can happen when you leave school at 15 with no qualifications. I found other outlets I could pursue. Others weren't as fortunate. When he arrives in Edinburgh for An Audience with Jackie Stewart on Wednesday, he won't pull any punches about the lack of support which he feels is offered to the majority of dyslexics. He has made it his mission to meet successive First Ministers and senior cabinet figures, both at Holyrood and Westminster, and has no intention of easing up. As he said: "I'm apolitical. I have worked with [Labour's] Jack McConnell and [the SNP's] Alex Salmond, they have both been very helpful and I'm sure that Nicola Sturgeon will be the same. However, we need more help from the deans of the teacher training colleges. It's one thing addressing dyslexia and accepting that it exists. But there's not enough support for most dyslexics. Well-off people can get their children assessed and given the assistance they need. But, too often, for those who are less affluent, they have to cope with a situation where their kids are written off as being dumb or ignorant. It's not good enough. Jackie has tasted myriad great moments in his 75 years. He has also attended the funerals of too many former colleagues in the pit and paddock. It has given him a pragmatism and perspective about the often wafer-thin margins which can divide triumph from disaster. He appreciates that dyslexia's difficulties won't all be solved overnight. And yet... I've put a lot of money into helping organisations such as Dyslexia Scotland, but there is only so much we can do. We have to run helplines at weekends," he said. It's strange, because I know the bitterness and frustration which can build up when you are dismissed as being a thicko. It can drive people to drink or crime or drugs. I wasn't that far away from going down that route when I was growing up. As you might expect, given his glories in the fast lane, Jackie will be watching closely when the 2014 F1 title reaches its climax this weekend in Abu Dhabi. The title remains in the balance with both Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes colleague Nico Rosberg in contention to claim the prize. "It could go either way, but you have to fancy Lewis, because he can afford to finish second and he will have wrapped up the championship," said Jackie. So it's all about reliability and not getting caught up in trouble on the track. Once the race is under way, you sense he will be glued to the screen. But he is also fighting on a larger canvas for those with bigger issues that mere sporting trinkets. The event in the Halle Lecture Theatre on Wednesday at 3pm is free, but tickets will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. You can book your place by emailing QMU.