Wheel of Fortune winner credits son with dyslexia for inspiring him to join TV show game

A recent episode of Wheel of Fortune brought an emotional moment that touched many viewers.

Matt Popovits, a pastor from Houston, Texas, shared that his son’s battle with dyslexia inspired him to compete on the show.

“I have two great kids – Ava and Jack,” he told PEOPLE. “And when Jack was diagnosed with dyslexia, we said, ‘Let’s watch Wheel as a way of helping him learn to read and spell.'”

Matt shared that watching Wheel of Fortune became a fun way to help his dyslexic son. As they continued tuning in, his son encouraged him to audition.

“And I said, ‘I will if you help me, and he did and here we are!'” Matt shared.

The Wheel of Fortune winner walked away with $16,350 and a trip to Mexico, but the excitement didn’t end there.

He nailed the Bonus Round puzzle, winning an extra $56,000. As host Ryan Seacrest revealed the final total, his family rushed to celebrate with him.

When Ryan turned to Matt’s son and asked what he thought of his dad, Jack smiled and proudly replied, “Amazing!”

After the episode aired, Matt shared his excitement on Instagram, posting highlights from the show and moments from a viewing party.

He called the experience one of the top ten moments of his life but said the absolute joy came from celebrating with his family and others.

He also praised hosts Ryan and Vanna White, calling them “the real deal” and incredibly kind.

A few days before the episode aired, Popovits took to social media to share his excitement about competing on the popular game show.

In the video, he proudly wore a Wheel of Fortune shirt and encouraged fans to tune in.

In his caption, the Wheel of Fortune winner reflected on his longtime love for the show and how his son Jack played a key role in the journey.

He explained that they worked together to create and submit an audition video. They were at Sony Pictures Studios just weeks later, ready to film the episode.

He ended his message by inviting fans to tune in and cheer him on.

“You never know what could happen. We could befriend the bankrupts and come home empty-handed, or we just might win a million dollars,” he said.

What is dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects how the brain processes language and recognizes words, making reading, spelling, and writing difficult, according to WebMD.

It has no connection to intelligence and isn’t caused by hearing or vision problems.

Instead, it happens when the brain has trouble linking letters to their corresponding sounds, making it harder to process written words.

Dyslexia affects an estimated 5% to 15% of Americans, causing challenges such as slow reading, difficulty spelling, and mixing up words.

While many are diagnosed as children, others may not realize they have the condition until adulthood, when persistent struggles with reading and writing become more apparent.

Dyslexia affects people in different ways and can range from mild to severe.

In most cases, it is present from birth. Still, it can also develop later due to brain injuries, illnesses, or early developmental issues.

Based on its cause, dyslexia is classified as primary, secondary, or acquired.

The condition also presents various reading challenges. Phonological dyslexia makes it hard to sound out or break down words. In contrast, surface dyslexia impacts the ability to recognize familiar words at a glance.

Deep dyslexia, often linked to brain damage, disrupts word processing and comprehension.

Many individuals experience a mix of these types, leading to unique difficulties with reading and language.

Meanwhile, diagnosing dyslexia involves evaluating a child’s reading and language skills rather than using medical tests.

Specialists assess key abilities like recognizing words, sounding them out, and understanding spoken and written language.

To find the best learning support, doctors and educational experts conduct tests that measure reading comprehension, spelling, vocabulary, and word recognition.

Pediatricians may also check for conditions like ADHD, anxiety, or depression that could affect learning. At the same time, educational psychologists provide deeper insight into learning disabilities.

Once dyslexia is diagnosed, parents can work with teachers and medical professionals to create a personalized learning plan tailored to the child’s needs.

Here’s Matt Popovits and his family during the bonus round of Wheel of Fortune: