In second grade, I started to realize I was a pretty bad reader. Watching all of my friend breezing by with reading chapter books, I was still struggling with picture books. I felt so discouraged, and dumb. It was the absolute worst feeling I have ever felt. Knowing this, my mom would help out in class and we would practice my reading, but I wasn't getting better. Why wasn't I reading just as good as my friends? Why did I struggle so much with understanding the story? Why was I taken out of class 3 times a week to work on my reading? What was making me different from everyone else?
I was diagnosed with dyslexia when I was third grade. For those who don't know, dyslexia is a language based learning disability. It can be different for everyone. And no, I don't read upside down or backwards. Here is an example of my dyslexia. When reading, I tend mix up similar looking letter such as d, b, and p. Also when reading or writing, I tend to mix up words that look and sound similar such as their, there, and they're. Luckily for me, my parents knew I needed help academically in order to conquer and accept this new disability. They fought for me, harder than anyone I know.
I am so fortunate that I got to go to one of the best private school for children who have language based learning disabilities. Landmark is one of the best LBLD schools in the United States, and I'm not just saying that. Kids from all around the world try to go to that school. There teachers and programs are incredible. This school did more than just get me through high school. It made me the hard working, determined student I am today.
Landmark also gave me the confidence I needed to succeed. Before Landmark, if I messed up reading in class, I would listen to all the rude comments from my classmates about how 'retarded' I am. That rude banter does more than you think. It can really negatively affects a person and their self esteem. However, after landmark, if I were to mess up reading out loud in my college class, I would shake it off and say, "Hey I'm dyslexic, let me try that again."
Landmark gave me confidence in myself and confidence in my difference. Because at the end of the day that's what it is. Its a learning difference. I'm not getting a leg up in class, I'm leveling the playing field. Being dyslexic is part of who I am. I don't hide it or neglect it. I embrace it. Don't let anyone ever tell you that you are stupid. Because you aren't. You actually are highly intelligent. Going to In third grade, my teachers were saying I would never make it to college, well here I am in my sophomore year at a university. And ready for this: your girl is dyslexic, majoring in English. Tell me God isn't good.
