If you're like me, you had trouble focusing and learning in school. You learned the same topics and materials everyone else did but you processed them differently. By the time I was in second grade, my teacher met with my parents to discuss how she noticed some things that were going on with me and then we found out that I would always learn differently because I had a learning disability.
Growing up I was embarrassed to be diagnosed with a learning disability. In addition to just having the disability, I now had to go see teachers that were not the teacher that taught the class I was in. I had to skip a class to go see them or they would pull me out in the middle of class. When it came to test taking, I would have to leave the room and go to the "Testing Center." Everyone saw it and everyone knew something was wrong with me. Finally, the in and out of classrooms stopped and I was able to stay in the classroom with everyone else, but now, there was another teacher who followed me to every class I went to. I became close with those teachers because I knew they understood me even when I didn't understand myself. I thought I was stupid and that no one else had this problem. However, this is not the case. Many students learn differently and there are many resources being used in schools to help accommodate each of them.
As I got older I got more comfortable and accepted the fact that I learn a little differently and my embarrassment disappeared. I realized that no one cared if I was in the classroom or not, or if I needed help from the teacher that followed me from class to class. It's school, we're all forced to be there to learn, not to judge others on how they learn.
When I started college, I felt ready. I knew I got a lot of help from my teachers throughout the years and they helped prepare me for college. However, my freshmen year was a struggle and a half for me. My grades were not the best and I would stay at the end of class to talk to my teachers constantly. I signed the disability papers so the college and my teachers knew I had a learning disability, therefore my teachers were willing to help me. However, because of the disability, no matter how many times I spoke with my teachers, there was a loss of connection between my brain and the pen. It got to the point where I was too frustrated and I decided to talk to my Dean and ask him whether or not he thinks I should transfer or switch majors. He said no. Everyone had faith in me when I didn't. So I just worked even harder. Even though I have a learning disability, that does not mean that I stop trying and things will be handed to me. I have to work even harder to get what I want.
As I just ended my sophomore year, my grades went up and I felt a lot more confident in my work. I am not a learning disability named Rachel. I am Rachel who happens to have a learning disability. I may have to work ten times harder than the student next to me, and I may have to talk to my teachers more than they do, but in the end I am okay with having that disability and to everyone who is embarrassed because they learn a little differently - just be you and don't worry about what others may think because they aren't actually thinking about it. Chances are they, too, struggle with something they're embarrassed of.
