Since I began attending EKU, I haven’t talked about being dyslexic, not because I’m embarrassed of it, but because of the negative connotations associated with it. One would think that being in the education field, especially in special education, that people would understand that a disability only ‘disables’ people who let it. However, I noticed that others who speak freely about their problems in school are sometimes ‘labeled’ even if people (professors, administration, other students, etc…) don’t do so consciously, so when I began attending EKU I wanted a fresh start.
I have learned over the years that dyslexia has truly been a gift for me; it helps to value my intelligence and to be proud of how far I have come. I think a lot of people take for granted just how difficult it is to be a successful college student (or a successful student in any grade), and that sometimes it is very tricky to ‘look outside the box’ at other people’s situations and comprehend them as something you can relate too.
I have never felt bad about being dyslexic; in fact, some of the greatest minds in history (and today) were and have been diagnosed as dyslexic. Innovators such as: Thomas Edison, Leonardo Di Vinci, and Albert Einstein were thought to have been dyslexic. Even famous actos/actresses such as: Tom Cruise, Whoppi Goldberg, and Jay Leno (to name a few) have been diagnosed with dyslexia, and look at the success they have created out of their lives!
I just wanted everyone to know from personal experience that having a ‘learning disability’ does not make someone less intelligent. As Dr. White said in class, it just means that a person ‘learns differently.’ I think that many teachers think that this means that these are students who deviate from the ‘norm’ (which is a term that I hate with a passion). However, I have come to learn through observation that children with dyslexia as well as other learning disabilities need to be taught towards their strengths, and that by doing so their real abilities can be discovered.
Erica Jones…sorry this is so long.
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2 comments:
I absolutely commend you for being so brave to share with all of us. I realize that having certain problems makes you afraid of what people will think. I have a form of epilepsy and I get all sorts of negative connotations and strange questions when I tell people. There are so many diseases and disorders that people have yet to accept and understand. Just know that no matter what you do have people who can relate. I also think that you are an amazing example of what a teaching major should be. I mean who could help a child more than someone who has been through what they are. =D
I am completely with you on this one. What a wonderful thing to share with people who never seem to understand things like dyslexia. I was diagnosed in 6th grade, when my reading level was that of perhaps a 2nd grader, maybe 3rd. After my diagnosis, I was forced to use colored overlays for years, until finally I got so tired of the hassle, I weaned myself from them. Never used them again. Still don't. I got a LOT of questions about dyslexia growing up. Like, is it a disease, etc. etc. I don't get as many questions now really, but on occasion. It's sometimes tough to open up about something so personal to such an ignorant society. We can't blame them for not knowing though, I guess. And I always love to share the list of great minds and celebrities who also have dyslexia. :) I'm glad to see I'm not the only one.
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