When I was in school there were times when I struggled to keep up with the other children. There was not much information known about dyslexia or learning disabilities and if a child fell behind in school, they were labeled. That would be me!
Reading became a struggle. My eyes saw the words, but by the time it registered in my brain the form had changed to a completely new word (saw became was, etcetera). I discovered that it was easier to read backwards in the mirror than it was to read forward in a text book! My math scores reflected these challenges for reversing the sequence of numbers or mistaking 9 and 6 was very common for me.
For those who don’t understand what this is like. Imagine taking a big bite of your favorite dessert and discovering, when it hits your taste buds, that it’s changed into a warm bite of cow pie! I can assure you, for me, trust became a real issue and I began to second guess all my decision. It was exhausting!
It wasn’t easy to overcome the obstacles of my disabilities, but I learned many valuable lessons from sitting at the back of the class! I realized there are many choices in life to be made; although, it was difficult for me academically, I was determined to strive even harder to develop other gifts that came readily. If I couldn’t go to Harvard, then I was going somewhere equally gratifying!
Within a few short weeks I had discovered my potential as an athlete. That year I took the prestigious J. F. Kennedy Decathlon award and I became the only “freshman” in the history of my school to gain such recognition. My triumph was over the entire freshman, sophomores, juniors, and seniors girls and although, this didn’t raise my math scores, it did wonders for my self esteem!
Triumph comes in all forms. It’s studied and proven that when a person loses one of their senses, the other sensory perceptions become more predominant and powerful. Think about this for a moment. If one ability is “less than” and the “other abilities can become stronger” then this provides an advantage in many areas and not a disadvantage! There is also a hidden clause for those who possess disabilities. They developed an inner sense of determination to succeed and this breaks down the barriers between failure and success.
Here are some interesting people who developed their talents in spite of the obstacles.
Hans Christian Anderson (Famous Author) - Dyslexia
Ludwig van Beethoven (Famous Musician) - Deaf
Alexander Graham Bell (Great Inventor) - Learning Disability
Winston Churchill (Prime Minister of England) - Dyslexia
Walt Disney (Animator/ Movie Producer) - Dyslexia
Thomas Edison (Great Inventor) - Dyslexia
Albert Einstein (Great Physicist) - Dyslexia
John Milton (Famous Author) - Visually Impaired
General George Patton (War General)-Dyslexia
Franklin D. Roosevelt (President of the United States)- Polio
Leonardo daVinci (Famous Painter)-Dyslexia
George Washington (President of the United States) - Dyslexia
Woodrow Wilson (President of the United States) - Dyslexia
We are never too young or never too old to become excellent at something. I am certain that if my English teacher had an opportunity to read my blog, she would roll over in her grave! But guess what? “It’s my blog” and one find day, I plan to finish all the races that I have yet to run! 
