This article is in no way to gain pity; it is to share what someone with a learning disability may have to go through every day.

Learning Disabled:

“A condition giving rise to difficulties in acquiring knowledge and skills to the level expected of those of the same age, especially when not associated with a physical handicap.”

The term LD sounds so harsh to unfamiliar ears. Most people associate being ‘LD’ with being incapable of functioning.

I was diagnosed with decoding problems in math and reading, slight dyslexia and ADHD in the first grade, because of this I lived a slightly different life than most carefree kids.

School was extremely difficult, I had troubles with things that came easy for most and no matter how much I studied and crammed, I never felt prepared.

I would cry and through fits out of anger for simply not grasping certain topics. Anger was coming from a place where I just wasn’t understanding.

The first influential teacher I had was Mrs. Mercer, who was there for me every day to pick me up when I was losing hope.

She was the first resource teacher I had who truly wanted me to succeed.

I lived with being teased and put down day after day for being different and having to go to a resource class, while others were enjoying electives.

I felt as if no one understood what I was going through, I was either pitied or treated cruelly by my classmates.

After making it through a couple of bad teachers, a couple of good teachers and eight long years, I met my high school resource teacher; Mrs. Apelizan.

She taught me how to enjoy learning again and how to be confident in myself.

Instead of using the term “learning disability” she would use “learning different” because that is exactly what it is.

Our brains just have a funny way of soaking up information.

We are usually just as smart, or sometimes even smarter than our classmates.

With any disability it’s important to focus on your strengths, which is exactly what Mrs. Apelizan did.

She encouraged me to express myself through writing and from then on I knew what I wanted to be; a journalist.

Writing down how I felt came so much easier on paper than it did word of mouth.

Following high school I was forced to grow up my first semester of college. I was so used to having constant help readily available. However, I was ready to move on and tackle college on my own.

My parents and teacher believed in me and that was enough.

I didn’t want help and was convinced I didn’t need it. I worked hard, my grades weren’t the best, but I got through it and learned how to deal with my ‘disabilities’ on my own.

I am now a senior on track to graduate with a double major and am extremely involved.

Never let others determine your future and grab hold of every opportunity you have to be great.

Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something.

Those disabilities don't just go away, they will always be there, but they do not define you, and you learn to live and learn as you go.

I am forever grateful for the ones who have helped shape me into the person I am today.