Hey bud,

You just got back that spelling test didn’t ya? Didn’t go too well just like the last one… and the one before that… yep, I can still feel the sting of tears as you look to your best friend’s test and see that she has zero red ink strewn about the page. No, hers looks crisp and white with just four red markings at the top indicating 10 out of 10. It’s okay to run to the bathroom down the hall. You know this bathroom well, as the second stall always seems to be there for you on these special Fridays. Let it out girl, let it out.

Okay, you good? Cool, just keep the sniffling at a minimum as I let you in on a little secret. Are you ready?

Madeleine Kay Flom-Staab, you have a super power. Yes, you did indeed hear me right. Not in the way that Percy Jackson does. I’m sorry you are not a Greek Demigod (that I know of) and while we are on that note, you are not going to double as a super star and get the best of both worlds when you are my age. Even though you are about to spend an embarrassingly large amount of money on a platinum blonde wig. No, no, dearest you have a super power because you understand different ways to learn. Oh, hush child, that is not boring! Just listen to older, wiser me!

By having a letter jumbling, slow reading, type of brain you take new routes to study things and comprehend material given to you in class. New routes that are filled with colors and diagrams, maybe even some songs to sing to yourself in the testing room (I promise Ms. Rosack, I'm not cheating!). New routes that make zero sense to your study partners, even with the guide you so kindly have placed in the corner. New routes that take a long-ass time but benefit you 10 times more than just reading a textbook and answering the questions in your study guide. Still not cool enough for you, training-bra-wearing fifth grader? No? Okay.

Well, here is something amazing. There are always people, and things like spell check, out there to help you when your powers just aren't shining through to yourself. Tutors are saints sent from the universe above. Teachers' office hours are now your hours. Sorry other students, this girl needs help! Extended time is nothing to be ashamed of! Extended time is a magical gift, where you can have desks that are big enough for you to expand your water bottle, pencils, snacks, erasers, snacks, maybe a watch, calculators and some more snacks. If you are lucky, maybe you get your own room for a test and can do some downward dogs to get all loosy-goosy in between each problem.

Alright, as awesome as that is, having this power will take a toll on your confidence and self-love. You’re going to get mad at your own brain that controls so much more than just the difference between bs and ds (I’m sorry to say, Maddie is different than Mabbie so watch out when you sign your own name). You're going to resent your control center because it takes you way more than one explanation for you to grasp the concept at hand. You are going to have to have awkward conversations with college professors as they wonder why the fill-in-the-blank portion of your test seems to be filled out by an eighth grader. You will compare yourself to every classmate sitting around you and put yourself down for something that makes you special.

Your mother may be worried about you. Your sisters may make fun of you. Your teachers may give you level one books, but just remember your mind is beautiful. Your super human brain is filled with twists, turns, colors, shapes and crazy smartness that only you can have. And who knows… maybe you take these super powers and help other super children with their development of their awesomeness.

Keep on killing it baby girl,

You da best!

Love,

19 year old Mabbie

Also, if you have the chance to send a letter to the people who invented words, ask them why the word "dyslexic" was created to be the hardest spelling word in the world? Thx<3