Our Story...

My daughter has been diagnosed with moderate to severe dyslexia. This is our story:


We really didn't recognize the signs at first. There was a small speech impediment, but therapy cleared that up in just six months. And we were on our way to preschool. The real problems began in preschool. She never really got the ABC's down, but I thought nothing of it, but when she started writing her name in mirror image, I had an inkling that there might be something there that was wrong.


Kindergarten was a NIGHTMARE.

Long story short, we had a teacher who was GREEN and didn't know much about learning disabilities. It became my job to educate her and educate my child at the same time. I became a fighter, my daughter's best advocate. They hated to see me coming. After several months trying things their way, they decided that all they really needed to do was to hold her back one more year and that would fix it. Of course, I said "Umm, no I don't think that will work." They were flabbergasted that I did not agree. In fact every time I saw the principal she reminded me that it was my choice to retain her, but it was in her best interest. Finally, when it became very obvious that the system was being close minded and would not even consider testing her for THREE years, I said goodbye - we became Kindergarten drop-outs.


Many hours I spent educating myself. Devouring book after book, article after article, searching the internet, talking to doctors, foundations for learning disabilities one thing after another. Finally, a year later I heard about the Scottish Rite Foundation. They test children for Dyslexia for free. I found our local chapter in Birmingham and scheduled a test. I felt I knew what the results would be, but not the severity.


What I felt that day was strangely relief. The rest of my family felt fear. I was relieved. I questioned what I was thinking... How could anyone be relieved that their child has a severe learning disability? What was wrong with me?? Then I realized that the relief came from the fact that I knew what was wrong, it was something that I could attack, something we could work around. It was not the end of the world. Many, many other mothers would gladly trade disabilities with me.

I thanked God for dyslexia.

Yes, I thanked God. Why? Well, because he made me with a purpose and this is my purpose. I am her mother, to be her teacher. I am her mother to be her protector, her advocate, her champion, her cheerleader. God had given me a job. The most important one next to raising her, it was to teach her.


My next obstacle was finding someone to help me teach her. She needed professional help, someone trained to do what I was not and the person who will teach me to teach her. Again, I searched. Asked everyone I knew, the former teacher in Bible study, the friendly lady on a field trip, even going so far as to search out the tutor businesses in the phone book. This process also took a year, we prayed for our tutor/therapist and then we prayed some more. God answered our prayers, we found our teacher, our mentor, the person to lead us down the road.... and while the road is not always straight or even yellow brick, it is a path that many others have trod before us and sadly many more behind us.

I hope to encourage just one person, or help someone find the help they need by telling our story.


And that is why we face each day with Courage, Confidence and Character.