Defying Being Dyslexic: Jenny’s Journey of Support and Triumph
Reading, Resilience, and Redemption - Walter White’s Conversation with Jenny About Overcoming Dyslexia
Also available as a podcast.
Hello there! Walter White here, and today I have the pleasure of sharing the journey of a remarkable woman named Jenny, whose experiences with dyslexia are both inspiring and enlightening. While we’ve changed her name to protect her privacy, the heart of her story remains genuine and unfiltered.
Discovering Dyslexia
Jenny’s journey began early on, albeit without a formal diagnosis. “Although I was never formally diagnosed with dyslexia, I was identified as having ‘learning disabilities’ from a very young age, perhaps around kindergarten,” Jenny began, her voice tinged with the memory of those early days. “I remember feeling confused and different. I had to go to a different school than my friends in kindergarten, and I didn’t really understand why.”
Her parents were quick to recognize her learning challenges, subjecting her to various tests throughout her childhood. “I went through many different types of tests from my first year in elementary school,” she explained. This early identification, although not specific to dyslexia, set Jenny on a path laden with both hurdles and opportunities for growth.
Family and Educational Support
Jenny’s journey was significantly shaped by her support system. “My mother was my biggest supporter. She loved reading and always encouraged me to read. We spent countless hours together with books,” Jenny shared, her face lighting up with a warm smile. This nurturing environment was crucial in helping her engage with reading despite her struggles.
Her formal education also played a vital role. She attended specialized schools tailored for children with learning disabilities. “I went to a specialized school until ninth grade, which focused on children with learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, and dyslexia,” Jenny recalled. These schools provided smaller class sizes and more personalized attention, which were critical for her development. “The hands-on learning methods and tailored curriculum really helped me keep up with my peers and build my confidence.”
Early Coping Strategies
Jenny’s early years were marked by a relentless determination to improve her reading skills. “During the summer between fifth and sixth grade, I spent a lot of time reading books. By the time I returned to school, my reading skills had improved significantly, and I was reading at or above grade level,” she noted with pride.
Her schools provided not just academic support but also therapeutic interventions. “In my early years of elementary school, I had a private tutor in addition to attending a specialist school. Later, I went to another specialist school where I received speech and occupational therapy,” she recounted. These services helped address broader aspects of her learning disabilities, contributing to her overall development.
Middle and High School Experiences
Transitioning from specialized elementary schools to mainstream education was a significant change for Jenny. “In middle school, I continued to receive a lot of support,” Jenny recalled. “I attended a specialized school until ninth grade, which provided a nurturing environment where I felt understood and supported.”
High school, however, presented new challenges. “When I entered a mainstream public high school, I was initially placed in special education classes for all subjects,” she explained. “The first two years were tough. I had extended time for tests, was allowed to use a calculator for math exams, and in some classes, my spelling mistakes were not counted against me.” Despite these accommodations, the transition was daunting. “I felt anxious and worried that my ‘normal’ friends would find out about my dyslexia,” she admitted.
Social and Emotional Impact
The social and emotional impact of dyslexia during these years was profound. “In middle school, I remember being teased a lot,” Jenny shared, her eyes reflecting the pain of those memories. “It was hard feeling different and being laughed at.” High school brought a mix of relief and new anxieties. “Thankfully, in high school, nobody really teased me. I was one of the smarter kids in our special ed program, so I often attended mainstream classes without issues,” she said. “But I was still very scared that my friends would find out.”
Developing Coping Mechanisms
Throughout her school years, Jenny developed various coping mechanisms to manage her dyslexia. “One of the biggest strategies was taking things slowly and re-reading material multiple times,” she explained. “This helped me get a better grasp of what I was learning.”
The support she received in school also played a crucial role. “I had accommodations like extended time for tests and using a calculator for math,” she noted. These tools were essential in helping her succeed academically. “In university, I had access to a note taker, extended time for exams, and the option to take tests in a quiet, separate location,” she added.
University Challenges and Successes
Transitioning to university was a significant milestone for Jenny. “The pace of university was very different from high school, and I struggled to keep up initially,” she admitted. The support system she had in place became crucial. “I attended a program that offered additional tutoring support and more hands-on academic advising for students with learning disabilities. I met with an academic advisor weekly, and I had accommodations like extended time for exams and a quiet location to take tests.”
Despite these supports, the transition was not without its difficulties. “In my first years, I really struggled to understand the university pace,” she said. “But towards the end, I mostly used tutoring services as needed and found a rhythm that worked for me.”
Career Impact
Jenny’s dyslexia also influenced her career choices and professional life. “As a dyslexic, it’s very hard for me to explain certain aspects of how the English language works,” she said, reflecting on her time as an English teacher overseas. “It impacted my career negatively because I didn’t have a great understanding of the mechanics of English. I was also extremely paranoid about spelling errors.”
These challenges often made Jenny feel slow to catch on to new tasks and responsibilities. “It takes me a while to figure out situations, roles, and how to succeed, which can be frustrating for both me and my employers,” she shared. However, once she mastered a task, her performance excelled. “I can hyper-focus on certain things and get the job done well after a period of struggle,” she noted.
Advice and Reflections
Looking back on her journey, Jenny has valuable advice for others with dyslexia. “Take things slowly and know that you can overcome a lot of your struggles,” she said, her voice full of encouragement. “It may take a while and it may be more difficult than for someone without dyslexia, but don’t let it stop you from doing what you want to do. Unfortunately, you’ll need to put in the work. Focus on reading if possible—practice makes perfect.”
Jenny also wishes to convey a deeper understanding of dyslexia to those without it. “It’s not just flipping Bs and Ds or seeing words mixed up on a paper,” she explained. “Each person is different, and symptoms can vary greatly. Let’s try to be more patient with those who struggle.”
Jenny’s journey through dyslexia is a testament to the power of resilience, support, and self-advocacy. Her story not only sheds light on the challenges faced by those with dyslexia but also highlights the strengths and empathy that can emerge from such experiences.
If you or a family member are navigating dyslexia and would like to share your story, I’d be thrilled to help you do so. Diverse experiences foster understanding and support within our community. Please feel free to send me a message, and together, we can continue to raise awareness and provide inspiration to others on their journeys.
Thank you for taking the time to read Jenny’s inspiring story. If her journey resonated with you, please feel free to leave a comment and share it with as many people as you can. Follow and subscribe to stay updated with more stories like Jenny’s.
Stay curious, stay kind, and keep believing!
Walter White
What a fabulous interview!
It was such a nourishing inspirational read. Jenny is WOW.