How Understanding Dyslexia Can Unlock Your Growth
Discover how Jack’s dyslexia diagnosis brought relief, clarity, and a path to personal growth, providing the explanation he needed for his struggles.
Hello everyone! Walter White here, and today I have the honour of sharing the journey of an incredible young man named Jack. His experiences with dyslexia are both inspiring and enlightening, offering valuable insights into perseverance, support, and the unexpected benefits of embracing one’s challenges. While we’ve changed his name and image to protect his privacy, the heart of her story remains genuine and unfiltered.
When Jack was ten years old, he discovered that he had dyslexia. For many, a diagnosis like this might seem daunting, but for Jack, it was a revelation. “I felt like it was a big load off,” he recalls. Finally, he had an explanation for why he always felt behind in school. This newfound understanding brought a sense of relief, but it also marked the beginning of a journey filled with challenges and victories.
Growing up with dyslexia was not easy for Jack. “Every single teacher was hard on me, and everyone else made fun of me for it,” he shares. The school environment, which should have been a place of support and encouragement, often felt isolating and harsh. But Jack’s story is not one of defeat; it is a story of resilience and strength.
To cope with the difficulties he faced, Jack turned to tutoring, specifically the Orton-Gillingham method, which is designed to help people with dyslexia. Additionally, he was homeschooled for a year, which provided a more supportive learning environment. This decision was made by his mother, Maria, who played a pivotal role in his journey. Recognising the challenges Jack faced in a traditional school setting, she decided to homeschool him to give him the personalised attention and supportive atmosphere he needed. “I just embraced that I have a disability and tried not to worry about it because it’s all a plan coming together,” Jack explains. His positive outlook and determination became his greatest allies. “Like it all made sense, and now they knew how to help me,” Jack says about his family’s reaction to his diagnosis. Their understanding and support made a significant difference, helping Jack to feel less alone in his struggles.
Maria didn’t stop there. She sought support and ideas from various sources, including a Reddit group dedicated to dyslexia. Through this community, she found resources, shared experiences, and connected with other parents facing similar challenges. This proactive approach ensured that Jack had the best possible support system.
“He just got accepted into a private middle school for dyslexic learners. He’s so happy and hopeful,” Maria says. She continues, “Before I had my son, I thought dyslexia was just letters moving around on the paper. Fighting the public school system for him, I decided to take a dyslexia simulation course. That small amount of understanding of what school felt like for students with dyslexia gave me so much insight. He used to tell me he was trying five times as hard as everyone else in his class just to get Fs, while the teachers basically told me he was lazy. What a struggle.”
Friends and teachers, once they knew about his dyslexia, were generally understanding. “They didn’t act surprised but they acted understanding,” Jack notes. This acceptance from those around him provided a comforting layer of support.
Despite the difficulties, Jack found that dyslexia brought unexpected benefits. “Because I’m not that good at reading, I have more energy and time to spend on other things like climbing and Jiu Jitsu,” he says. These activities not only gave him a break from the challenges of reading but also helped him build confidence and find joy in his abilities.
Jack also discovered the importance of taking breaks. “It helps me calm myself down and sort of restart,” he shares. This strategy became a vital tool in managing his dyslexia, allowing him to approach tasks with a fresh perspective.
“I saw what it was doing to my son’s confidence and sense of self. He was way too young to be so depressed. That’s when I pulled him out of school. Since then, he’s seen an Orton-Gillingham tutor three times weekly and made significantly more progress than he ever did at school. I think about how many sweet children turned cold due to a lack of support and understanding in their dyslexia,” Maria adds, highlighting the emotional and mental toll that dyslexia can have without proper support.
School accommodations like a tablet for writing, more time on the computer for longer writings, and the ability to take breaks were also beneficial. These tools and adjustments helped Jack navigate his educational journey more effectively, ensuring he had the support he needed to succeed.
To others with dyslexia, Jack offers heartfelt advice: “It’s very hard to read, but don’t worry, you’ll have more time to spend on other things. There are ups and downs to dyslexia, but I’m sure you can get through it.” His message is clear – dyslexia might make certain tasks harder, but it also opens up opportunities to explore other strengths and interests.
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 Jack’s story. If his 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 Jack’s.
Stay curious, stay kind, and keep believing!
Walter