In March 2013 at the age of 10, I founded the 501c3 nonprofit, Bright Young Dyslexics with the simple goal of helping a few dyslexic students afford the often times expensive phonics tutoring. I had been receiving Orton-Gillingham tutoring for my dyslexia and knew how much that was helping me at school. I wanted to be able to do something to help others. Through my nonprofit, I began meeting other dyslexic students who were struggling at school. Families were asking for classroom accommodations, but their requests were being denied because their schools did not “believe” in dyslexia. I knew then that raising money for tutoring wasn’t enough. I needed to educate others about dyslexia so that dyslexic students could get the education they needed. I began organizing dyslexia simulation events where participants could experience six different stations in order to feel the frustrations and stress that dyslexic students experience on a typical day of school. After the simulations, I answered questions about what helps me in the classroom. School districts began asking me to bring my dyslexia presentation to their teachers. I began hosting teacher in-service programs to educate teachers who were never taught about dyslexia in college. In December 2014, I wanted to encourage other youth to lend their time and talent to helping Bright Young Dyslexics further its causes. So, I formed the Youth Advisory Board for Bright Young Dyslexics which consists of 7th -12th grade students who help with fundraising projects and dyslexia presentations. This year, we have 30 members. With 1 in 5 students affected with dyslexia, I know that my nonprofit is very much needed. In the past six years, I have done so much more than accomplishing my original goal of helping a few students afford phonics, based tutoring. I have set up dyslexia resource centers at public library systems, educated teachers across Wisconsin and now I am doing the same in states across America. I have been blessed to be able to give back. Bright Young Dyslexics has changed my life’s purpose. I want to inspire others to make a difference too. I will continue to do everything I can until dyslexia is recognized and taught to in our schools. Being the face of a learning disability is not always easy. I have experienced many challenges such as being the victim of cyber bullying. A Twitter account was set up to mock my dyslexia and my non-profit. My image was used and inappropriate posts were made that called me stupid and more. I know that the Twitter account does not represent me, nor am I in any way defined by it. My teachers too have inadvertently upset me by making dyslexia the subject of ridicule within the classroom. But I don’t want to forget about it because I don’t want to forget what the stigma of having dyslexia can be. This bullying reminds me to keep advocating for dyslexic children and to keep raising awareness of dyslexia so that there can be a future where learning disabilities are not the subject of ridicule. In the past six years as President of Bright Young Dyslexics, I’ve learned that I can truly change the world. My age does not limit me. By leading and inspiring others, I can be a force of good to accomplish so much more. In 2013, Wisconsin was a “black hole” for dyslexia. I may only be a seventeen-year-old school girl, but I have been credited with changing the landscape for dyslexic students. I have raised nearly $200,000, directly impacted over 2,500 students, and impacted another 18,000 indirectly. No other organization offers funding for dyslexia tutoring without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, faith or socioeconomic status. This past year, I have been working to help pass legislation in Wisconsin since Wisconsin was one of just two states without any legislation regarding dyslexia. In February 2020, Wisconsin passed its first dyslexia legislation. Largely symbolic in scope, Wisconsin’s legislation is a long way from helping it’s dyslexic students succeed. I am not waiting for government, my organization helps students now! I have developed a dyslexia awareness kit so that students in other states can duplicate what I have been able to accomplish in Wisconsin. My kit helps students to begin dyslexia awareness programs in their hometowns and to educate their local school systems. I am currently working with students in 11 other states. After six years, my work with Bright Young Dyslexics is just beginning. I want to continue to grow my nonprofit and affect change across all of America. I am humbled that people all over the country are contacting me for help. Please visit my website at: www.BrightYoungDyslexics.org