“Just keep swimming.” This movie Finding Nemo has haunted my mind for years. I watched it probably when I was seven, watching the movie alongside my sister on the living room floor with popcorn sitting in between us. Back then, it was just one of those funny things Dory kept saying, so I did not think much of it. Then with age, I began to realize how much in my life those three words seemed to appear—especially during times when I felt like giving up. Eighth grade was another moment when that phrase showed up in my mind. I had just failed a math test that I had studied hard for. I remember just sitting there, holding that awful paper, and staring at it while the feeling kept sinking in my stomach. Sometimes I asked myself if Am I smart enough. Can I keep up? Does it even matter? That night, on one of the TV channels, Finding Nemo was showing. I had hardly been paying attention until Dory had said it yet again: Just keep swimming. It shocked me. I chuckled a bit, but I needed to hear it. I needed that little nudge to know that I couldn't give up just yet. Since then, that quote has become really importent to me expesually when I'm weighed down with doubts, stress, or anxiety, I tell myself to just keep swimming. It's sort of like a little mantra I whisper to myself before tests, after difficult conversations, and sometimes when I'm just trying to figure out where I'm going with my life. It helps ease the tension of needing to be perfect and reminds me to keep going, one foot in front of the other. I love the fact that Finding Nemo is a kids' movie with genuine lessons for grown-ups. It never pretends that nothing bad happens in both grown-up and kid-world: plans fail, people get lost, and fear comes creeping in. But even with hardship, one thing is constant: Never give up. Keep going. Keep swimming. So, yes, it sounds silly that a talking fish affected my life profoundly, but it did. The movie not only helped me get through the day; it stayed with me; a simple, powerful mindset that has stayed with me as I've gone through school, made my friends work, and am still carrying through everyday challenges. And I think I'll just carry it for some time more.

Having to deal with a learning disability has been challenging for me, but it has also molded me into the person I am today: a resilient, self-aware, and determined individual. Among the greatest challenges I have faced is the sense of being misunderstood and underestimated. I noticed that I did things a bit differently than some of my classmates from an early age. Reading quickly, organizing my thoughts onto paper, or following multi-step instructions were all things that I struggled with. While my peers seemed to zoom through assignments, I was the one who had to slow down, take extra time with things, and ask other people to clarify things for me. At times, that felt just frustrating because I wanted to learn, but because I always knew I could learn if the road were only a bit easier. There were moments when I worried that my learning disability would be what defines me or that, in the eyes of others, I wouldn’t measure up. An IEP says that, at certain times, I might need to leave the classroom to have additional support provided or to get something that others don’t need. At first, I thought of these differences as disadvantages. With time, I began to see that I don't learn in the same way as most people do which isn't a deficiency; it is just another way of learning. My IEP provided me with tools to learn in my way, and supportive teachers throughout elementary to high school that I will remember for the rest of my life because these specialists helped me discover strategies to build my confidence and independence. I learned to stand up for myself and express my needs regarding how I learn best. Sometimes I will ask for extended time; other times, I may ask for instructions to be repeated. Overall, I have found that some tasks are better when broken down into smaller, manageable steps. It's never easy speaking up for myself, but with every instance that I do, I feel more empowered. Rather than comparing myself to others, I try to focus on my progress—and that shift has been dramatic. A big part of what keeps me going in my educational process is the awareness of how much ground I have already covered. The more challenges I have overcome, the more determined I become to keep going. This has allowed me to become more confident, more self-aware, and more willing to take on things outside my comfort zone which are all due to knowing that I have already faced challenges that seemed impossible. My other big motivation is my twin sister. She has always been my best cheerleader and has seen my growth first-hand. Instead of competition, we uplift each other. She celebrates my strengths and reminds me that I have something to contribute. Her faith in me, along with that of my family and teachers, carries me through, especially in tough times. I want to continue my education so that I can prove something to myself. My learning disability does not limit my potential means I have taken a different road to getting there. I am grateful because that road has made me even stronger.