Living with Dyslexia When I was younger, I thought struggling to read meant I wasn’t smart. While classmates finished a page in minutes, I was still sounding out the first few words. I still remember when the teacher would ask us to read “popcorn style” and I would nervously count each sentence ahead to start rehearsing the line in my head before it was my turn to read out loud. My palms grew sweaty and my voice started to shake as I stuttered the words and I would hear snickering from behind me. At the time I felt like I had failed, and now looking back I wish I could tell my younger self that dyslexia would not hold her back, but instead would eventually become one of her strengths. When I was placed in special reading classes, I was surrounded by other students who were going through the same issues, who were struggling with dyslexia or similar challenges. Many of us seemed unmotivated, frustrated or convinced we would never be good at reading or successful in school. Watching this attitude develop around me made me realize how easy it would be to fall into that mindset. It was tempting at times to believe that struggling meant I was incapable. Instead of letting those doubts take over me, I had to remind myself that I would not let dyslexia define me and my future. I will admit it was difficult when I had to stay up those late nights to keep up with the class, but every late night of studying was an investment in my future. Each of those small successes gave me the confidence to keep going. Even if English class was never my favorite I still discovered a love for math and science and earned strong grades in my classes. I began to understand that my brain was simply wired differently, and I might fall behind in some areas, but I could also rise to the challenge in others. In high school, I was advised to avoid advanced courses, but I didn’t see a reason to hold myself back when I was thriving in my on-level classes. Taking that risk opened the door to opportunities I never imagined. I was introduced to advanced courses that grew my passion for STEM, and I pushed myself further than I thought possible. Walking across the stage with both my high school diploma and an Associate of Science degree the same day reminded me that I am capable of far more than I once believed. Looking back, I can see that dyslexia never truly held me back, but instead shaped me into the person I am today. It taught me resilience when I wanted to give up, determination when others doubted me, and confidence when I proved to myself what I was capable of. From struggling to read in elementary school to earning both a high school diploma and an Associate degree, I’ve proven to myself that challenges can be transformed into strengths. As I continue my education and pursue my dream of becoming a physical therapist, I carry with me the lessons dyslexia has taught me, to work hard, to stay motivated, and to never let obstacles define my potential. Living with dyslexia has not been easy, but it has shaped me into someone who refuses to give up. I hope my story shows that challenges don’t have to limit us, but instead can fuel us. With this same resilience, I will continue my journey in higher education and beyond, proving that determination is stronger than any obstacle.

When I was younger, I thought struggling to read meant I wasn’t smart. While classmates finished a page in minutes, I was still sounding out the first few words. I still remember when the teacher would ask us to read “popcorn style” and I would nervously count each sentence ahead to start rehearsing the line in my head before it was my turn to read out loud. My palms grew sweaty and my voice started to shake as I stuttered the words and I would hear snickering from behind me. At the time I felt like I had failed, and now looking back I wish I could tell my younger self that dyslexia would not hold her back, but instead would eventually become one of her strengths. When I was placed in special reading classes, I was surrounded by other students who were going through the same issues, who were struggling with dyslexia or similar challenges. Many of us seemed unmotivated, frustrated or convinced we would never be good at reading or successful in school. Watching this attitude develop around me made me realize how easy it would be to fall into that mindset. It was tempting at times to believe that struggling meant I was incapable. Instead of letting those doubts take over me, I had to remind myself that I would not let dyslexia define me and my future. I will admit it was difficult when I had to stay up those late nights to keep up with the class, but every late night of studying was an investment in my future. Each of those small successes gave me the confidence to keep going. Even if English class was never my favorite I still discovered a love for math and science and earned strong grades in my classes. I began to understand that my brain was simply wired differently, and I might fall behind in some areas, but I could also rise to the challenge in others. In high school, I was advised to avoid advanced courses, but I didn’t see a reason to hold myself back when I was thriving in my on-level classes. Taking that risk opened the door to opportunities I never imagined. I was introduced to advanced courses that grew my passion for STEM, and I pushed myself further than I thought possible. Walking across the stage with both my high school diploma and an Associate of Science degree the same day reminded me that I am capable of far more than I once believed. Looking back, I can see that dyslexia never truly held me back, but instead shaped me into the person I am today. It taught me resilience when I wanted to give up, determination when others doubted me, and confidence when I proved to myself what I was capable of. From struggling to read in elementary school to earning both a high school diploma and an Associate degree, I’ve proven to myself that challenges can be transformed into strengths. As I continue my education and pursue my dream of becoming a physical therapist, I carry with me the lessons dyslexia has taught me, to work hard, to stay motivated, and to never let obstacles define my potential. Living with dyslexia has not been easy, but it has shaped me into someone who refuses to give up. I hope my story shows that challenges don’t have to limit us, but instead can fuel us. With this same resilience, I will continue my journey in higher education and beyond, proving that determination is stronger than any obstacle.

When I was younger, I thought struggling to read meant I wasn’t smart. While classmates finished a page in minutes, I was still sounding out the first few words. I still remember when the teacher would ask us to read “popcorn style” and I would nervously count each sentence ahead to start rehearsing the line in my head before it was my turn to read out loud. My palms grew sweaty, and my voice started to shake as I stuttered the words, and I would hear snickering from behind me. At the time I felt like I had failed, and now looking back I wish I could tell my younger self that dyslexia would not hold her back, but instead would eventually become one of her strengths. When I was placed in special reading classes, I was surrounded by other students who were going through the same issues, who were struggling with dyslexia or similar challenges. Many of us felt unmotivated, frustrated, or convinced that we would never be good at reading or successful in school. Watching this attitude develop around me made me realize how easy it would be to fall into that mindset. It was tempting at times to believe that struggling meant I was incapable. Instead of letting those doubts take over me, I had to remind myself that I would not let dyslexia define me and my future. I will admit it was difficult when I had to stay up those late nights to keep up with the class, but every late night of studying was an investment in my future, and every small success gave me the confidence to keep going. Even if English class was never my favorite, I still discovered a love for math and science and earned strong grades in my classes. I began to understand that my brain was simply wired differently, and I might fall behind in some areas, but I could also rise to the challenge in others. In high school, I was advised to avoid advanced courses, but I didn’t see a reason to hold myself back when I was thriving in my on-level classes. Taking that risk opened the door to opportunities I never imagined. I was introduced to advanced courses that grew my passion for STEM, and I pushed myself further than I thought possible. Walking across the stage with both my high school diploma and an Associate of Science degree the same day reminded me that I am capable of far more than I once believed. Looking back, I can see that dyslexia never truly held me back, but instead shaped me into the person I am today. It taught me resilience when I wanted to give up, determination when others doubted me, and confidence when I proved to myself what I was capable of. From struggling to read in elementary school to earning both a high school diploma and an Associate degree, I’ve proven to myself that challenges can be transformed into strengths. As I continue my education and pursue my dream of becoming a physical therapist, I carry with me the lessons dyslexia has taught me: to work hard, to stay motivated, and to never let obstacles define my potential. Living with dyslexia has not been easy, but it has shaped me into someone who refuses to give up. I hope my story shows that challenges don’t have to limit us, but instead can fuel us. With this same resilience, I will continue my journey in higher education and beyond, proving that determination is stronger than any obstacle.

When I was younger, I thought struggling to read meant I wasn’t smart. While classmates finished a page in minutes, I was still sounding out the first few words. I still remember when the teacher would ask us to read “popcorn style” and I would nervously count each sentence ahead to start rehearsing the line in my head before it was my turn to read out loud. My palms grew sweaty, and my voice started to shake as I stuttered the words, and I would hear snickering from behind me. At the time I felt like I had failed, and now looking back I wish I could tell my younger self that dyslexia would not hold her back, but instead would eventually become one of her strengths. When I was placed in special reading classes, I was surrounded by other students who were going through the same issues, who were struggling with dyslexia or similar challenges. Many of us felt unmotivated, frustrated, or convinced that we would never be good at reading or successful in school. Watching this attitude develop around me made me realize how easy it would be to fall into that mindset. It was tempting at times to believe that struggling meant I was incapable. Instead of letting those doubts take over me, I had to remind myself that I would not let dyslexia define me and my future. I will admit it was difficult when I had to stay up those late nights to keep up with the class, but every late night of studying was an investment in my future, and every small success gave me the confidence to keep going. Even if English class was never my favorite, I still discovered a love for math and science and earned strong grades in my classes. I began to understand that my brain was simply wired differently, and I might fall behind in some areas, but I could also rise to the challenge in others. In high school, I was advised to avoid advanced courses, but I didn’t see a reason to hold myself back when I was thriving in my on-level classes. Taking that risk opened the door to opportunities I never imagined. I was introduced to advanced courses that grew my passion for STEM, and I pushed myself further than I thought possible. Walking across the stage with both my high school diploma and an Associate of Science degree the same day reminded me that I am capable of far more than I once believed. Looking back, I can see that dyslexia never truly held me back, but instead shaped me into the person I am today. It taught me resilience when I wanted to give up, determination when others doubted me, and confidence when I proved to myself what I was capable of. From struggling to read in elementary school to earning both a high school diploma and an Associate degree, I’ve proven to myself that challenges can be transformed into strengths. As I continue my education and pursue my dream of becoming a physical therapist, I carry with me the lessons dyslexia has taught me: to work hard, to stay motivated, and to never let obstacles define my potential. Living with dyslexia has not been easy, but it has shaped me into someone who refuses to give up. I hope my story shows that challenges don’t have to limit us, but instead can fuel us. With this same resilience, I will continue my journey in higher education and beyond, proving that determination is stronger than any obstacle.