I have dysgraphia as well as ADHD. These learning disabilities have held me back from many of the things I wish I could have done. I was diagnosed with my LDs at a young age, so I got help when some of it could be prevented, but even now, writing with paper and pencil and concentrating in class without my medication is almost impossible. My parents knew I was smart, but they always wondered why I couldn’t read my own handwriting or sit still. I had a writing coach of sorts, and it frustrated me because I wanted to be like the other kids and just fit in. It was so frustrating not being able to keep up with the rest of the class when we did written assignments.
I hated my LDs. I thought they were flaws until I realized that many of the smartest people in the world have learning disabilities. I was inspired by this and it made all the difference. I wanted to prove to people that the “flaws” made me who I am. They shaped my whole life and I realized that by trying to be normal and rejecting my LDs, I was only hurting myself. I went from a frustrated kid who struggled to keep up, to an honor roll student in just a year. I hope this inspires you to be the best that you can be.