dys·lex·i·a

dəsˈleksēə/

noun

noun: dyslexia

1. a general term for disorders that involve difficulty in learning to read or interpret words,

letters, and other symbols, but that do not affect general intelligence.

Dyslexia Is something I have lived with throughout my entire life. I have

struggled with it, cried because I had it, and felt like I was an outsider because of it; But

one thing I learned with time is that dyslexia made me stronger, not only emotionally but

as a person too. It made me be the best version of myself. When I was growing up I

was harshly bullied for many different, unexplainable reasons, but the biggest one of all

was my dyslexia. Today I know that all the bullying that I went through and the pain I felt

made me stronger. I did not know it back then, but looking back I can see how good it

was for me to go through the things that I did.

I always had a hard time at school because I was dyslexic. I got diagnosed with

dyslexia when I was six years old. I had teachers that were not able to understand why I

could not learn the traditional way. One important thing about dyslexia that people do

not understand, or just do not know, is that dyslexia is caused by a phonological

processing problem (Hurley, 2013). This means that people with dyslexia, like me, have

a hard time manipulating language, not with seeing it (Hurley, 2013). Dyslexia affects

about one in five people in different severities (Hurley, 2013). It affects everyone who

has it in a different way.

The brain is divided into two hemispheres. The left hemisphere, also known as

the left brain, is in charge of things like language, math and science (Hurley, 2013). The

right hemisphere, known as the right brain, is responsible for things like creativity,

intuition, music, and my favorite, art (Hurley, 2013). People with dyslexia rely more on

their right hemisphere (Hurley, 2013). It is more difficult for a dyslexic person to read a

word because it takes longer for it to travel through the brain (Hurley, 2013). But the

brains of people with dyslexia can physically change, improving reading skills (Hurley,

2013).

You see, when I was growing up I always felt like the dumb one at school. That

is what my classmates, as well as my teachers, made me believe. At some point the

struggle at school became so difficult, that my parents decided it would be the best

decision to homeschool me. Homeschooling was the best thing that has ever happened

to me. I found out who I truly was; I found out that I was much smarter and stronger

than what the traditional school system made me believe. By having the freedom to be

myself, I was able to discover a deep passion for expression through all arts. I first

began with wheel throwing, moved on to drawing, then reached to photography and then finally found Fashion Through fashion, I am able to capture feelings through clothes, seeing how great it can make people feel!

Being in public school with dyslexia was extremely difficult, but it was also a very

important character development experience. I learned how to live with dyslexia and

how to embrace it. I know today that I can do everything and anything I set my mind to,

just in a different light and a different way than others may approach it. No matter how

dyslexic I was, am and will be, I will always have it. I will always conquer it. I will always love it. Dyslexia helped me find art. Art will always be a part of my life, just like Dyslexia

will be, and I will always love them both. They are a part of me, they make me a better

person, and have contributed to who I am today. I thank you, dyslexia, for showing me

how great it is to be different.

Emily Druyan

Citations:

Sandman-Hurley, Kelli. (2013, July 15). What