As I walked out of my public school classroom, I thought about why I had to be so different and why school had to be so challenging. My dad was in the Air Force and mom was a medical attorney, so we moved to California when they changed jobs. However, I was used to feeling different and being the new kid in school. I was also born with a very rare genetic disorder called hemophilia. In a sense, I was different before I was even born since I was diagnosed while my mom was still pregnant. Growing up with a genetic disorder brought challenges to having a "normal" childhood. But, the learning disability I have is much more of a challenge.
I have dysgraphia along with a “little bit” of ADD! Ha ha. Boy did I win the genetic lottery or what? Dysgraphia means my brain struggles with spelling, and that makes writing very slow and difficult. All of you know how much writing and note-taking we do so you can relate to the difficulty this situation brings. It made me feel stupid because assignments took way longer to do, and it was harder for me to do the easier class and homework assignments. For example in the middle of 7th grade, I was spending over 4 hours a night completing homework. Not fun. However, I did not back down from public school. As easy as it would have been for me to just give up and not do the work (plus my parents wouldn’t have let me), I decided that I needed to find ways to adapt my spelling and writing abilities. I also discovered that I had to fight for public school accommodations. My old schools did not want to provide additional aid, but I learned to advocate for myself to gain these accommodations. Another thing I had to accept was that I needed help. I hated to admit needing support, because it made me feel like I was giving up on something that I needed to do by myself.
At the end of 7th grade, the constant fighting with the public school administration led me and my parents to find a school that would allow me to learn the way my brain works in a place that was okay with that. We looked all over Southern California and discovered Rolling Hills Prep and Ren. It was a match made in heaven! It wasn’t easy by any means, but I was able to go to class and complete assignments and take tests in a way that was accommodating to me. Along the way, I also started to learn the skills that will be needed for college and take advantage of technological tools to help with classwork. The awesome teachers and learning specialists were patient and kind. I have been able to figure out how I learn information and to look for the warning signs when my brain will start going off task. I am sure I would not be in this position to head off to college with these skills if I had stayed in public school.
You are defined by how you meet life's challenges. They are an opportunity to find out who you are and help build character. I came into this world having to fight every day. I have been fighting hemophilia since I was born and dysgraphia since 2nd grade. Nothing has come easy for me in life, which means I appreciate learning and applying new ideas, methods, and processes to problems.
Shut Outs
Mr. Brammah, thank you for being the greatest advisor. We’ve had and sticking with us for more than one year.
Mr. Spencer. Thank you for helping me with comp side because I would be completely lost without your guidance. I will miss our gaming discussions next year.
miss Blanchett, I’ve probably spent almost as much time with you as with my actual family. I don’t know what I would do if you didn’t have your office hours open.
Miss Collins, Thank you for getting me through online learning. Without your dedication I’m pretty sure I would’ve just stop doing work.
To all my teachers, who I do not have time to name. I want to say a collective sorry for the unprecedented amount of late work I have turned into you guys over the years.
Ryan, Gabe and Braden. Thank you guys for being my best friend of the years. I know I will miss our little escapades when we go off to college.
Grandma and grandpa thank you guys for the opportunity to let me go to the school. It has changed my life and we cannot have done it without you.
Max, thank you for being a little brother. Even though we fight sometimes, and get on each other’s nerves, you’re still the best brother I have.
Mom, and dad thank you guys for taking care of me for all these years. And I’m pretty sure I’ve taken off multiple years of your lives with my trouble making throughout the school years. You guys are my backbone and support, thank you.