Personal Narrative: Overcoming Learning Disability
“The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after being through the boiling water, its insides became hardened.” I have had to fight to be understood and to succeed in school because of my learning disability. My abilities are simultaneously overestimated and underestimated as a “gifted” child that also has Dyscalculia. I have had to change my outlook on people’s perceptions of me and my situation to thrive. Just like the egg I have had to change who I am to overcome adversity.
As far back as first grade I can remember being scolded for carelessness, laziness, and sloppiness. My parents and teachers would tell me that I was “too bright” to be a bad student and that I needed to try harder in class.
This frustrated me as I knew that I was doing my best. When I failed Pre-Algebra in 7th grade my mom realized that I was genuinely struggling and decided to have me tested for any learning disabilities. A few weeks later I sat in my school office and listened while the guidance counselor explained that I have a learning disability that mainly affects my math abilities, organization skills, and memory. It’s called Dyscalculia.
I immediately became furious at my teachers and parents. I had been struggling for so long and they just told me that it was my fault! But then I also felt like it was my fault for having a problem. I was confused and upset for a while. However all of my mixed emotions turned to happiness when I realized that I was going to receive the help I needed. I thought that I was in the clear. I thought the rest of my school career would be easy because I finally had answers to the questions that haunted me, like “what’s wrong with me?” or “Why don’t they believe that I’m trying?” I thought my troubles were gone.
. Being labeled as a student with a disability made my life a whole new sort of complicated. Some of my classmates have thought of me as stupid and have had no problem telling me how they feel. Even some teachers act as if just because I need extra help with fractions that I don’t know when I’m being talked down to. Most people treat me with basic human respect but every once in a while someone will call me an idiot just because I get my left and right confused. On one hand I’ve been told that I’m extremely smart, even “gifted” and on the other I’ve been told that I “am so f***ing retarded.” All of those conflicting adjectives confused me profusely; I had no idea what to think of myself.
My Dyscalculia has given me a great gift. From all of that confusion I got to realize my self-worth on my own. I grew thick skin and learned not lose sleep over the opinions of people that resort to taunting. Five years ago if someone called me a name I believed them. Now after enduring my pot of boiling water I have transformed from an insecure person to one who is self-confident. Just like a hard-boiled egg I became strong and incognizant to name calling, truly changing for the better.
As far back as first grade I can remember being scolded for carelessness, laziness, and sloppiness. My parents and teachers would tell me that I was “too bright” to be a bad student and that I needed to try harder in class.
This frustrated me as I knew that I was doing my best. When I failed Pre-Algebra in 7th grade my mom realized that I was genuinely struggling and decided to have me tested for any learning disabilities. A few weeks later I sat in my school office and listened while the guidance counselor explained that I have a learning disability that mainly affects my math abilities, organization skills, and memory. It’s called Dyscalculia.
I immediately became furious at my teachers and parents. I had been struggling for so long and they just told me that it was my fault! But then I also felt like it was my fault for having a problem. I was confused and upset for a while. However all of my mixed emotions turned to happiness when I realized that I was going to receive the help I needed. I thought that I was in the clear. I thought the rest of my school career would be easy because I finally had answers to the questions that haunted me, like “what’s wrong with me?” or “Why don’t they believe that I’m trying?” I thought my troubles were gone.
. Being labeled as a student with a disability made my life a whole new sort of complicated. Some of my classmates have thought of me as stupid and have had no problem telling me how they feel. Even some teachers act as if just because I need extra help with fractions that I don’t know when I’m being talked down to. Most people treat me with basic human respect but every once in a while someone will call me an idiot just because I get my left and right confused. On one hand I’ve been told that I’m extremely smart, even “gifted” and on the other I’ve been told that I “am so f***ing retarded.” All of those conflicting adjectives confused me profusely; I had no idea what to think of myself.
My Dyscalculia has given me a great gift. From all of that confusion I got to realize my self-worth on my own. I grew thick skin and learned not lose sleep over the opinions of people that resort to taunting. Five years ago if someone called me a name I believed them. Now after enduring my pot of boiling water I have transformed from an insecure person to one who is self-confident. Just like a hard-boiled egg I became strong and incognizant to name calling, truly changing for the better.