When I was in the first grade I was diagnosed with not just one, but three learning disabilities. My doctor told me I had dyslexia, auditory learning processing disorder, and an eye teaming disorder. Auditory learning processing disorder means I have a hard time understanding and remembering the information given to me. With the eye teaming disorder I have double vision and I usually get headaches from looking at something too long, or reading something with too much effort.
Addison is a Criminal Justice Sophomore.
Growing up, I had a hard time with school. After I was diagnosed, I had to learn how to learn in a completely new way. It was extremely hard on me and my family. Since I was in eye therapy for a year, I made a lot of progress. However, we couldn’t afford going after the first year. I stopped going at all.
All throughout elementary and high school I struggled greatly. In college, I still had problems, but at this point I was used to struggling.
When I started attending college, I declared my disability and I got some of the help I need. For instance, I have an extended time to take my test, and can record my lessons. It isn’t much, but it does help me. I also sometimes have a limited version of a test, which takes less time, but it also affects my grade more if I have a question wrong. The other thing that helps me is that instructors give me my notes ahead of time so I can start studying before time.
I currently have help from the Student Support Services. It is a small federally-funded organization on the second floor of Newton Hall. The people there help me advising me, they gave me a scholarship, and have resources for people like me to succeed.
Although I receive all of these benefits, I study twice as hard, it seems, to pass. Some people might see my grades and think that they are not good enough, but I am proud of what they are, since it was so hard for me to achieve them. For example, in high school, my highest grade was a 68%, and I was very proud because I studied for it and earned it.
I may never get a 4.0, but I will graduate college and I will walk across that stage with my head held up.
Campus Perspectives is a monthly column providing insight from students of different backgrounds.
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