Age:
Post High School, High School
Reading Level: 4.7
Chapter 1
I can remember the struggles I went through starting as far back as elementary school. That's when I was labeled "L.D." In case you don’t know, that stands for “learning disabled.”
It was in third grade that this label was stamped on my forehead. It’s a label that has stayed with me ever since.
I sailed right through nursery school. It seemed pretty easy to me.
Riding tricycles. Looking out the window. Sitting at the table having a quick snack and drinking apple juice.
I did some exploring while digging in the sandbox. I felt the sand run through my fingers.
I also learned about water. Measuring and pouring, using different measuring cups. The water would trickle down through a funnel and onto the water wheel.
I even learned how to count in Chinese.
The sky was the limit. There were so many things to learn.
I couldn't believe just how fun learning new things had become.
In kindergarten, there was more playing, riding bikes, snack time, and meeting new friends.
Friends who would be with me through this journey for the next twelve years. We were also learning how to tie our shoes—something I remember not being able to do.
Chapter 2
By the third grade, things seemed to change. Work became harder. I realized I was struggling with one of my class assignments.
The assignment was to do research on an animal. Write down as much information as I could on index cards. Then present it in front of the class.
Writing in pencil, you could see where I had used an eraser over and over again. I had to get rid of so many mistakes.
There were so many mistakes because I didn't know what words to use.
Writing sentences was very difficult for me. I knew what I wanted to say. But I could not write it down so that my teacher could understand. I became so frustrated.
The eraser marks were soon red marker from my teacher. Lines and lines of red, showing where I had made errors. Where I needed improvement.
Sadly, this was just the beginning of many mistakes that I would make throughout school.
It wasn’t just a change in my academic ability. There was also a change in who I was becoming.
It was clear to me that I was different. All my friends were finding it out as well.
Before third grade, there were no groups to classify what reading level you were in. In third grade, there were groups. They classified us.
I was now separated from my friends. I was placed in the lowest level possible.
My friends that I had been with since nursery school were all academically smarter than me.
We were now separated, because of my IQ. Something I had no control over.
Chapter 3
Because I was having a hard time with my classes, I couldn't wait for recess.
Outside there weren't any reading groups or labels. I was free!
That is until the teasing started on the playground.
One time my so-called friends approached me during recess. They asked me if I wanted to join their club.
I remember answering them with excitement in my voice, "Yes, please let me be in your club."
But it wasn't going to be that easy. I had to earn it.
My classmates surrounded me, making me feel trapped. It was then that I heard someone say, "In order for you to be cool like us and be in our club, you have to tell us the times table."
Having always struggled with math, I was unable to give them the correct answers.
Laughter soon filled the air as the group of girls left. As they walked away, they told me I was too stupid to be in their club.
I don't know how I got through it. I was holding back tears. I was all alone outside, away from my teachers.
I could see the school in the distance, a place that I felt safe in. But it was far away.
Somehow, I managed to get through the rest of the day.
But then I had to ride on the same school bus with the same girls that teased me earlier on the playground.