Why a Learning Disability is Not a Weakness by Isabella

Why a Learning Disability is Not a Weakness by Isabella - May 2021 Scholarship Essay

One of the earliest memories I have is sitting in Kindergarten watching my peers read a book to the class during storytime, and I remember the only thing I ever wanted to do was to be one of the class storytime readers. At the age of five, I was diagnosed with a general learning disability and dyslexia, making learning a slow and challenging process. But no matter how hard learning for me was, the image in my head of reading in front of the class never left me.
Through hard work, countless hours spent with a special education teacher, and a mother who saw a child that was so desperate to learn but couldn’t, I eventually overcame my disabilities to join the honors program at St.Thomas Aquinas College. While those years spent in special education programs were difficult, I still never gave up. Throughout my time in special education classes, I felt that my disability made me feel different from the other students as I was pulled out of the classroom daily for extra help. Over time, I learned that my disabilities were never something to be ashamed of and that what matters is putting in the work and dedication to doing well in school. The work ethic I had to develop as a young child ultimately led to an even stronger work ethic today and helped foster my love of reading.
As an avid reader, not a day goes by that I don’t have at least one or two books that I am currently reading, which helped me land on STAC’s Dean List for five consecutive semesters. Throughout my entire school career, my mother had never let me use my disability as an excuse for why I couldn’t do my work or why I could never accomplish what other students in my class were accomplishing. She taught me that I was just as smart as the other students, and this is what I want all others with learning disabilities to know, that you are no less smart than someone else. I learned my disability put some barriers in my way, and I just had to work harder to overcome these challenges to get where I am today.
Often I feel that learning disabilities have been looked at as a weakness and a barrier between achieving academic success, but I believe that it only makes one stronger and more resilient. A learning disability teaches one how to adapt to different learning methods that meet one’s unique learning style. I dream about a day when a learning disability is not a weakness but a strength towards overcoming challenges.