Dyslexia is a guest at our house. He runs, plays, sleeps, eats and drinks with us. He studies, writes, draws and colors with us. He giggles, laughs, and cries with us. Most days he’s welcome, some days he’s not. He has challenged us and tried us, past our limits, at times, we thought. But always, he seems to point out a strength we did not know was there. We have argued with him and tried to be logical, but he would not have it so. He is an out-of-the box, unpredictable, creative kind of guy that likes to teach us bit by bit. Not a day goes by that we don’t learn something from him, and usually quite a lot! We have found things that make him more comfortable here and help us along our way. Each step is a process, a part of a memory that we want to cherish. To some, he is a monster, to us, he is a friend. You see, we understand him, so he has blessed us with a gift greater than we could imagine, if we just reach in to take hold of it.

Two of our boys have been blessed with this gift. Through all of their frustration, and their Mom’s fighting for them, one thing remains constant. They are incredible! They have minds that few could compete with, they have hearts more precious than gold, they have morals stronger than Superman, and they have an insight that is deeper than the sea. And they have more patience than Mom can imagine. They learn from their “limitations” and make something better out of the situation. They teach others around them not to judge by a word. They help others that need it, just because they have been there. They lift and empower, they smile and share, they love and forgive better than most because of this gift. I am humbled by the boys they are. I hope to be the kind of person they both are someday. They are better than me, and it is with awe that I am their Mother. I don’t know how I was worthy enough to be given this gift, and twice, but they teach me more than they will ever know.

If we could only all see the gift in others and realize what we can learn. Learning is not all letters and words, it’s not a specific process or pattern, it’s not a multiple choice or even an essay response. It’s more than paper can show. Genius is not defined by a pen. It is in the soul. At least it is in the souls of those I know that have this gift. For sure it is in the souls of those that reside at our house!

I long to hold them close every day, but growing up doesn’t allow that. It means letting go, and in the world of criticism and misunderstanding, that is hard for a mama. But I relax my grip a bit each day, only to tighten my faith and prayers in their behalf. I know this gift will teach them to compensate and become more than they dream they can be. It is a path with stumbles and hills, but beautiful sights on each side. I am thankful they let me walk with them. The views they see are more grand and spectacular than my “normal” path, any day!

Our front door mat says “Welcome” and this guest took it to heart. He made himself at home, and that has made us who we are! It is hard, but it is oh so good. We wouldn’t trade our guest for another- he has taught us what it means to truly live!

One out of five people have this guest in their home. Where is it in yours? Find it and you find your greatest treasure!

Mrs. Shelley,
I was pensive today, and my thoughts overwhelmed me.  This is what came
out of it.  It is my heart- I hope you enjoy it!  I thought of you as I
wrote it!  Thank you for helping us find our treasure!!
We love you,
Candice

Hello everyone!  As you know Matthew entered the Inspirations contest at school and wrote a paper titled “If only I didn’t have Dyslexia”.  He won first place in the 3rd-5th grade division.  He gets to represent his school in the Regional competition.  Below is a copy of his paper. He dictated the sentences to me and I typed for him. I helped him put the sentences in paragraphs but kept his words just as he said them. It is done so well and you just might tear up!  Thanks for all of you who care so much about him.

If only I didn’t have Dyslexia it wouldn’t be so hard for me to read.  I wouldn’t feel so much pressure when I have to take a timed test. I like spelling words but it’s harder for me.  Sometimes it’s hard for me to grip a pencil. It is hard to learn over and under and left and right and yesterday and tomorrow.    Cleaning out my closet feels like too much.  I feel under pressure and don’t know where to start.  When I read and reread and still don’t understand it doesn’t feel too good. If someone says “dude, you’re not a good reader”  I really actually feel quite bad. Sometimes when I’m really worried about something I have stomach aches.

But if only I didn’t have Dyslexia I wouldn’t have ever met my tutor Shelley. She has taught me that only e, i, or y come after a k or with ck at the end of the word. She has taught me about final stable syllables like ble, dle, tle, stle.  There’s a lot of them!  And stle says “sul” like castle.

I wouldn’t have gone to a new school in 3rd grade and I wouldn’t have met all my friends. I had to learn to talk to my teachers about my Dyslexia so they could help me.  It made me nervous but after I would say “hey, I did it”.  It’s really cool that I have to struggle so that I can know what other people feel like.  It helps me want to help people more.  The way I learn is different than other people because I have Dyslexia but it’s ok.  It’s ok because I’m still a person.

If only I didn’t have Dyslexia I wouldn’t have learned that if I take one thing at a time I can get the whole thing done easy.  I wouldn’t have learned to say “What? I have Dyslexia. It’s no big deal dude”.   Even though I have Dyslexia I have a lot of potential. I am smart. If only I didn’t have Dyslexia I wouldn’t be me!

Written by Matthew Bulpitt

EDUCATION MEETING

Sponsored by the

LEARNING DISABILITIES ASSOCIATION OF UTAH

Accommodations in the Classroom

Presented by

Wendy Carver, Education Specialist

Utah State Office of Education

Wendy Carver will talk about accommodations used in the classroom and for year-end testing.  She will discuss how to determine what accommodations students really need and how accommodations help them receive equal access to grade level content.  This presentation is for teachers and for parents of students with an IEP or 504 plan.

When:  Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Time:  7:00 PM

Where: Provo City Library – Academy Square

550 N. University Ave., Provo, Utah

Reading is a skill.  It must be taught as a skill just as cutting a stone to a desired form must be taught.  Whether or not the stonecutter becomes a great sculptor or only chisels out building blocks depends upon many factors, but he must first learn to cut stone.  Whether or not the child becomes a great explorer in the realm of literature or is always limited to newspapers and comics depends upon his native endowment and the cultural atmosphere with which we surround him.  At all events he must acquire the skill to translate seen symbols into meaningful words.  Some children acquire this skill with little conscious effort on their part or ours.  Others must be taught this skill with step-by-step planned technique.  In some way this skill must be acquired.  **Anna Gillingham**

Shelley Hatch and Nanci Ross have been tutoring and testing children with dyslexia for the past eleven years. Shelley is a 2 yr.  certified Slingerland tutor, (classroom adaptation of Orton-Gillingham) and uses this multi-sensory-kinesthetic approach with Alphabetic Phonics. Nanci has a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Reading Disablities. Nanci also has extensive training in the area of Dyslexia and is a Certified Dyslexia Diagnostician, Trainer and InstructorThrough this proven approach students will work on reading, spelling, hand writing, oral language, grammar and comprehension skills. 
Phone: 801-756-1933 (Utah County) Shelley Hatch