My journey started when I got diagnosed with Dyslexia in grade one which has affected my reading, writing, and speaking. Having a learning disability presented a prevalent challenge both in and out of the classroom. Throughout elementary school and high school, I would spend extensive hours on school work and programs to strengthen my abilities. This led me to experience exhaustion and burnout since I was having to work my brain harder to focus and process information. As a child, I had a hard time expressing my emotions and dealing with my frustrations. My experience with a learning disability label has often been accompanied by a negative connotation within the educational system. My peers often viewed me as being “not intelligent” and I was often faced with the expression that “I won't be successful”. In elementary school and high school using the different resource supports and being in applied classes would make me feel embarrassed. I would often make fun of myself to my peers to mask my true feeling about learning differently. I would ignore my struggles and push them aside, all of these negative emotions built up after many years. It wasn’t until I started College where I began to process the acceptance of my unique learning style. There was a turning point for me in which I took ownership of my abilities, regained my self-esteem and was motivated to excel. I truly felt like I was capable of success. The three factors that helped me to graduate from Seneca College with Honours in my diploma program and to currently continue to work towards my degree from Guelph-Humber University is: advocating for myself, using resources that helped with my learning disability, and developing resilience. I stopped feeling ashamed of my learning disability, instead I would use my accommodations without feeling guilty. I used my assistive technology in school and took time to better myself by completing a Reading & Writing Program at the age 21. The Reading Program not only enhanced my ability to complete my assignments more effectively, but also increased my confidence. I have built a strong support team around me that motivates and believes in me both in my personal and academic life.  They never looked at me as different and always encouraged me to accomplish my goals and strive for more. Being a girl with a learning disability has led me to develop perfectionism, anxiety and poor self-esteem. As I began to prioritize myself, I learned new ways to cope by attending counselling support. Even though I still have challenges within my life and education I know how to handle issues in a healthy and proactive way. Throughout my life I thought I failed so many times. However, those moments in which I didn't grasp information right away, got bad grades and even dropped out of my first attempt in University, were never about failure but were only obstacles to my personal success story. I thank myself for showcasing strength and courage and for never giving up on my dreams surrounding education. For once I am excited to be in school and for the future with my educational path, as the sky's the limit knowing I have so much more I want to accomplish like obtaining my Master and becoming a Social Worker.

Being Dyslexic is my own super power because it helps me to view the world with a different lens. Having Dyslexia strengthened my abilities of abstract thinking, creativity and problem-solving which has enriched my personal and professional life. I have excelled within my career and continue to work with supporting individuals within the Mental Health and Disability Community. My career has brought me much success in my life. I am eager to spread awareness and advocate for individuals of all ages who have a Learning Disability. It is important to not let labels define them or stop them from chasing their goals. We are capable of so much even though our pathway may look different.