Where I Am Now

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by IrishGrl4eva87
Saturday, October 17, 2009

Being as it is Learning Disabilities Awareness Month, I just wanted to let people know that it is possible for a person with a learning disability to be successful.  I have been diagnosed with a non-verbal learning disability since I was born and have been classified all throughout my schooling since 2nd grade.  I am living with a syndrome called, Vilo Cardio Facial Syndrome, VCFS, and all of my doctors underestimated my successes I would have throughout my life. They thought I wouldn't get past as a sophomore in high school, graduate, let alone go to college, drive, and many other things.  But, knowing me and my role in life, it has been proving all those doctors who doubted me.

I am 21 years old and currently a senior at Ramapo College of New Jersey (a Liberal Arts 4 year school).  I graduated from Brookdale Community College in December 2008 with my associate's degree with a 3.1 GPA. My degree is in Early Childhood Education and right now I am studying for my psychology degree along with a teacher certification. I plan to take the Praxis Exam I (NJ's teaching exam- you have to pass the Praxis II in order to be certified).

I would have never thought I would make it this far. I remember when I got my acceptance letter I was so surprised; I didn't think I could do it. But I did.. As of now I have 2 semesters left to finish my degree in psychology and we will see what happens with my Praxis exam. Parents of LD students need to learn that we are capable of success, it might just take us a little longer and we need the right push in order for us to apply ourselves. I would have never gotten to Ramapo, my senior year, if I didn't work hard. That, right there, is key to success.  I plan to become a special ed teacher and encourage students that have LD's to never ever give up no matter who tells them they think they can't do it. I've been doing it my whole and it has never failed.

I never gave up on myself even when I thought I couldn't make it and I'm still going. LD awareness month is a great time because we are growing as a community and people need to realize that if you doubt our capabilities, we will doubt ourselves and we won't push ourselves to be successful.  When I become a special ed teacher, I plan to make apparent that we need more help than we recieve if we want to succeed. Let us be independent, make mistakes, because I know I have grown as a person from being out on my own. Work hard and never give up is my motto for my blog.. there is hope and we have to keep going to the end of the tunnel to see the light.. and when you see the light it's all going to be worth it because YOU did the work, no one else. And no one can take that away from you.