Excerpt from "A Different Life"
by Quinn Bradlee
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Quinn's Guide to Friendship, Dating and Self-Confidence
People always want to know what it "feels like" to have VCFS, or to be learning disabled. It's hard for me to answer, because my life is my life, and it's hard to know what's normal for me that's normal for other people and what's normal for me that isn't normal for other people. What's normal?
- Untitled Comment
Nancy Rose Steinbock
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 02:50 PMre: Untitled Comment
Quinn Bradlee
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 01:51 PMThank you so much for your post. I know what you mean when you say there are countries that consider kids with learning disabilities as lazy and stupid when that is not the case. I can only imagine the hard times kids and parents go through in foreign countries, because they already struggle enough here.
The first girl I ever had a crush on was French; her mom was American and her dad was French. She had to a boarding school in the U.S. because they didn't believe in learning disabilities, at least not back then. I am hoping to change that in all countries, that is my primary long term goal. My other goal is to make kids with LD feel more comfortable talking about it.
P.S.
I have been to Venice before as well as Rome and Milan and Sicly before and really love Italy. I am terribly interested in Genealogy and have discovered that I am decended from the Visconti family who lived back in the 13th century.
replyre: re: Untitled Comment
Nancy Rose Steinbock
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 02:26 PMDear Quinn,
Thanks for replying. Unfortunately, as hard as it has been for many kids in America, the process of change has barely even started here and it will be many years before there is significant awareness and intervention that will save students the shame, frustration and lack of opportunity that comes from being disabled. It is very hard to see it happening. I was in school the other day and the preside (principal) told me that a little boy in one of her nursery schools was designated as 'special needs' but there was no money for a special needs teacher. Imagine!
I am just now beginning to do workshops on dyslexia (if you would like, you can visit the website of Inglese Dinamico at www.inglesedinamico.com). Hopefully, you can also spread your work into countries like Italy to give an important voice to the issues that you face and the work you have done to minimize or try to overcome your challenges. And, if you come back to Venice, make sure to contact me!
Nancy
replyre: re: re: Untitled Comment
Greta
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 08:26 PMSuper excited to see more of this kind of stuff olnnie.
replyre: re: Untitled Comment
Carlye
Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 09:32 AMI feel satsfiied after reading that one.
replyre: re: Untitled Comment
Issy
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 07:41 PMThat hits the traegt dead center! Great answer!
reply - your book
cheriresh
Friday, March 27, 2009 at 01:10 AMHi Quinn, My name is Cheri Resh. I have a 15 year old with nonverbal learning disorder. I googled your web site a few weeks ago and asked a question about it . Today I was looking at Newsweek saw the article about your book. I just wanted to say that I am excited about your book too and I will be looking for it at the bookstore. Also wanted to thank you for such a great and helpful website. I posted a blog too. Hopefully, people will read it and I will be able to talk to some parents that have children with nonverbal learning disorder. My goal is to find out more about it not just from text books and professionals but from parents and their experiences. Thanks for sharing your experiences. They were very helpful. Look forward to reading your book and talking to you soon. Cheri Resh
replyre: your book
Merrily Sandford
Friday, April 03, 2009 at 10:23 AMHi Cheri. My daughter has nonverbal learning disorder also and she is 12. I am so excited to go out and get Quinn's book and to learn of this website. For years it seems like I have been alone trying to find answers and help for my daughter. She has made huge strides-but still not "there" yet. Quinn is a phenomenal young man! What a miracle! I believe all of these kids have gifts!
Merrily Sandford, Austin, Texas.
replyre: your book
Quinn Bradlee
Thursday, June 04, 2009 at 10:45 AMHello there and thanks for writing in. I am so very glad to hear that you find this website helpfull and usefull. I am also glad to hear that you have posted a blog, I hope that you write more. Welcome to the family. -Quinn
reply - Untitled Comment
Neil B.
Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 09:25 PMQuinn
I can understand where your coming from I might not have LD
but I have several health problems which have gave me major setbacks in my life.
It takes time to cope with everything. but just take one thing and one day at a time.
I can't wait to read your book I ordered it from Amazon.com today.
reply - Great book!
ast271
Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at 11:28 AMI just finished your book. I didnt want to put it down. Thank you for taking the time to write your story. My daughter has VCFS, and you are an inspiration to all of us.
replyre: Great book!
Quinn Bradlee
Friday, April 03, 2009 at 08:38 PMI am so very glad that I can help and you are always welcome here at friendsofquinn.com If you ever have any questions at all just ask. Don't be affraid.
replyre: re: Great book!
Ron Stevens
Monday, April 06, 2009 at 12:33 PMHello Quinn. I am so pleased for you and all your success. My wife and I will definitley get your book. Thank you for writing it and for making your website
Our little boy Rees was diagnosed with VCFS last May, at age 2 1/2. We were devastated and very scared when we found out. But I think we are lucky because we didn't even know he had it until last year. He has had his heart and all other organs checked and everything is healthy, thank God.
His Mom was on the ball and knew there was some issue with his speeech. He is now in intensive speech tharapy and we are praying that that will be the extent of our issues. But of course, we know there will probably be other LD problems too and we are bracing ourselves for this.
Rees will be 4 in September and he is a bright and happy little boy. We have already taken him skiing and he likes it a lot. I am sure I will be introducing him to snow boarding soon too!
We have been so worried, but seeing you and hearing about how great your life is going really gives us hope for Rees.
Does anyone know if there has ever been anyone with VCFS that did not have LD or other mental health issues please?
Thanks again and good luck with everything.
Maybe we will see you on top of the mountain some time soon Quinn!
Good luck!!!
replyre: re: re: Great book!
Quinn Bradlee
Monday, April 06, 2009 at 03:40 PMHi there! Reese already seems like he is doing better than I am. Everybody has issues in life weather or not they have any kind of learning disabilities or not. I think that your son is in for a good life and though there may be struggles to come, whenever he over comes it, all that hard work of fighting them will be worth it. Thanks for writing in and sharing your story. - Quinn
replyre: re: re: re: Great book!
Bubbie
Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 06:16 AMYou got to push it-this esetsnial info that is!
replyre: re: re: re: Great book!
Randhil
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 08:15 PMI'm not wrohty to be in the same forum. ROTFL
replyre: re: re: Great book!
Ronalee
Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 11:33 PMIf my problem was a Death Star, this article is a poohtn torpedo.
reply - You on Imus
Hyacinth
Thursday, April 16, 2009 at 09:30 AMYou gave a great interview when you were on Imus with and your mom this week. That you can step out of your so called disability and explain it to others is helpful to others, and perhaps theraputic for you. You are lucky to have a mom who recognized your potential to be all you can be when you were a kid.
Great good luck!
Hyacinth Persad
NYC
replyre: You on Imus
Quinn Bradlee
Thursday, June 04, 2009 at 10:48 AMHello and thank you for your comment. I know that I am a lucky person to have a mom like mine and hope that one day all mother will learn from my mom. Being in the media can be very theraputic because you do infact learn a lot about yourself.
reply - What is normal
Patti
Friday, April 17, 2009 at 01:04 AMQuinn,
Your discussion of what is normal for you and what is normal for others is so pertinent to my son's life. John was diagnosed at 20 months with a rare disease called LCH, Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis. We had to learn to adjust to a "new normal." He is 16 years old now. In the last 14 years he has experieneced learning disabilities as well as scoliosis and slow physical growth due to chemotheraphy. He does have similar issues as you with distinguishing social cues from his peers.
Your book has been so helpful to read. I can view John's perspective more clearly by reading about your experiences. It gives us hope that John will be able to transition to adult life in a few years. Thank you for your courage and insight in writing about your life.
In the end, there really isn't a normal, only a different life for everyone.
Patti
replyre: What is normal
Quinn Bradlee
Thursday, June 04, 2009 at 10:51 AMHello Pati! You are so very right when you say that there is no such thing as normal, I couldn't agree with you more. I hope that one day the world will learn to see that there really is no such thing as normal.
reply - my son
olliesanz40
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at 11:55 AMI have a 5 year old with VCF. He is quite the character but alot of people do not get him - I was awed to see you on the View & try to live with the hope that he will do well & be happy - Riley's mom
replyre: my son
Quinn Bradlee
Thursday, June 04, 2009 at 10:53 AMHello Riley's mom. I am so glad to hear that I have given you hope; I just hope that one day all people will see that we all have problems.
reply - Thank-you Quinn!
Carrie
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at 12:37 PMYou and your family is an inspiration to those like myself who have a child with a LD. The more voices like yours that are heard the more our children will be heard and understood!
So Thank-you for making a difference in the lives of other's with your story!!
replyre: Thank-you Quinn!
Quinn Bradlee
Thursday, June 04, 2009 at 10:54 AMHello Carrie. You words have inspired me to keep on educating people and I thank you very mcuh for that.
reply - Untitled Comment
Mama C
Sunday, May 03, 2009 at 08:58 AMHi Quinn - How can I ever thank you enough for letting us all know how VCFS has affected your life? I have a daughter who is 20, and she was just telling me how controlling I am last week! LOL! Your mom and I sound alot alike! Everything you talk about, I see my daughter dealing with. She was fortunate to not have any heart problems, but she has had a long history of speech problems, mild learning disabilities, and the first time she came to pick me up at the airport, she got lost for 2 hours before finding the airport! Once we connected, we spent another hour trying to figure out where she had parked the car. And she is my hero. I love her with all my heart, and yes, God help anyone who whould hurt her. One of the things that has been difficult for her is that she is always getting sick. Is that somehting that has been a problem for you? You know, any cold, flu, virus that comes along, she picks up. How have you dealt with that? Well Quinn, know that you have a super fan in Colorado. You shine!
replyre: Untitled Comment
Quinn Bradlee
Thursday, June 04, 2009 at 10:59 AMHello Mamma C and thanks for your kind words. I use to get sick all the time and use to catch everything that was going around in the air. But one day, I just stopped getting sick. I think that my amune system just got strong one day, and I don't know if it is something that you grow out of or not, but I did and I am so very thankfull for. I also sometimes for get where I park my car in the garage at work, but do eventually find it. I wish all the best to you and your family.
replyre: Untitled Comment
Olivia
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 07:58 PMI'm impressed! You've managed the alsomt impossible.
reply - Cheap GHD Straighteners
GHD Straighteners
Monday, September 26, 2011 at 03:42 AM - dcnSxOCKsRPtEIIFLz
Mircea
Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 08:56 AMYou've got to be kdiding me-it's so transparently clear now!
reply - RSgkeNlZE
Nevaeh
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 10:29 PMYou get a lot of respect from me for writing these hlepufl articles.
reply
Answer a Question
did you ever had learning disabilities to
Learning Disability Resources, Tips and Tools
Dear Quinn,
This is the response which I wrote for Newsweek, but it wouldn't post. So, I've joined your blog and here is my response to your very insightful piece in the magazine: "Quinn is 26. This is how the vast majority of 26 year olds express themselves. . .I have a son who is 24 and I believe that we were the generation that relaxed the barriers of what constitutes the behavioral use of language. Yes, there is a time and place but times have changed. He reflects his peers. I worked for years as a speech/language pathologist in America. My hat is off to both his parents (and that insistent mother!) who pushed and shoved so that Quinn could even get to the level of self-awareness that he has. For those of us who don't struggle with learning disabilities and chronic health problems (trust me, math anxiety doesn't count), we cannot imagine the interior challenges facing such folks as Quinn and his parents. Imagine struggling to get that camera lens in focus and the hours and hours of language therapy, learning therapy and support that have to go into it. It can be daunting and always, I tried to keep that in mind when treating kids and hopefully, in some positive way, supporting mothers and dads. Raising children without special needs is nerve-wracking enough in today's world -- even with money and services, making sure that Quinn and his fellow learning-disabled students grow with self-respect and self-dignity is far harder than we can imagine along with the ordinary aspirations of learning to read/write and be productive and valued.
I live now in a country that is just barely beginning to address the needs of challenged learners and then, not with the resources and personnel that will really make a difference in these students lives. My daughter has been in public schools here for over 6 years and is sure that some kids labeled 'lazy' or 'stupid' are in fact, struggling with the effects of language-learning disabilities, attention-deficit problems and the like. She sees the negative results -- drop-outs, depression, acting-out behavior -- and wishes more were done. Maybe voices such as Quinn's from a first-person perspective will make a difference even in countries like Italy where even the minimum assistance is a near-impossibility to obtain. Good luck with your site!"
Nancy Rose Steinbock, M.A., CCC-SLP
Director
Inglese Dinamico
Venice, Italy
reply