The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond XXX

“Not only did I
make a new friend,
but I also found
someone who knows
how I learn.”
“I guess Mr. J doesn’t like dumb kids like you.” I sank in my seat. I knew I wasn’t
dumb, but it didn’t help that everyone else thought I was.
The rest of the day was a little better. Even though my dyslexia affects my work
in every class, English seems to be the hardest. I wish I could just skip English
class every day. Finally, it was lunchtime. Lunch was my favorite time of day. I
could relax and not worry about spelling a word wrong or reading aloud. The
only problem was that I had no one to sit with. Just then I heard a voice call out
“Are you in my English class?”
I looked and saw an unfamiliar face. She said, “I have Mr. J’s English class too.
Do you want to sit?”
I smiled, and told her I’d love to! Her name was Lila and she had the friendliest
smile. Before long we were laughing and talking about our favorite teachers.
She asked me if I liked the teacher and I said, “He’s okay.”
Lila’s face turned serious and she said, “I didn’t like the way he treated you today.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Well, I know how it feels to not be able to spell a word right, and sometimes I
get stuck on a word while I’m reading because I have dyslexia,” Lila said.
I interrupted Lila immediately to tell her I was dyslexic, too. We both were so
happy that we had that big thing in common. I was very relieved to find a friend
that I had so much in common with. I didn’t want lunch to end.
On the bus ride home I couldn’t take the smile off my face. Not only did I make
a new friend, but I also found someone who knows how I learn.
As I think back on it, I grew so much. I have had so many different experiences,
some good and some not, but with dyslexia I have learned different things. If I
did not have dyslexia, I would not be where I am today.
Volume XXX
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