Letter From "Tiffany"

My name is Tiffany, and I am a different kind of learner.

Having a learning difference simply means that I learn in different ways and use different areas of my brain to solve problems, and figure things out.

In the fifth grade, I was having a difficult time writing my thoughts down on paper. My work was disorganized and scattered, and it took me ten times longer to do my homework. I hated to read my assignments because it was painfully difficult. However, soon after I started working with a tutor at school, she found the best programs to teach my mind how to accomplish these tasks. She gave me tools, strategies and taught me cool and useful tricks. Slowly, I became a fine student.

More importantly, I learned to like my brain! It's exciting. Now that I'm older, I can see the gifts I have been given and I am grateful to finally recognize them. We often don't appreciate our own talents when they come so easily to us.

Maybe you sing like Brittany Spears, play basketball like Shaq or turn a piece of paper into a masterpiece like Van Gogh. Some of you can fix things and others have good skills for keeping friends and bringing people together. Several of you love to tell stories, love science, love animals, or love nature. You'll find your strengths as you explore life.

It wasn't until high school that my talents began to shine. I graduated with honors from a college preparatory school. Imagine - with honors! I was the President of my Senior class, a member and leader of many clubs and committees, captain of the varsity tennis team, and my life was full of friends and fun. I am sharing this with you because it is important for you to know that LD can work in your favor; in fact, I am a much better person because of it.

I am now a junior in college achieving good grades and having, as my parents say, too much fun! In my freshman year of college, I had a job where I learned to trade stocks in the market. I did well investing, and I could have paid for my tuition. The following summer, I worked in the marketing department of an Internet company and had a blast. Both of these experiences gave me the confidence to know that, with an LD, I can succeed in a highly technological world. Because of my brain and the techniques I apply to learning, I am prepared to meet the tasks ahead.

My reason for sharing these thoughts and experiences with you is to encourage you to not get discouraged when schoolwork is frustrating and difficult. Remember you are smart, and don't let anyone bring down your spirit.

There are millions of people similar to us. The down side is that school will be difficult at times, and homework may be extremely time consuming until you get the hang of it. Keep in mind, most classrooms aren't equipped to give us the programs and tools we require to learn. There is good news though -- with special programs and tutoring you will learn how to learn!

My advice is to (1) ask for help, (2) work hard with the person who is helping you and, most importantly, (3) never give up! If you don't learn one way, you'll find another. In the long term, you'll be better off than the students who had schoolwork come easily.

Countless people with LD have gone on to be the best in their field. Not in grades, mind you -- more important than that -- in LIFE!

If you would like to write me or have questions for me, you can contact me at Tiffany@Haan4Kids.org. Below, I have created a list of some "unique learners." I'll bet some of these names will surprise you, your family and friends!

Good Luck!
Tiffany

Billionaires John Chambers,   Cisco Systems Charles Schwab,   Charles Schwab Larry Ellison,   Oracle Richard Branson,   Virgin Enterprises Directors Steven Spielberg George Lucas Scientists Albert Einstein Alexander Graham Bell Thomas Edison

Artists Walt Disney Leonardo De Vinci Pablo Picasso Actors Harrison Ford Tom Cruise Robin Williams Athletes Magic Johnson Nolan Ryan Greg Louganis

Letter From "Giano"

Challenges are odd. They can defeat you or they can help you to become stronger maybe even wiser than you were before. My challenge is not a one-time event. It is with me as I write this essay. But now I have come to know its good sides. I am a dyslexic learner. I always have been and I always will be.

I have fought my disadvantages since I was in second grade. I had a tutor named Betsy Drobish three times a week for four years. My tutor is very supportive, so it was always fun to go to her. I always loved to get candy when I was working well in the session. When I used to get down on myself for not being able to read, she was always the one to bring me back up. Betsy tutors lots of kids and she told me how gifted I am and how I handle thinking about complex subjects much better than most adults she knows.

Today I am a good reader and no one can tell I am dyslexic. This has taught me that if you really work at something you can get anything accomplished (maybe not jump off a 200 story building and survive, but almost anything).

Much of the research my mom supports is to help children with reading problems, especially ones who are not lucky enough to afford a tutor. Her foundation supports lots of scientists who are working on new reading programs to help kids, even if they are in high school and no one has taught them yet. I helped a scientist from Harvard University three years ago. Her name is Dr. Maryanne Wolfe and she is a jolly lady. She got into studying dyslexia after discovering her son is a dyslexic learner, too. She asked two classmates and me to test out her new program, called Rave-O, that has computer games for reading. We made changes and now she is publishing her program. Recently, I have helped another bunch of scientists to create a program for older readers. These experiences have helped me change my feeling about my challenges and made me more willing to help other kids, too.

But something else also did. One aspect that most people don’t know about is the strength in visuals areas and problem solving areas of a dyslexic’s mind. My Pops teases me because I can see things that he never even noticed. Evidently I am a visual genius, which everyone else thinks is a big deal. But, to me it is just normal and easy, and I wonder what all the fuss is about. Other very successful people are dyslexic and running some of America’s best companies today: Charles Schwab, John Chambers, he runs Cisco Systems, Larry Ellison, he runs Oracle, and Richard Branson, he runs Virgin Records. They all had trouble with reading and writing, but their minds are very creative problem solvers. Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison were dyslexic too. I guess, like these guys, my challenge is now more of my invisible friend than my enemy.

Giano
8th grade

You can email Giano at Giano@Haan4Kids.org